Patent Publication Number: US-9415288-B2

Title: Basketball shot training system and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/704,976, filed Sep. 24, 2012 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/681,548, filed Aug. 9, 2012, and which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In the game of basketball, players throw the ball at the basket with the aim of having the ball pass through the hoop to score points. A player making accurate shots is important because a team may therefore score more points and may be more likely to win a game. Making accurate shots in basketball requires consistent use of correct technique, and learning to use consistent accurate technique may increase a player&#39;s value by increasing the player&#39;s ability to score points. 
     Practicing proper shooting technique can improve a player&#39;s consistency and accuracy. Although it is possible to practice without the aid of training products, the use of a training product can substantially enhance the efficacy of practice by forcing or promoting proper form. Various devices exist which assist basketball players in practicing, however many of these devices are cumbersome, expensive, and can interfere with natural proper form. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for basketball shot training products that allow a player to train correct form and that are not cumbersome or expensive and that do not interfere with natural correct form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a basketball shot training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2 a    depicts a side view of the basketball shot training apparatus in accordance with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2 b    depicts a side view of a basketball shot training apparatus in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts the basketball shot training apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2  being worn on a right hand in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4 a    depicts using a basketball shot training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4 b    depicts using a basketball shot training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a method of using a basketball shot training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2   a  depict a basketball shot training apparatus  100  in accordance with an embodiment  100 A. The apparatus  100 A comprises an elongated index-finger arm  105  and an elongated middle-finger arm  110 , which extend from and are integrally connected via a web  115 . The arms  105 ,  110  are positioned relative to each other at an angle Θ. The arms  105 ,  110  and web  115  define a V-shaped cavity  155 . 
     Proximate to an index-finger arm end  118  of index-finger arm  105  an index-finger-arm-end ridge  120  extends into the cavity  155 . An index-finger-arm-internal ridge  125  extends into the cavity  155  at a position separate from the index-finger-arm-end ridge  120  and closer to the web  115 . The ridges  120 ,  125  and a portion of the index-finger arm  105  define an index-finger coupling slot  130 . 
     Proximate to a middle-finger arm end  133  of middle-finger arm  110  a middle-finger-arm-end ridge  135  extends into the cavity  155 . A middle-finger-arm-internal ridge  140  extends into the cavity  155  at a position separate from the middle-finger-arm-end ridge  135  and closer to the web  115 . The ridges  135 ,  140  and a portion of the middle-finger arm  110  define an upper middle-finger coupling slot  145 . The middle-finger-arm-internal ridge  140 , a portion of the middle-finger arm  110 , and a portion of the web  115  define a lower middle-finger coupling slot  150 . 
     In an embodiment, the ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140  may be triangular with points that extend inwardly within the cavity  155 . The end ridges  120 ,  135  may be sloped toward the ends  118 ,  133  and the index-finger coupling slot  130  and upper middle-finger coupling slot  145  may be defined by portions of the ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140  that are flat and extend perpendicularly to their respective arm  105 ,  110 . The internal ridges  125 ,  140  may slope toward the web  115 . 
     While various embodiments depicted herein include triangular ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140 , in some embodiments the ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140  may be any suitable shape, size or orientation. For example, ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140  may be rectangular, rounded or the like. Additionally, in some embodiments, there may be any suitable number of ridges in various suitable locations on the arms  105 ,  110 , and in some embodiments there may be no ridges. 
     For example,  FIG. 2 b    depicts a side view of a basketball shot training apparatus  100  having ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140  in accordance with another embodiment  100 B. In this embodiment of the apparatus  100 B, index-finger-arm-end ridge  120  extends into the cavity  155  and further extends toward the web  115  parallel to the index-finger arm  105  and defining an index-finger-arm-end ridge slot  220 . 
     The index-finger-arm-internal ridge  125  extends into the cavity  155  at a position separate from the index-finger-arm-end ridge  120  and closer to the web  115 . The index-finger-arm-internal ridge  125  further extends toward the index-finger-arm end  118  parallel to the index-finger arm  105  and defining an index-finger-arm-internal ridge slot  225 . The ridges  120 ,  125  and a portion of the index-finger arm  105  define an index-finger coupling slot  130 . 
