Patent Publication Number: US-2022212080-A1

Title: Martial arts training dummy

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/134,489, filed Jan. 6, 2021, and titled “Martial Arts Training Dummy,” which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that is focused on overwhelming an opponent through grappling and control rather than strikes or kicks. The objective of every match is to get your opponent to the ground and then use techniques that apply pressure to joints (e.g., elbow, knee, ankle, etc.) or to the neck (e.g., in order to choke the opponent) to make your opponent concede defeat or submit. 
     BJJ developed as an off shoot of Judo. In Judo, the goal is to get your opponent to the ground. But once there, the match is effectively over. In the 1920s, the Gracie brothers from Brazil (Helio, George, and Carlos), who were trained in Judo, started to develop specific ground martial arts techniques that evolved into what is currently known as BJJ. 
     There are strict rules about what is permissible and what is not within a BJJ match. Actions such as hair pulling, or the grabbing of a finger or toe are strictly forbidden. The objective is to isolate, for example, an arm or leg and use joint pressure to force your opponent to submit. Another technique involves getting behind your opponent, e.g., getting your opponent on their back and choking them. This is a very difficult sport and the techniques take years to learn. It typically takes about 8-10 years to become a black belt. 
     The attacks that are most feared in BJJ are known as leg locks as they can lead to significant injuries. Leg lock submissions are considered the most complex and highest tier of submissions in BJJ. These attacks target the knees, ankles, and feet. The difficulty in learning leg locks is that after a few minutes of drilling, the knees and ankles can become tender. Even gentle practice, i.e., placing a minimum amount of pressure on the area of a sparring partner, will, over the course of several minutes, cause soreness. This is especially true for the knee; it is not meant to move in any other direction other than back and forth. This makes training and progressing in applying leg locks a long and painful process. Moreover, leg locks are complicated, difficult to teach, and hard to drill. When done incorrectly, a leg lock may cause injury to a practice partner. 
     Various versions of dummies that can be used to practice martial arts exist. Dummies used for punching exist for the punching techniques in some martial arts. However, these types of dummies are not useful in BJJ because of the submission-focused nature of the art. 
     Other martial arts dummies are commercially available that can be used for BJJ because they can be laid on the ground to practice submission positions. However, these commercially available dummies are typically plush (i.e., have no skeleton or internal support structure) with minimal form and offer no resistance or realisic feel. 
     Other types of dummies that are commercially available include crash test dummies, dummies used to train first responders (e.g., firefighters, paramedics), and dummies used for combat training. Some of these dummies can be filled with water to simulate the body weight of a real human, and most versions have movable arms and legs that simulate the arm and leg movements of the human body. However, the ankles and feet of these dummies do not move, and the bodies are usually made of hard plastic. 
     One can also make a home-made BJJ training dummy. For example, a BJJ training dummy can be homemade with lengths of 1″×1″ wood strung together with yellow nylon rope to form a skeleton. This make-shift skeleton can be surrounded by a mixture of rags and plastic bags for padding, and then held together with duct tape. However, dummies made in this nature are not realistic in feel and weight and have limited longevity. 
     SUMMARY 
     A training dummy comprising a waist portion, a first leg coupled to the waist portion, a second leg coupled to the waist portion, a first foot coupled to the first leg, and a second foot coupled to the second leg. The first foot and/or the second foot comprises a front foot portion, a back foot portion, and a rod assembly coupling the front foot portion to the back foot portion. The front foot portion is configured to move with respect to the back foot portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the lower half of a martial arts dummy according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate various perspective views as well as a cross-sectional view of an upper leg in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate various perspective views as well as a cross-sectional view of a lower leg in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate various perspective views as well as a cross-sectional view of a foot in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A-5F  illustrate various perspective views and positions of a first portion of a foot relative to a second portion of a foot in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rod in  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the dummy may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
     As used herein, the term “leg lock” includes any joint manipulation or pain inflicted on the legs that causes your opponent to give up or tap out. While there are many ways to attack the legs, the vast majority of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) leg locks fall within four categories: knee bar, straight ankle lock, heel hook, and toe hold. 
     Knee Bars. 
