Patent Publication Number: US-2005124440-A1

Title: Athletic training device and method of use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 60/526,395, filed Dec. 03, 2003, with title “Athletic Training Device and Method of Use” which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Par. 119(e)(i). 
    
    
      Statement as to Rights to inventions made under Federally sponsored research and development: Not applicable.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This present invention relates generally to methods, devices and arrangements for athletic training, and more particularly to a device for use in training to improve one&#39;s skills in an athletic endeavor such as, but not restricted to, the playing of soccer.  
      2. Background Information  
      Soccer is a game that is actively enjoyed by a large segment of the population. Soccer has been played widely worldwide, and studies report that the sport currently enjoys a rapid growth rate in the United States.  
      Traditionally, soccer is taught through drills which emphasize various soccer skills and through actual playing practice. In soccer, both speed and control of a ball are important. It is further desired that the athlete gain proficiency in a number of skills that are peculiar to the game of soccer. First, there is the need for the athlete to dribble the soccer ball with his/her feet, requiring the athlete not only to kick the ball, but also to stay ahead of it, so as to maintain control thereover. In addition, the soccer athlete should be trained to dribble the soccer ball along a predetermined path designed to implement specific strategies and plays. There is a need, therefore, for a soccer training system that will facilitate the training and evaluation of a soccer athlete in dribbling the soccer ball along a predetermined path.  
      As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are improvements over existing athletic training devices and methods of use.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a simple and economical system for training athletes, and for evaluating their performance in dribbling technique, ball control, foot speed and confidence, and speed of reaction. The athletic training device of the present invention generally comprising an end cap, a coil member, and a spike. In the preferred embodiment, the end cap is manufactured of a rubber material and is color coated. The coil member having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to absorb shocks and prevent breakage in the event of a strong blow by a ball or player. In particular, the coil member is designed to yield or bend in response to a strong blow by a ball or player.  
      In application, the athlete can insert the spike of each of a number of the athletic training devices into a playing surface at various intervals in a variety of patterns so as to enable the soccer athlete to practice different drills to develop a variety of athletic skills. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an athletic training device.  
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the athletic training device.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a ball handling drill with, and pattern of use of, the athletic training device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      In accordance with the present invention, an athletic training device and method of use thereof is disclosed. The athletic training device is directed to a training device to improve one&#39;s skills in the playing of soccer. The disclosure further is directed to the application of the athletic training device to improve speed and ball control, dribbling techniques, and to enhance speed of reaction.  
      Specifically, it will be noted in the drawings that the athletic training device relates to a device designed to improve technical soccer skills. In the broadest context, the athletic training device of the present invention consists of components configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the athletic training device  10  made in accordance of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  comprises a longitudinal central section  12  having an upper end  12 A and a lower end  12 B. An end cap  15  is attached to the upper end  12 A of the central section  12 , and a spike  17  is attached to the lower end  12 B.  
      In order to obtain the objectives of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central section  12  defines a generally spiral coil and is made of a steel coil or spring construction. The coil is preferably a coil spring commonly available on the market and may be formed during manufacture of the device in a similar manner.  
      The central section  12  is formed of material having flexibility and resiliency to serve for absorbing shocks and prevent breakage in the event of a strong blow by a ball or player. In particular, the central section  12  is designed to yield or bend in response to a strong blow by a ball or player.  
       FIG. 1  clearly illustrates the resiliency of the device  10 , the dashed lining representing the yielding or bending of the central section  12  of the device  10  in a direction “A” when struck. The central section  12  is therefore sufficiently resilient to allow the player&#39;s foot or leg for example, to strike the athletic training device  10  and yield in direction “A” to avoid injury to the player.  
      The end cap  15  may be formed of a plastic material such as rubber or other elastomeric material, to serve for absorbing shocks. Preferably, the end cap  15  is constructed of a color coated rubberized material.  
      The spike  17  supports the athletic training device  10  in an upright orientation on the playing field. In the preferred embodiment, the spike  17  is adapted for use on a soft playing field, such as turf.  
      Previously, the player of a prior art training device had to cope with the worry of moving or stepping on training obstacles during application. The inconvenience of repositioning the prior art device and/or concern of injuries caused when striking the prior art device impaired the reaching of full potential of the effectiveness and safety of the device. Of most importance, the device  10  of the present invention yields or bends as shown in  FIG. 1  upon contact by the device  10  with the player. Now the player is fully confident to avoid injury during application of the device.  