     Proximate to the middle-finger arm end  133  of middle-finger arm  110 , the middle-finger-arm-end ridge  135  extends into the cavity  155  and further extends toward the web  115  parallel to the middle-finger arm  110  and defining a middle-finger-arm-end ridge slot  245 . The middle-finger-arm-internal ridge  140  extends into the cavity  155  at a position separate from the middle-finger-arm-end ridge  135  and closer to the web  115 . The middle-finger-arm-internal ridge  140  further extends toward the middle-finger-arm end  133  parallel to the middle-finger arm  110  and defining an index-finger-arm-internal ridge slot  240 . The ridge  135  and a portion of the middle-finger arm  110  define an upper middle-finger coupling slot  145 . The middle-finger-arm-internal ridge  140  and a portion of the middle-finger arm  110  defines a lower middle-finger coupling slot  150 . 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus  100  may be substantially planar, with the arms  105 ,  110  having substantially flat opposing faces which reside within substantially the same plane. The arms  105 ,  110  and web  115  may be various suitable sizes, and in various embodiments may be configured to correspond to a portion of a human hand. For example in various embodiments one arm  105  or  110  may be substantially longer than the other to accommodate different lengths of fingers. 
       FIG. 3  depicts the basketball shot training apparatus  100 A being worn on a right hand  300  in accordance with an embodiment. The apparatus  100 A is positioned between the index finger  305  and middle finger  310  of the hand  300 , and resting on the saddle  315  between the fingers  305 ,  310  and within the slot  301  between the fingers. 
     The apparatus  100 A is coupled to the index finger  305  via an upper-index-finger band  320 , which surrounds the index finger  305  and resides within the index-finger coupling slot  130  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ). The apparatus  100 A is coupled to the middle finger via an upper-middle-finger band  325  and a lower-middle-finger band  330 , which surround the middle finger  310  and reside within the upper middle-finger coupling slot  145  and lower middle-finger coupling slot  150  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2   a ), respectively. 
     In various embodiments, the apparatus  100 A may be configured to correspond to the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  of a human hand  300 . For example, the index finger  305  comprises a distal index interphalangeal joint  335 , a proximal index interphalangeal joint  340 , and an index metacarpophalangeal joint  360 , which respectively define distal, middle and proximal index finger portions  365 ,  370 ,  375 . The index finger arm  105 , web  115 , and ridges  120 ,  125  may be configured such that the index-finger coupling slot  130  is aligned with the middle index finger portion  370 . In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the index-finger-arm-internal ridge  125  may be aligned with the proximal index interphalangeal joint  340 . The index-finger-arm-end ridge  120  may be aligned below the distal index interphalangeal joint  335 . 
     Such a configuration may be desirable in various embodiments because it may allow the upper-index-finger band  320  to surround the index finger portion  370  without substantially obstructing or impeding the distal index interphalangeal joint  335  and proximal index interphalangeal joint  340 , which may allow for enhanced comfort and range of motion as the apparatus  100 A is worn and used. 
     Similarly, the middle finger  310  comprises a distal middle-finger interphalangeal joint  345 , a proximal middle-finger interphalangeal joint  350 , and a middle-finger metacarpophalangeal joint  355 , which respectively define distal, middle and proximal middle finger portions  380 ,  385 ,  390 . The middle finger arm  110 , web  115 , and ridges  135 ,  140  may be configured such that the upper middle-finger coupling slot  145  is aligned with the middle-middle-finger portion  385 . In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the middle-finger-arm-internal ridge  140  may be aligned with the proximal middle finger interphalangeal joint  350 . The middle-finger-arm-end ridge  135  may be aligned below the distal middle interphalangeal joint  345 . 
