Abstract:
Sport training equipment in the form of wearable apparel, such as a uniform jersey and shorts, headwear such as a headband, bandana, cap, or the like, footwear such as a band attachable to a shoe, or any other article of clothing which overlies a body part that is intended to be used to control a soccer ball, is provided with one of a hook and loop fastener material that may be used in conjunction with a ball on which is disposed the other of the hook and loop fastener material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/931,814, filed Jan. 27, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The following relates generally to sport training equipment and, more particularly, relates to soccer or football training equipment and methods for using the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Equipment used to train in a sport, including soccer, is generally known in the art. 
         [0004]    By way of example, U.S. Published Application No. 2005/0144812 describes a cover for a soccer shoe that is provided with rubberized zones. The rubberized zones are situated on those areas of the cover that the inventor has deemed to be relevant to kicking/striking a soccer ball correctly. 
         [0005]    By way of further example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,035 discloses a soccer training apparatus that includes a contact patch assembly having a contact region and a strap mechanism configured to removably mount around a foot of a user in a manner that is intended to orient the contact region at an instep or side of the user&#39;s foot. The contact region is described as having one of a hook or loop material that is intended to cooperate with the other of the hook or loop material as provided to a soccer ball to thereby promote attachment of the soccer ball to the contact region. In the opinion of the inventor, this arrangement will function to indicate precision locational contact of the foot or shoe with the soccer ball at the instep or side portion thereof. 
         [0006]    Still further examples of soccer training equipment and systems may also be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,529,267, 8,632,342, and 8,573,981. 
         [0007]    To better assist the reader in understanding the improved sport training equipment that is described hereinafter, the disclosure in these referenced publications are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The following generally discloses sport training equipment and exemplary methods for using the same. The disclosed sport training equipment may be used individually or as a system and is particularly intended to be used as a training tool for young soccer players to, for example, instruct such players how to improve their touch and fundamentals in the game of soccer. In this regard, one of the biggest issues for soccer is that young players miss out or skip the technical aspects of the game at an early age leading to poor technical ability further down the road in their soccer careers. As will become apparent, the sport training equipment described hereinafter is intended to address this issue by providing equipment that is designed and arranged to offer such players more instruction than a coach could ever provide in the early years of their soccer development. To this end, the described sport training equipment allows players to practice anywhere and at any time. Because young players generally have formal practice session 2 to 3 times a week at best, the described sport training equipment is designed to allow soccer players to work on skills while away from the training field, for example, in the backyard, inside the house, etc. Furthermore, when the sport training equipment is used as intended, the sport training equipment will ensure that the player perfects the techniques and timing that it takes to improve their game, even without a coach being present. The described sport training equipment will thus train and program the body for the real game of soccer and, thereby, produce a higher standard of player. 
         [0009]    In preferred embodiments, the sport training equipment is designed to be child friendly. For this purpose, the sport training equipment incorporates materials that will be soft and washable. In addition, because the sport training equipment is preferably integrated into a uniform or other game playing apparel, the proposed sport training equipment provides the additional advantage of allowing a player to use the equipment during times of practice as well as during times of actual game play, i.e., the described sport training equipment will not need to be removed when the player transitions between practice and actual playing of the game on the field. 
         [0010]    While not intended to be limiting, the described sport training equipment will provide these and other improvements over the prior art by providing to desirable locations on wearable apparel, such as a uniform jersey and shorts, headwear such as a headband, bandana, cap, or the like, footwear such as a band attachable to a shoe, or any other article of clothing which overlies a body part that is intended to be used to control a soccer ball, one of a hook and loop fastener material that may be used in conjunction with a ball on which is disposed the other of the hook and loop fastener material. While using complimentary hoop and loop fastener materials is preferred, for example considering cost and availability, it is to be understood that the described sport training equipment may be designed to incorporate any other technologies that will allow a ball to releasably stick or adhere on the body part that is intended to be used to control the ball. In use, if the body positioning, body shape, and/or touch of a player is not correct with respect to the ball the fastening material on the ball will not properly connect with the fastening material on the apparel and, as a result, the player will know that he/she is not using the correct body positioning, body shape, and/or touch to control the ball. It will therefore be appreciated that the sport training equipment described hereinafter will function to teach every aspect of the game (such as how to perform attacking headers, defensive headers, flick ons, chest control, thigh control, foot control inside, outside, and instep, shooting, crossing, passing, volleys, half volleys, curling and swerving the ball, trapping, juggling, etc.) and will accordingly improve the fundamentals of every child, all while in a relaxed and fun environment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For use in better understanding the exemplary sport training equipment described hereinafter reference may be had to the following drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4  illustrate examples of headwear usable as soccer training equipment; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9  illustrate examples of tops usable as soccer training equipment; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate examples of bottoms usable as soccer training equipment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 , and  16  illustrate examples of footwear usable as soccer training equipment; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate examples of balls usable with the wearable articles illustrated in each of  FIGS. 1-16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    With reference to the figures, the following generally discloses exemplary embodiments of sport training equipment and exemplary methods for using the same. The sport training equipment may be used individually or as a system and is particularly intended to be used as a training tool for young soccer players to, for example, instruct such players how to improve their touch and fundamentals in the game of soccer. 