      The entire structure, including the central section  12 , is simple in design and rugged to give exceptional service in use. The central section  12  is desirable because of its flexibility and its ability to hold its original taut condition and shape. This is in combination with its flexibility which gives unexpected improved flexing efficiency and helps the player avoid injury during the exercise or training session.  
      In  FIG. 2 , an alternative construction of the athletic training device  100  in the area between the end cap  150  and spike  170  is shown. The device  100  comprises a longitudinal central section  120  having an upper end  120 A and a lower end  120 B. The end cap  150  is attached to the upper end  120 A of the central section  120 , and the spike  170  is attached adjacent the lower end  120 B.  
      In the alternate embodiment, the central section  120  defines a generally cylindrical tubing that is preferably hollow (interior not shown). A spring member  130  is disposed at the lower end  120 B of the central section  120 . In particular, the spring section  130  having and end  132  attached to the spike  170 . The spring  130  is further appropriately fastened to the lower end  120 B of the central section  120 .  
      In application, the central section  120  is designed to yield or bend at the location of the spring member  130  in response to a strong blow by a ball or player.  
       FIG. 2  clearly illustrates the resiliency of the device  100 , the dashed lining representing the yielding or bending of the central section  120  as discussed above in a direction “A” when struck. The central section  120  is therefore sufficiently resilient to allow the player&#39;s foot or leg for example, to strike the athletic training device  100  and yield in direction “A” to avoid injury to the player.  
       FIG. 3  is a representation of an arrangement for application of the athletic training device  10  in certain skills related to the game of soccer. As shown in this figure, a plurality of athletic training devices  10  are arranged along a predetermined path “P”. In this figure, the training system having a plurality of athletic training devices  10  is shown in use by a player  200 . The player kicks soccer ball  205  along path “P” between the plurality of situated training devices  10 . This training arrangement and method provides significant practice in the dribbling skill that is essential in the soccer game.  
      A significant aspect of the skill that is enhanced by the present training system is greatly improved ball control. It is a common error of inexperienced soccer athletes to kick the soccer ball too far ahead of themselves whereby the ball cannot be protected by them from recovery by members of the opposite team. That is, of course, a fear on the part of the player that if the ball is maintained too close to the player during running and dribbling, he or she will trip over the ball. The present training system, in providing the plurality of athletic training devices  10 , permits the player to focus on preventing tripping over the devices rather than the ball. Additionally, the time required for the player to complete the course that is to manage the soccer ball  205  along the path “P” from point “B” (beginning) to point “E” (end) instills in the player the understanding that the ball must be maintained close to the player if its direction is to be controlled and if it is to be protected from his/her opponent.  
      As is understood, the plurality of athletic training devices  10  situated can define a straight (not shown) or a meandering or zig-zag ( FIG. 3 ) path along the playing field. The establishment of the path by the plurality of athletic training devices  10  will instill in the athlete in training the particular route to be associated with any given soccer play, the strategy associated therewith being determined by the instructor or coach (not shown).  
      In application, the plurality of devices  10  are arranged as described above. Any number of exercises can be performed in the selected arrangement. For example, the player  200  can kick the ball along the path “P” illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The exercise can require the player to jog or run, preferably on the balls of the feet, kick the ball and even jump over the plurality of athletic training devices  10 . Although there are available numerous exercises for building cardiovascular fitness, including, for example, jogging, swimming, and bicycling, such exercises are not as effective for developing soccer-specific skills. In order to become proficient at soccer, the athlete must exercise properly the muscle groups needed for soccer, which includes the strengthening of the toes, ankles, calves, shin muscles, hamstrings, knees, thighs, and lower back.  
      In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the provision of central section  12  fabricated as discussed above gives several important advantages. A player is free to run full out along the course since he/she does not have to concentrate on missing the athletic training device  10  that he/she could inadvertently step on or into. This provides new aggressiveness in the players of the device and therefore improves its effectiveness as a training piece of equipment, especially for soccer players. The player may directly run into the device  10  along the course without serious discomfort or injury. Should the player inadvertently strike the device with his/her leg for example, the spring-like central section  12  can also flex giving improved safety and efficiency by allowing the player a better chance of retaining his/her balance. The safety is further enhanced by the end cap  15  constructed of rubberized material so that should the player contact the device, the rubberized end cap will be engaged rather than sharp upstanding members, such as stakes that were previously used for staking out a training device.  
      Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.