Abstract:
Sports training devices and methods are provided. Preferred devices and methods may be used for training in wrestling as well as a wide variety of other sports.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/143,877 filed Jan. 12, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention includes sports training devices and methods. Preferred devices and methods of the invention may be used for training in wrestling, including any style (e.g. freestyle, Greco, American collegiate, etc.) as well as a wide variety of other sports. Preferred devices (articles) of the invention may suitably comprise an anklet with a releasably secured flag. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A wrestling training device for the wrestling sport is described herein. In one aspect, a wrestling training device for the wrestling sport includes an anklet, and a flag for attaching to the anklet. The device may suitably comprise an attachment unit such as a clip that attaches to clothing of the user with a flag, or clothing with velcro attachment area for flag. 
         [0004]    In a further aspect, a wrestling training device for the amateur wrestling sport includes a unit for attachment to a user (e.g. a wrestling participant), and a visible detection unit. The visible detection unit is preferably secured to the attachment unit. For instance, the visible detection and attachment units may be fabricated as an integral article. Alternatively, the visible detection and attachment units may be fabricated separately and then attached e.g. by sewing. 
         [0005]    The device comprising the visible detection and attachment units may suitably comprise additional features such as a clip that attaches to clothing or footwear of a user. A user&#39;s clothing or footwear also may comprise a velcro attachment area to receive and reliably attach the device. 
         [0006]    In preferred aspects, methods are provided for training in a sport, comprising: (a) placing one or more removable articles on each of two or more participants of the sport; (b) one or more participants attempting to remove the article or portion of the article from one or more other participant. Preferably, the sport is wrestling and each participant is a wrestler, but methods and devices of the invention will be useful for training in other sports such as boxing, American football, fencing and others. In those other sports, each participant will preferably compete or train in the particular sport. 
         [0007]    Methods and devices or articles of the invention may be used to teach and drill a variety of skills. For instance, for wrestling applications, devices and methods of the invention can be used to teach fundamental techniques of amateur wrestling, such as stance, hand fighting, level changing, leg attacks, down blocking, defense, attacking angles, and/or scrambling. 
         [0008]    In preferred aspects of such methods of the invention, the article is placed on a total of two participants, who may be opponents in the sport, e.g. opposing wrestlers. In preferred methods a participant attempts to prevent removal of the article he or she is wearing, while attempting to the article from the one or more other participants. Preferred articles may comprise (1) a unit for attachment to a user (2) and a visible detection unit. In preferred systems, the visible detection unit can be clasped within a participant&#39;s hand, e.g. a flag as disclosed herein. For at least certain applications, preferred articles may comprise an anklet and a flag unit. 
         [0009]    In preferred methods, a participant may remove only a portion of the article from another participant during conduct of the method. For example, a flag unit of a first participant may be removed (e.g. through disengagement of a Velcro attachment) by a second participant while the attachment unit (e.g. anklet or other means for attachment) remains affixed to the first participant. 
         [0010]    In this regard, methods and devices of the invention may be employed in a wide variety of body areas, including in areas other than an ankle region of a participant, e.g. a device or removable article may be placed on or around a participant&#39;s ankle area, knee area, wrist area, elbow area and/or shoulder area, other body area. 
         [0011]    Other aspects of the invention are disclosed infra. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Features, aspects, and embodiments are described in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a view of the anklet and flag, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is another view of the anklet and flag, according to another embodiment of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    According to the embodiments described herein, a wrestling training device for the wrestling sport can be produced. That is, the wrestling training device for the wrestling sport includes an anklet, and a flag for attaching to the anklet. 
         [0016]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , one embodiment according to this invention comprises of two pieces: an anklet/kneeband and a flag. The fitting can be produced in a wide variety of differing sizes e.g. two or more different sizes such as an adult size and a child size. 
         [0017]    The adult sized anklet/kneeband is suitably 16 inch long by 1.5 inch wide piece of material with Velcro™ (hook or loop system) attachments placed at each end of the anklet/kneeband for securing around the ankle or just below/above the knee. The outside of the kneeband/anklet has a Velcro™ (hook or loop system) patch where a 8 inches long by 1.5 inches wide flag is attached (and later removed during the game). 
         [0018]    The child sized anklet/kneeband is suitably a 10 inch long by 1.5 inch wide piece of material with Velcro™ (hook or loop system) attachments placed at each end of the anklet/kneeband for securing around the ankle or just below/above the knee. The outside of the band has a Velcro™ (hook or loop system) patch where a 6 inches long by 1.5 inches wide flag is attached (and later removed during the game). 
         [0019]    The device can be upgraded by adding an alarm to the flag so that upon removal an alarm would sound. The complexity and expense of doing this may make the device more complicated and less desirable for some target markets. Multiple flags could be used on an individual anklet. 
         [0020]    In use, the anklet/kneeband is secured to the body or a user, preferably releasably secured to the body of a user. The flag can be mounted on the anklet/kneeband by a wide variety of attachment means. For example, the flag can be mounted using Velcro™ (hook or loop system). In another embodiment, the flag can be attached using glue or other adhesive. The attachment (e.g. anklet) can be affixed to a participant with a glue or other adhesive. A snap can also be used. In use, an anklet/kneeband is suitably worn by each participant of wrestling game. Each participant can wear one or more anklets/kneebands. The flags are attached to the anklet(s)/kneeband(s). In one embodiment, throughout the course of wrestling game, the objective of each participant is to remove the flag from an opponent&#39;s anklet/kneeband, while protecting their own flag(s). 
         [0021]    The device can be constructed by creating a host anklet/kneeband and a flag that can be removed and re-attached upon removal from the host anklet/kneeband. Additional host site bands can be created for use on other body parts to increase the number of targets used by participants. Participants of wrestling game will put on one or more anklets/kneebands and attach flags to their anklets/kneebands. Their opponent(s) will do the same. Participants will then attempt to remove flags from the anklet/kneeband of their opponent(s) while protecting the flag(s) attached to their own anklet(s)/kneeband(s). 
         [0022]    While certain embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that the embodiments described are by way of example only. Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein should not be limited based on the described embodiments.