     BJJ knee bars focus on hyper extending the knee of the opponent. This is done by controlling both the hip and the heel of your opponent, using your hip as a fulcrum on top of the knee cap and arching your back. This action puts pressure on the back of the knee and if done correctly can tear the opponent&#39;s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). 
     Straight Ankle Lock. 
     Rather than attacking a joint, the BJJ straight ankle lock attacks the Achilles tendon. The straight ankle lock can be considered a pain submission because the straight ankle lock does not put a joint in jeopardy of injury. To accomplish this technique, the calf of an opponent is controlled by trapping the opponent&#39;s foot in the attacker&#39;s armpit. Next, the attacker slides their forearm along the opponent&#39;s calf until the Achilles tendon is reached. Once the attacker&#39;s forearm is locked in position, the attacker squeezes their arm tight and leans back. 
     Heel Hook. 
     The heel hook is one of the most popular BJJ leg lock techniques, but is also one of the most difficult to master. This submission uses an opponent&#39;s heel to rotate the opponent&#39;s knee while the attacker&#39;s legs prevent the opponent&#39;s hips from rotating and following their knee. This torques the knee clockwise, which puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the ligaments. The technique can easily tear both the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the ACL very quickly as very little pressure is needed to rotate the knee. 
     Toe Hold. 
     The BJJ toe hold technique forces an over rotation of the foot and ankle by using the attacker&#39;s forearm to act as a fulcrum on the inside of the opponent&#39;s ankle as the attacker&#39;s other hand rotates the opponents toes towards their groin. The ligaments on the outside of the ankle that run down to the toes are strained, which causes a significant amount of pain for the opponent. This can be considered more of a pain submission rather than a true joint submission. 
     As noted above, available martial art training dummies fail to provide realistic articulation, weight, and movement of the lower half of a human being. To resolve this problem, disclosed herein is a martial art training dummy that provides a more realistic articulation, weight, and movement of the lower half of human. Because of the disclosed martial art training dummy, practicing BJJ is safer without sacrificing the actual forces needed in the submission positions for, in particular, leg locks. 
     The disclosed martial arts dummy provides 1) a knee that does not over-extend, 2) an area to learn where the attacker can place legs and arms to apply pressure for a straight ankle lock, 3) the correct articulation of both knee and ankle to recreate the heel hook, and 4) the rotating foot motion necessary to practice a toe hold. Because of one or more of these features, the disclosed martial arts dummy allows a student of any level to drill leg locks without the possibility of injuring anyone and at their own pace. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the lower half of a martial arts or training dummy according to the present disclosure. As shown, the lower half of a martial arts dummy represents the lower half of a human being. Although an upper half of the training dummy is not discussed in the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the lower half of the training dummy disclosed herein can be coupled to an upper body portion comprising a torso, head, and arms. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower half comprises a waist portion  100 , two legs  200  connected to the waist portion  100 , and a foot  300  connected to each of the legs  200 . The left leg of the two legs  200  is shown in cut-away view so as to illustrate the components of the skeleton  400  and soft tissue  501  and  502 , as well as skin  503 . 
     In an embodiment, the skeleton  400  can be formed of a hard material that is resistant to bending under applied pressure, such as a metal or metal alloy. 
     The soft tissue  501  can be made of thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., comprising silicon, polyurethane, a polyurethane blend, polyethylene, or a combination thereof). These exemplary polymers are not meant to limit the scope of material that can be used for the soft tissue  501 . 
     The soft tissue  502  can be made of thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., comprising silicon, polyurethane, a polyurethane blend, polyethylene, or a combination thereof). In some aspects, the material of soft tissue  502  has a hardness greater than a hardness of the material from which the soft tissue  501  is made and less than a hardness of the material from which the skeleton  400  is made. 
     The skin  503  can be made of polyethylene, silicon, an open cell foam, or a combination thereof. 
     Each leg  200  has an upper leg  201  and a lower leg  202 . The upper leg  201  of each leg  200  is connected to the waist portion  100  by a hip joint  101 . The upper leg  201  of each leg  200  is connected to the lower leg  202  of each leg  200  by a knee assembly  103 . Each lower leg  202  of each leg  200  is connected to the foot  300  by an ankle assembly  108 . 
     Each hip joint  101  connects to the waist portion  100  and to an upper leg  201  of each leg  200 . Each hip joint  101  can be configured to provide motion between the waist portion  100  and each leg  200 . Each hip joint  101  has minimal axial rotation (+/−10°) with respect to a longitudinal axis of the upper leg  201 , while having the following ranges of motion:
         Flexion: 0°-125°   Extension 115°-0°   Abduction: 0°-45°   Adduction 45°-0°   Lateral Rotation: 0°-45°   Medial Rotation: 0°-45°       