         [0018]    Turning to  FIGS. 1-4 , illustrated are examples of sport training equipment in the form of headwear  10 . While the headwear  10  is illustrated as being a standard sweatband or headband, it will be understood that the headwear  10  may alternatively take the form of a cap, helmet, mask or the like type of known device that can be worn on the head and which is also capable of having at least a portion thereof arranged on the head at one or more desired locations, such as at the forehead and/or side of the forehead of the wearer. As further illustrated in the figures, the headwear  10  is provided with one of a hook and loop fastening material  12 . The hook and loop fastening material  12  is intended to be releasably couplable to a complimentary one of a hook and loop fastening material that is provided to a ball  11  (examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). When the fastening material  12  contacts the corresponding fastening material provided to the ball  11 , the ball  11  will attach to and/or attach and release from the fastening material  12  (e.g., when performing a header) and this attachment and/or any sound generated by the attachment and release of the cooperating materials will function to notify the user that the desired proper contact was achieved with the ball  11 . The fastening material  12  may be attached to the headwear  10  by being sewn thereto, glued thereto, or the like. Alternatively, the fastening material  12  may be positioned in a pocket or sleeve that is provided to the headwear  10  where the pocket or sleeve has an opening to expose the fastening material  12  for the desired engagement with the ball  11 . 
         [0019]    To ensure proper usage of the headwear  12  for the purpose of teaching the user how to improve their touch and fundamentals in the game of soccer with respect to interacting with the ball  11  via use of the head, the fastening material  12  is preferably provided with dimensions such that the fastening material  12  is not oversized or undersized. As will be appreciated, when the fastening material  12  is oversized this might allow a user to achieve a coupling interaction with the ball (which is used to provide feedback of proper technique) in instances where an undesired part of the head is used to contact the ball with the headwear  10  with the headwear  10  nevertheless being properly positioned on the head. Similarly, when the fastening material  12  is undersized this might prevent a user from achieve a coupling interaction with the ball in instances where a desired part of the head is used to contact the ball with the headwear  10  with the headwear  10  nevertheless being properly positioned on the head. Thus, when considering the size of a youth (an intended wearer of the headwear  12 ), a fastener material  12  that is seen to meet the objectives of not being undersized or oversized is a fastening material  12  that is about 3 inches long by about 1 inch high. As will be appreciated, adjustments to these dimensions would be made for adult wearers. It will also be understood that the fastening material  12  need not have a rectangular shape. Rather, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fastening material  12  can be in the form of a logo or the like that will preferably fit within the fastening material dimensions noted above. 
         [0020]    Considering now  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it is anticipated that the headwear  10  will be worn the majority of time such that the fastening material  12  is centrally located on the forehead of the user to thereby allow the user to train the majority of heading actions. In a preferred embodiment, however, the headwear  10  should allow for the fastening material  12  to be moved to the side of the head to allow the user to practice flick ons or glancing headers. When properly worn, the headwear  10  will allow the user to use the interaction with the fastening material  12  and the ball to repeatedly establish the correct connection point between the ball and the forehead which will, in turn, train the user how to ensure better control of pace and direction of the ball. 
         [0021]    By way of further example, for defensive headers the aim is to clear the ball away from the danger zone, e.g., your own goal and the penalty area. A good defensive header is one that requires plenty of power, height, and distance. To obtain this type of header a player needs to have good timing and a perfect connection with the ball. For every defensive header that comes to a player, no matter how high or low the trajectory of the ball, the connection has to be made on the lower half of the ball. This connection with the ball will ensure that the ball takes an upward trajectory to avoid deflecting off any players in close proximity to the player. To perform this type of header, the player should watch the ball at all times until the connection with the ball has been made. This will ensure that the head stays up and the connection with the ball is made at the top of the forehead. This proper connection with the ball, with the right timing and use of the neck muscles will also allow the player to maximize power behind the header. By use of the subject headwear  10  properly positioned on the head, a young player will learn to not fear heading the ball, will learn to find the correct sweet spot for heading the ball to meet this objective, and will learn to not shy away from heading the ball while gaining confidence. The defensive header can be utilized from a standing position, an aerial position, or a diving position and, because the techniques for the actual defensive header stays the same in each case, i.e., eyes on the ball until connection, keep your head up, and use the neck muscles for power, the headwear  10  allows the user to train for each of these types of defensive headers, e.g., to learn how to solidly connect with the ball with less pain while achieving more distance. 