     Such a configuration may be desirable in various embodiments because it may allow the upper-middle-finger band  325  to surround the middle-middle-finger portion  385  without substantially obstructing or impeding the distal middle-finger interphalangeal joint  345  and proximal middle-finger interphalangeal joint  350 , which may allow for enhanced comfort and range of motion as the apparatus  100 A is worn and used. Additionally, such a configuration may also allow the lower-middle-finger band  330  to surround the proximal-middle-finger portion  390  without substantially obstructing or impeding the middle-finger metacarpophalangeal joint  355  and proximal middle-finger interphalangeal joint  350 , which may allow for enhanced comfort and range of motion as the apparatus  100 A is worn and used. 
     In some embodiments, the bands  320 ,  325 ,  330  may be held in other ways. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 b   , bands  320 ,  325 ,  330  may be held respectively in slots  130 ,  145 ,  150  defined by the ridges  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  140 . 
     In some embodiments, there may be any suitable number of bands  320 ,  325 ,  330  used to couple the apparatus with a hand  300 . For example, in an embodiment, two bands may surround the index finger  305  and index-finger arm  105 . 
     In some embodiments, one band may surround the middle finger  310  and one band may surround the middle finger arm  110 . (See, e.g.,  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   ). Referring to  FIG. 2 b   , for example, a first band may reside within both of the slots  220 ,  225  and a second band may reside within both of the slots  240 ,  245 . 
     The bands  320 ,  325 ,  330  may be made of any suitable material. For example, in one embodiment, they made be made of sewn neoprene, rubber bands, Lycra bands, adhesive tape, or the like. In various embodiments, the bands  320 ,  325 ,  330  may be configured to be stretchable such that they may snugly encircle a finger  305 ,  310  along with an arm  105 ,  110  of the apparatus  100 A such that the apparatus  100 A is snugly held within the slot  301  between the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310 . 
     In some embodiments, various other structures of any suitable material may be used to couple the apparatus  100  with the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310 . For example, clips, adhesive, a friction fit, or the like may be present to couple the apparatus  100  with the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310 . Additionally, such structures may interface with the apparatus in various ways. For example, such structures may be integrally connected, or may be connected via loops, adhesive, stitching, a weld or the like. In some embodiments, the bands  320 ,  325 ,  330  or other structure for coupling the apparatus  100  may be removable or non-removable from the apparatus  100 . 
     The apparatus  100  may comprise various suitable materials, and may be rigid or flexible. For example, the apparatus may comprise plastic, rubber, acrylic, wood, polyvinyl chlorate (“PVC”), metal or the like. In some embodiments it may be desirable for the apparatus  100  to flex about the web  115  allowing the arms  105 ,  110  to move toward each other. Providing for some dynamic flexing in the apparatus  100  may improve comfort and use in some embodiments. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to select a material that is substantially rigid that provides little if any dynamic flexing. 
     The apparatus  100  may be configured to conform to the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the outer portions  160 ,  165  of the arms  105 ,  110  may be concave to correspond to the curvature of the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the web  115  may also be concave to correspond to the curvature of the saddle  315  between the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310 . 
     In various embodiments, the apparatus  100  may have an angle Θ between the arms  105 ,  110  that allows the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  to substantially maintain an optimal angle for proper shooting technique. In one embodiment, this angle Θ may be 42°. In some embodiments, the angle Θ may be 39°, 40°, 41°, 42°, 43°, 44°, 45° or other desirable angle. 
     The width of the apparatus  100  may be configured to prevent contact with the ball, and may be configured to be less than the width of the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310 . 
     The apparatus  100  may be proportionally configured to correspond to a hand  300  of various sizes. For example, children and adults have varying sizes and proportions of hands, and the apparatus  100  may be configured for different sizes and configurations of hands. Additionally the apparatus  100  may be configured for use on a right or left hand. 
     The apparatus  100  may be used for basketball shot training while coupled to a hand  300  as depicted in  FIGS. 3, 4   a  and  4   b . For example, when making a shot in basketball, (i.e., throwing a basketball  405  toward the basket in an effort to make the basketball  405  pass through the hoop/basket  410 ) good form includes holding the ball  405  with a shooting hand  300 A and a balance hand  300 B, with the shooting hand palm pointed toward the basket  410  and the balance hand  300 B providing balance to the ball  405  as it rests in the shooting hand  300 A. When holding the ball  405  in preparation for a shot, space should remain between the ball  405  and shooting hand palm, with the fingers of the shooting hand  300 A spread to provide a comfortable balance as the ball sits on the finger pads (See e.g.,  FIG. 4 a   ). 