     The bottom of each upper leg  201  has a first compressible pad  102  that is contoured to the shape of the lower portion of a hamstring muscle to simulate soft tissue at a first point of contact. The compressible pad  102  can be formed of silicon or like material, as solid polymer or foam polymer. 
     The knee assembly  103  can be a machined metal block as shown in  FIG. 1 . The knee assembly  103  is configured to provide limited bending angle and having side neoprene washers to simulate a soft pressure point of contact. The knee assembly  103  has the following ranges of motion:
         Flexion: 0°-130°   Extension: 120°-0°       

     The top of the lower leg  202  of each leg  200  has a second compressible pad  104  contoured to the shape of a human calf muscle to simulate soft tissue at a second point of contact. The second compressible pad  104  can be formed of silicon or like material, as solid polymer or foam polymer. 
     The bottom of the lower leg  202  of each leg  200  has a third compressible pad  105  to simulate the soft tissue at a third point of contact. The third compressible pad  105  can be formed of silicon or like material, as solid polymer or foam polymer. In some embodiments, the second compressible pad  104  and the third compressible pad  105  can be combined as one compressible pad. 
     The upper section of the heel of each foot  300  has a compressible layer  106  around the ankle assembly  108  to simulate softness of the tendon on the back of a human foot. The compressible layer  106  can be formed of silicon or like material, as solid polymer or foam polymer. 
     The lower section of the heel of each foot  300  has a fourth compressible pad  107  to simulate the feel of a human heel. 
     The ankle assembly  108  can be a block of machined metal. The ankle assembly  108  can have a limited bending angle with side neoprene washers to simulate axial rotation of a human knee. The ankle assembly  108  has the following ranges of motion:
         Dorsi Flexion: 0°-50°   Plantar Flexion: 0°-20°   Inversion: 0°-35°   Eversion: 0°-15°       