         [0022]    As noted, the headwear  10  can be used to help a player learn how to perform a proper defensive diving header. In this regard, it will be understood that crosses sometime come towards a player low to waist high, e.g., a position that might be too high for the player to use their feet to clear the ball from the defensive area. For a perfect defensive diving header, the player must assess the height of the cross, step towards the ball (to thereby prevent an attacker from beating the player to the ball), and then throw their body forwards to meet the incoming cross. The headwear  10  may therefore be used in the manners noted to train the player to perform such defensive headers, i.e., to watch the ball all the way to their forehead while never taking their eyes off the ball and to make their connection with the ball at the top of their forehead in the proper manner such that the forward motion of the player will ensure that the player achieves plenty of height and distance on the ball, the hallmarks of the perfect defensive diving header. 
         [0023]    Yet further, the headwear  10  can be used to help a player learn how to perform a proper defensive standing header. For a proper standing or head high defensive header a player must step toward the ball (to ensure the attacking player does not get to it first) and must keep their eyes on the ball right up to the time of connection with the ball. The headwear  10  may therefore be used in the manners noted to train the player to perform such headers, i.e., to learn to keep their head up, to strike the ball with their forehead, and to gain maximum power from their neck muscles as well as their forward motion to thereby provide maximum height and distance to the ball. 
         [0024]    Still further, the headwear  10  can be used to help a player learn how to perform a proper defensive aerial header. As will be appreciated, corners, free kicks, crosses, lofted through balls and the like all may require an aerial defensive header which makes this type of header one that is most utilized in soccer. For a proper aerial defensive header, timing and connecting is everything. The player has to meet the ball at the highest possible point in the air while trying to not be out jumped by their opponent. The headwear  10  may therefore be used in the manners noted to train the player to perform such headers, i.e., to learn how to attack the ball, how to time their run towards the ball, how to use their arms to help elevate, how to arch their back, how to watch the ball, and how to strike the ball at their highest point of elevation, to thereby provide maximum height and distance to the ball. 
         [0025]    The headwear  10  can also be used to help a player learn how to perform proper attacking headers, e.g., attacking diving headers, attacking standing headers, and attacking areal headers. In this regard, the most important aspects of the attacking header are timing and accuracy. Timing of the run is essential for attacking headers as they normally occur in a crowded penalty area. The player will also need to have a run on their opponent to gain maximum advantage. Once this happens the player will need to find the target and, in order for this to happen, it is vital that the player head the ball downwards to find the net. Getting underneath the ball will make it rise and therefore miss the target. 
         [0026]    The attacking diving header is particularly used when a player is stretching to reach a cross that is slightly in front of him or to gain that extra yard to be first to the ball. Diving headers are executed when a cross is arriving into the penalty area below head height. The headwear  10  may therefore be used in the manners noted to train the player to perform such headers, i.e., to learn how to timer their run, to keep their eyes on the ball, and to properly contact the upper half of the ball with their forehead. 
         [0027]    The standing header is particularly used when the ball arrives in the attacking area at head height. Again, the important thing with respect to performing a proper standing header is accuracy. With a standing header the player may have a bit more time to concentrate on the direction of the header. The headwear  10  may therefore be used in the manners noted to train the player to perform such headers, i.e., to learn how to watch the ball onto their forehead and to head the ball downwardly (or to loop the ball depending on the time the player has and the positioning of the goalkeeper). With more and more training with the headband  10 , the player can further learn how to pick their spot on the goal and commit to it, guiding the ball rather than going for pure power. 
         [0028]    The aerial header is the most common type of attacking header, as it usually occurs in a crowded penalty area. To perform a proper attacking aerial header a player will have to out jump their opponent to gain a goal scoring opportunity. To this end, the player must learn to wait for the moment that the ball is about to be crossed and to give a run on the defender as a running jump to thereby achieve more height than would otherwise be obtainable via use of a standing jump. The headwear  10  may therefore be used in the manners noted to train the player to perform such headers, i.e., to time their leap to meet the ball at the highest point, to watch the ball, and to strike the ball with their forehead slightly above the center of the ball in order to head the ball downwards toward the goal. With continued training with the headwear  10 , the player will also learn use their neck and back muscles to generate power. 