     When a shot is executed, the wrist  420 A of the shooting hand  300 A flicks the ball  405  toward the basket. The shooting hand  300 A should extend in a straight line toward the rim  415  of the basket  410  and the ball  405  should come off the shooting hand  300 A with symmetrical backspin (i.e., spinning backwards toward the shooter about a horizontal axis). The wrist  420 A should be relaxed and floppy with the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  of the shooting hand  300 A ending up parallel to the rim  415  of the basket  410  and pointing at the rim  415  (See, e.g.,  FIG. 4 b   ). 
     The apparatus  100  may be configured to allow a user to practice this proper technique by positioning the user&#39;s shooting hand  300 A index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  at a correct angle, and forcing the user to maintain a V-shape with the index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  so that the user can focus on and confirm that his shooting hand index and middle fingers  305 ,  310  of the shooting hand  300 A end up parallel to the rim  415  of the basket  410  and are pointing at the rim  415  (See, e.g.,  FIG. 4 b   ). Additionally, the apparatus  100  may be configured to not interfere with or contact the ball  405  while the user is practicing shooting technique with the apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a flow chart of a method  500  of using a basketball shot training apparatus  100  in accordance with an embodiment. The method  500  begins in block  510 , where the basketball shot training apparatus  100  is assembled. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 b   . Assembling the basketball shot training apparatus  100  may include inserting a first elastic band into the slots  220 ,  225  and surrounding a portion of the index-finger arm  105 . Assembling the basketball shot training apparatus  100  may also including inserting a second elastic band into slots  240 ,  245  and surrounding a portion of the middle-finger arm  110 . One example of a basketball shot training apparatus having a first and second elastic band is shown in  FIGS. 4 a    and  4   b.    
     Returning to the method  500 , in block  520 , the basketball shot training apparatus  100  is placed on the shooting hand of a user (either left or right hand). For example, in an embodiment having a first and second elastic band as shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    for example, the elastic bands are positioned respectively surrounding a portion of the middle and index fingers, with the arms  105 ,  110  ( FIG. 2 b   ) respectively extending along and adjoining a portion of the middle and index fingers. The web  115  may be positioned adjoining the saddle between the index finger and middle finger.  FIG. 3  depicts an alternative embodiment having three bands. 
     Returning again to the method  500 , in block  530 , the shooter aligns his body with the basketball hoop  410  ( FIG. 4 b   ), and in block  540 , the shooter cradles a basketball  405  in his shooting hand  300 A with his palm facing the hoop  410  and with his shooting hand  300 A cocked rearwardly with his shooting elbow  425  bent and his shooting arm  430 A down. In various embodiments, the shooting hand should be placed on the ball with the index finger pointing straight up (this causes the middle finger to become the same size as the index, from tip to wrist) thus giving the shooter an even, two-point, fixed platform to shoot the ball off of evenly. In block  550 , the shooter tucks his elbow  425 A inward toward his body  401 .  FIG. 4 a    depicts an example of a shooter in the position generated by the steps of blocks  540  and  550 . 
     In block  560 , the shooter extends his shooting arm  430 A upward and forward while flicking his wrist  420 A, and in block  570 , the shooter releases the ball  405  toward the basket with only the tips of the index and middle fingers. In block  580 , the shooter ends the flick of the wrist  420 A with his index and middle fingers pointing toward and parallel to the rim  415  of the hoop  410 . One example of such a finishing position is depicted in  FIG. 4 b   . The method  500  is done in block  599 . 
     Accordingly, from the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, where an alternative is disclosed for a particular embodiment, this alternative may also apply to other embodiments even if not specifically stated. For example, all descriptions of apparatus  100 A may be applied to descriptions of apparatus  1008  and vice versa.