     The foot  300  comprises a first portion  301 , a second portion  302 , and a rod assembly  109 . The rod assembly  109  is configured to allow the first portion  301  of the foot  300  to move relative to the second portion  302  of the foot  300 . The longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod in the rod assembly  109  and the plane P 1  for the bottom of the foot  300  are shown in  FIG. 1 . The angle between the longitudinal axis L 1  and the plane P 1  is in the range of from 0° to 45°; and can be greater than 0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 9°, or 10° and less than 45°, 44°, 43°, 42°, 41°, 40°, 39°, 38°, 37°, 36°, 35°, 34°, 33°, 32°, 31°, 30°, 29°, 28°, 27°, 26°, 25°, 24°, 23°, 22°, 21°, or 20°. In aspects, the direction of rotation of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L 1  of a rod in the rod assembly  109 . 
     The compressible pad  102  and compressible pad  104  are included in the legs  200  so that when the upper leg  201  bends against the lower leg  202  via the knee assembly  103 , the compressible pad  102  and compressible pad  104  face one another. If the practitioner using the dummy has a body part between the compressible pad  102  and the compressible pad  104 , instead of crushing the practitioner&#39;s body part, the compressible pad  102  and the compressible pad  104  of the disclosed dummy are configured to compress without applying a crushing force to the practitioner&#39;s body part. 
       FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate various perspective views as well as a cross-sectional view of the upper leg  201  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the upper leg  201  shown in the view of  FIG. 2  is for the left leg, and a right upper leg would be an identical mirror image of all views shown in  FIG. 2 . In particular,  FIG. 2A  illustrates an inner thigh perspective view of the upper leg  201 ,  FIG. 2B  illustrates a front perspective view of the upper leg  201 , and  FIG. 2C  illustrates an outer thigh perspective view of the upper leg  201 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sight line  2 D- 2 D of the upper leg  201  as indicated in  FIG. 2B . Table 1 provides a description of the parts corresponding to the reference numerals in  FIGS. 2D and 2E : 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item Reference No. 
                 Description 
                 Quantity 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 211 
                 Weldment Thigh Structure 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 212 
                 Swivel Ball Joint 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 213 
                 Thigh, Outer Left 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 214 
                 Thigh, Inner 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 215 
                 Cushion, Thigh 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 216 
                 Skin, Cover 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 217 
                 Skin, Cover 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 218 
                 Button Head Hex Drive Screws 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 219 
                 Thin Nylon4-Insert Locknut 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The thigh cushion  215  in  FIG. 2D  is the compressible pad  102  of  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the top of the thigh cushion  215  has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the bottom of the thigh cushion  215 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate various perspective views as well as a cross-sectional view of the lower leg  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the lower leg  202  shown in the view of  FIGS. 3A-3E  is for the left leg, and a right lower leg would be an identical mirror image of all views shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E . In particular,  FIG. 3A  illustrates a front perspective view of the lower leg  202 ,  FIG. 3B  illustrates a left outer view of the lower leg  202 , and  FIG. 3C  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower leg  202 . 
       FIG. 3D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sight line  3 D- 3 D of the lower leg  202  as indicated in  FIG. 3A . Table 2 provides a description of the parts corresponding to the reference numerals in  FIGS. 3D and 3E : 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Item Reference No. 
                 Description 
                 Quantity 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 311 
                 Weldment Leg Structure 
                 1 
               
               
                 312 
                 Swivel Ball Joint 
                 1 
               
               
                 313 
                 Machined Knee Joint 
                 1 
               
               
                 314 
                 Grooved Clevis Pin with Retaining Ring 
                 1 
               
               
                 315 
                 Leg, Calf Left-Side 
                 1 
               
               
                 316 
                 One-End Threaded Stud with Cotter Pin 
                 1 
               
               
                 317 
                 Leg, Lower Section Soft Gel 
                 1 
               
               
                 318 
                 Leg, Calf R-Side 
                 1 
               
               
                 319 
                 Skin, Cover 
                 1 
               
               
                 320 
                 Skin, Cover 
                 1 
               
               
                 321 
                 Neoprene Sealing Washer 
                 8 
               
               
                 322 
                 Thin Nylon-Insert Locknut 
                 2 
               
               
                 323 
                 Button Head Hex Drive Screws 
                 8 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The lower leg section soft gel  317  in  FIG. 3D  is the compressible pad  104  of  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the top of the lower leg section soft gel  317  has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the bottom of the lower leg section soft gel  317 . In certain embodiments, when the upper leg  201  and lower  202  are bent against each other, the thickest portion of the thigh cushion  215  (compressible pad  102 ) and the thickest portion of the lower section soft gel  317  (compressible pad  104 ) face one another. 
       FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate various perspective views as well as a cross-sectional view of the foot  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The foot  300  illustrated in the views of  FIGS. 4A-4E  can be used as a right foot and left foot. In particular,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a front perspective view of the foot  300 ,  FIG. 4B  illustrates a top perspective view of the foot  300 , and  FIG. 4C  illustrates a side perspective view of the foot  300 . 
       FIG. 4D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along sight line  4 D- 4 D of the foot  300  as indicated in  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4E  illustrates an exploded view of the foot  300 . Table 3 provides a description of the parts corresponding to the reference numerals in  FIGS. 4D and 4E : 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item Reference No. 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 411 
                 Front Toe 
               
               
                   
                 412 
                 Front Toe Cap 
               
               
                   
                 413 
                 Foot Heel 
               
               
                   
                 414 
                 Foot Heel Cover 
               
               
                   