         [0029]    It will also be understood that the headwear  10  can be used to teach a player how to perform a cushioned header. A cushion header is mainly executed to set up a pass or a shot. To this end, the headwear  10  can be used in the manners noted to teach the player to watch the ball all the way to the forehead, to use the center of the forehead to ensure direction of the ball, and to move their head slightly backwards on impact to take pace off the ball to thereby ensure a softer set up for a teammate coming onto the ball. The headwear  10  can be used to teach these skills when executed from a standing position as well as when done aerially. 
         [0030]    Considering now  FIG. 4 , for teaching a player how to perform flick ons/glancing headers the headwear  10  is to be positioned on the head such that the fastening material  12  is slightly to the left/right of the middle of the forehead. Using the headwear  10  in the manners described above, the user may learn the proper manner in which to perform these techniques, namely, how to concentrate on meeting the ball and how to provide the ball with minimal contact as the player need only redirect the ball slightly off its course. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5-9 , illustrated are examples of sport training equipment in the form of tops  14 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6  the top is particularly illustrated as being in the form of a vest  14 ′ having a fastening material  13  that is preferably positioned in a location that would be in the middle of the chest of the wearer. The fastening material  13  is positioned in this location to allow the vest  14 ′ to be used to train a player in how to interact with the ball via use of the chest, i.e., to learn the correct body positioning, body shape, and/or touch to control the ball  11  when received on the chest. As before, the fastening material  13  can be attached to the vest  14 ′ by being sewn thereto, glued thereto, or the like. Alternatively, the fastening material  13  may be positioned in a pocket or sleeve that is provided to the vest  14 ′ where the pocket or sleeve has an opening to expose the fastening material  13  for desired engagement with the ball  11 . Thus, when considering the size of a youth (an intended wearer of the vest  14 ′), a fastening material  13  that is seen to meet the objectives of not being undersized or oversized is a fastening material  13  that is about 3 inches long by about 1 inch high. As will be appreciated, adjustments to these dimensions would be made for adult wearers. It will also be understood that the fastening material  13  need not have a rectangular shape. Rather, the fastening material  13  can be in the form of a logo that will preferably fit within the fastening material dimensions noted above. While not required, the front of the top  14 ′ may also be provided with one or more additional pieces of fastening material  15 , for example having a 1 inch square dimension, for use in holding in place one or more fastening material covered balls  11  to thereby allow the user conveniently hold the balls  11  in place on the vest  14 ′ until such time as they are ready to serve to a participating player. 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIGS. 7-9 , an additional top in the form of a uniform jersey  14 ″ is illustrated. Like the vest  14 ′, the jersey  14 ″ is also provided with a fastening material  13  that is preferably positioned in a location that would be in the middle of the chest of the wearer. The fastening material  13  is positioned in this location to allow the jersey  14 ″ to be used to train a player in how to interact with the ball via use of the chest, i.e., to learn the correct body positioning, body shape, and/or touch to control the ball  11  when received on the chest. Again, the fastening material  13  can be attached to the jersey  14 ″ by being sewn thereto, glued thereto, or the like. Alternatively, the fastening material  13  may be positioned in a pocket or sleeve that is provided to the jersey  14 ″ where the pocket or sleeve has an opening to expose the fastening material  13  for desired engagement with the ball  11 . Thus, when considering the size of a youth (an intended wearer of the jersey  14 ″), a fastening material  13  that is seen to meet the objectives of not being undersized or oversized is a fastening material  13  that is about 3 inches long by about 1 inch high. As will be appreciated, adjustments to these dimensions would be made for adult wearers. It will also be understood that the fastening material  13  need not have a rectangular shape. Rather, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the fastening material  13  can be in the form of a logo that will preferably fit within the fastening material dimensions noted above. 
         [0033]    While not required, the middle of the back of the jersey  14 ″ proximate to the neck line may also be provided with an additional piece of fastening material  17 , for example having a 1 inch square dimension, for use in holding in place a fastening material covered ball  11  to thereby allow the user conveniently hold the ball  11  in preparation of practicing a throw in. More particularly, after the covered ball  11  is stuck to the fastener material  17  on the back of the jersey  14 ″, a player need only reach behind their head to grab the ball  11  to thereby practice the execution of a legal throw in. Regarding the front of the jersey  14 ″ (as well as the vest  14 ′), the fastening material  13  will function to make the ball  11  stick to the exact position for learning chest control. Additionally, a chest pass can also be taught through use of the top  14  by using the top  14  in the manners described, namely, to teach the user to twist their body as the ball makes contact with the sweet spot in the center of the chest. The player can also use the top  14  to learn how lean back slightly to chest the ball upwards for regular chest control or to set himself for a volley. Alternatively if the player wants to get the ball onto the ground to make an early pass or shot, the top  16  can be used as described to teach the player how to arc their back forward and get over the ball  11 . 