                 415 
                 Machined Ankle Joint 
               
               
                   
                 416 
                 Rod, Rubber 1.0 In Diameter 
               
               
                   
                 417 
                 Foot Heel Rubber 
               
               
                   
                 418 
                 1/2-20 Partial Threaded Stud 
               
               
                   
                 419 
                 Clevis Pins with Retaining Ring Groove 
               
               
                   
                 420 
                 Neoprene Sealing Washer 
               
               
                   
                 421 
                 Flat Washer 
               
               
                   
                 422 
                 Nylon-Insert Locknut 
               
               
                   
                 423 
                 Shoulder Screw 
               
               
                   
                 424 
                 Socket Head Cap Screw 
               
               
                   
                 425 
                 Screw Insert 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A rod assembly  109  in  FIG. 1  can include any components in  FIGS. 4D and 4E  that are configured to secure the rod  416  of  FIGS. 4D and 4E  to the foot  300  for rotation of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  relative to the second portion  302  of the foot  300 . In  FIG. 4D , the rod  416  of the rod assembly can be seen having one end extending in the first portion  301  of the foot  300  and an opposite extending in the second portion  302  of the foot  300 . The first end of the rod  416  is secured, attached, or otherwise connected to the first portion  301  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 4D and 4E ; however, it is contemplated that the first end of the rod  416  can be secured to the first portion  301  by other techniques, such as adhesive, or welding (e.g., of metal or polymer parts together). The second end of the rod  416  is secured, attached, or otherwise connected to the second portion  302  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 4D and 4E ; however, it is contemplated that the second end of the rod  416  can be secured to the second portion  302  by other techniques, such as adhesive, or welding (e.g., of metal or polymer parts together). 
       FIGS. 5A to 5F  illustrate various perspective views and positions of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  relative to the second portion  302  of the foot  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5A  shows, when viewed from the front of the foot  300 , the first portion  301  rotated counter-clockwise along the longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod  416  with respect to the second portion  302 . The angle of counter-clockwise rotation can be 0-45° for example. The angle of rotation depends on the material of construction of the rod  416  of the foot  300 , which is described in more detail below. Generally, one end of the rod  416  that is secured or otherwise attached to the first portion  301  of the foot  300  twists in the counter-clockwise direction when under a torsional force in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to an opposite end of the rod  416  that is secured or otherwise attached to the second portion  302  of the foot  300 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows, when viewed from the front of the foot  300 , the first portion  301  rotated clockwise along the longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod  416  with respect to the second portion  302 . The angle of clockwise rotation can be 0-45° for example. The angle of rotation depends on the material of construction of the rod  416  of the foot  300 , which is described in more detail below. Generally, one end of the rod  416  that is secured or otherwise attached to the first portion  301  of the foot  300  twists in the clockwise direction when under a torsional force in the clockwise direction with respect to an opposite end of the rod  416  that is secured or otherwise attached to the second portion  302  of the foot  300 . 
       FIG. 5C  shows, when viewed from the front of the foot  300 , the toe  310  of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  pulled upward, causing the first portion  301  to move relative to the second portion  302  as shown in  FIG. 5C . The angle of upward movement of the toe  310  can be 0-15° with respect to the longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod  416  when in the resting position, for example. The angle of upward movement of the toe  310  depends on the material of construction of the rod  416  of the foot  300 , which is described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 5D  shows, when viewed from the front of the foot  300 , the toe  310  of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  pulled downward, causing the first portion  301  to move relative to the second portion  302  as shown in  FIG. 5D . The angle of downward movement of the toe  310  can be 0-15° with respect to the longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod  416  when in the resting position, for example. The angle of downward movement of the toe  310  depends on the material of construction of the rod  416  of the foot  300 , which is described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 5E  shows, when viewed from the top of