         [0034]    Considering now  FIGS. 10 and 11 , sport training equipment in the form of bottoms  20 , such as uniform shorts, are illustrated. The bottoms  20  are also provided with a fastening material  21  that is preferably positioned in a location that would be in the middle of the thighs of the wearer. The fastening material  21  is positioned in this location to allow the bottoms  20  to be used to train a player in how to interact with the ball via use of the thighs, i.e., to learn the correct body positioning, body shape, and/or touch to control the ball  11  when received on the thigh. Again, the fastening material  21  can be attached to the bottoms  20  by being sewn thereto, glued thereto, or the like. Alternatively, the fastening material  21  may be positioned in a pocket or sleeve that is provided to the bottoms  20  where the pocket or sleeve has an opening to expose the fastening material  21  for desired engagement with the ball  11 . Thus, when considering the size of a youth (an intended wearer of the bottoms  20 ), a fastening material  21  that is seen to meet the objectives of not being undersized or oversized is a fastening material  21  that is about 4 inches high by about 2 inches wide. As will be appreciated, adjustments to these dimensions would be made for adult wearers. It will also be understood that the fastening material  21  need not have a rectangular shape. Rather, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the fastening material  21  can be in the form of a logo that will preferably fit within the fastening material dimensions noted above. As will be appreciated, a player may use the bottoms  20  in the manners described to learn how to control the ball with their thigh when the ball arrives at the player around waist high or straight down from a high clearance or pass. In this regard, the player will use the bottoms  20  to learn the correct positioning of the thigh with respect to the ball  11 , e.g., to learn how to meet the ball softly and how to cushion the ball to keep the ball close by. By use of the bottoms  20 , the player will learn thigh control to bring the ball down towards the ground to set up a volley, half volley or an early pass. 
         [0035]    Considering now  FIGS. 12-16 , sport training equipment in the form of an elastic shoe band  22  is illustrated. The shoe band  22  is also provided with a fastening material  23  and the shoe band  22  is intended to be arranged on the foot such that the fastening material  23  is positioned at the instep or at a side of the foot. The fastening material  23  is to be positioned in these locations to allow the shoe band  22  to be used to train a player in how to interact with the ball via use of their foot, i.e., to learn the correct body positioning, body shape, and/or touch to control the ball  11  when received on the foot. Again, the fastening material  23  can be attached to the band  22  by being sewn thereto, glued thereto, or the like. Alternatively, the fastening material  23  may be positioned in a pocket or sleeve that is provided to the band  22  where the pocket or sleeve has an opening to expose the fastening material  23  for desired engagement with the ball  11 . Thus, when considering the size of a youth (an intended wearer of the band  22 ), a fastening material  23  that is seen to meet the objectives of not being undersized or oversized is a fastening material  23  that is about 2 inches long by about 1 inch high. As will be appreciated, adjustments to these dimensions would be made for adult wearers. It will also be understood that the fastening material  23  need not have a rectangular shape. Rather, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the fastening material  23  can be in the form of a logo that will preferably fit within the fastening material dimensions noted above. As will be appreciated, a player may use the band  22  in the manners described to learn how to control the ball with their foot, e.g., to learn how to control the ball, pass the ball, trap the ball, shoot the ball, cross the ball, chip the ball, drive the ball, lob the ball, flick on the ball, dip the ball, swerve the ball, volley the ball, half-volley the ball, side volley the ball, free kick the ball, corner kick the ball, etc. with their foot. 
         [0036]    Considering now  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the above described sport training equipment is intended to be used in connection with a ball  11 . The ball  11  may be in the form of a light weight soccer ball and may have one or more of its panels covered with fastening material  26 . In this regard, it will be appreciated that a ball  11 ′ having fastening material  26  on only one panel thereof is particularly useful to train a player in how to interact with the ball in dead ball situations, such as corner kicks and free kicks. To this end, the ball  11 ′ is to be arranged with the fastening material  26  at a desired location such that the player can use the band  20  to interact with the  11 ′ to learn how to strike the ball to curl, swerve, and dip the ball from set plays. 
         [0037]    While various concepts have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those concepts could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. For example, in some circumstances it will be understood that a sound generating device, i.e., a device that will generate a sound in response to the ball being contacted therewith, can be used for these same purposes in lieu of or together with the fasteners being attached to the apparel. As such, the particular embodiments that have been described are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.