the foot  300 , the side  311  of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  pushed laterally relative to the second portion  302  of the foot  300  in the direction shown in  FIG. 5E . The angle of lateral movement of the first portion  301  in the direction shown in  FIG. 5E  can be 0-15° with respect to the longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod  416  when in the resting position, for example. The angle of lateral movement of the first portion  301  depends on the material of construction of the rod  416  of the foot  300 , which is described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 5F  shows, when viewed from the top of the foot  300 , the side  312  of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  pushed laterally relative to the second portion  302  of the foot  300  in the direction shown in  FIG. 5F . The angle of lateral movement of the first portion  301  in the direction shown in  FIG. 5F  can be 0-15° with respect to the longitudinal axis L 1  of the rod  416  when in the resting position, for example. The angle of lateral movement of the first portion  301  depends on the material of construction of the rod  416  of the foot  300 , which is described in more detail below. 
     While  FIGS. 5A to 5F  show isolated movements of the first portion  301  of the foot  300  relative to the second portion  302  of the foot  300 , it is contemplated that the movement of the first portion  301  relative to the second portion  302  can be a combination of the movements shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5F  (e.g.,  FIGS. 5A, 5C, and 5E ;  FIGS. 5A, 5D, and 5E ;  FIGS. 5A, 5C, and 5F ;  FIGS. 5A, 5D, and 5F ;  FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5E ;  FIGS. 5B, 5D, and 5E ;  FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5F ;  FIGS. 5B, 5D, and 5F ). 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rod  416  in  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In aspects, the rod  416  is a flexible rod, in the sense that, the rod  416  can elongate under tensile load, twist about the longitudinal axis L 1  under torsional force, bend the longitudinal axis, and remain in a cylindrical shape when no load or force is applied to the rod  416 . In certain embodiments, the rod  416  has a cylindrically-shaped body; alternatively, the rod can have the cross section of any polygon as long as the rod is a flexible rod in the directions disclosed herein. 
     In some embodiments, the rod  416  have the shape of a solid cylinder or otherwise a solid prism (triangular rod, square rod, pentagonal rod, hexagonal rod, and so on). Alternatively, the shape of the rod  416  can be a hollow cylinder (e.g., tube shape) or hollow prism (e.g., polygonal tube). 
     In certain embodiments, the rod  416  can be formed of a polymer material. The polymer material can be configured to elongate under tensile load, rotate under torsional force, and bend; and configured to be in the cylindrical or prism shape when no load is applied. The polymer can be formed from one or more polymerization processes that produce homopolymer or copolymer from any monomer unit such as, for example but not limited to, ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, butadiene, hexene, styrene, any other known monomer useful for forming the flexible rod, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable polymer materials from which the rod  416  can be made include polyethylene (linear low density, low density, medium density, high density, or combinations thereof), polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polycarbonate, acetal material, acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylic material, polybenzimidazole, polyethylene terephthalate, polyether ether ketone, phenolic laminates, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, or combinations thereof. 
     In aspects where the rod  416  has end  602  secured to the first portion  301  and opposite end  604  secured to the second portion  302  of the foot  300  as shown in  FIG. 4D , the holes  601  and  603  are formed in the ends  602  and  604  of the rod  416  so that bolts or screws can secure, attach, or otherwise connect the end  602  to the first portion  301  of the foot  300  and the opposite end  604  to the second portion  302  of the foot  300 . 
     The longitudinal axis L 1  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 6  for reference of direction of the rod  416 —that is in rod assembly  109  of  FIG. 1 . 
     In certain embodiments, the rod  416  can have a diameter in the range of 0.25 inch to 1.5 inches (0.635 cm to 3.81 cm); alternatively, in the range of 0.5 inch to 1.25 inches (1.27 cm to 3.175 cm); alternatively, about 1 inch (about 2.54 cm). 
     In certain embodiments, the rod  416  can have a length in the range of 0.5 inch to 6 inches (1.27 cm to 15.24 cm); alternatively, in the range of 0.75 inch to 4 inches (1.90 cm to 10.16 cm); alternatively, in the range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches (2.54 cm to 10.16 cm). 
     Any embodiment of the lower half of the martial arts dummy disclosed herein can be used in combination with any upper half (e.g., torso, arms, hands, neck, head) of a dummy or mannequin, in order to form a full martial arts dummy. 
     While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed dummy may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another form or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. 
     Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.