Abstract:
A lacrosse stick has four discrete optically discernible colored zones at specified positions along the shaft of the lacrosse stick corresponding to preferred hand positions for different lacrosse stick maneuvers. Zone stops are disposed between the different colored zones and are formed from a material that provides a unique tactile feel as compared to the colored zones. A coach can issue training instructions consisting of two colors corresponding to the colors of the zones to identify preferred hand positions for a lacrosse training exercise.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 61/413,071, filed on Nov. 12, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates lacrosse sticks, to a training device for lacrosse and to a training method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The game of lacrosse has had a presence in North America for hundreds of years. First invented by Native Americans, the game became popular in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States in the 20 th  century. More recently, lacrosse has begun to spread across the country. The game has become more widespread on college and high school campuses, which has in turn led to an increase in youth leagues and instructional camps. In the past, the relatively small lacrosse community meant a low player to instructor ratio and frequent one-on-one training. However, the sudden rise in popularity of the sport, combined with the absence of lucrative professional contracts has led to an increase in players without a corresponding increase in instructors. 
         [0006]    A typical game of lacrosse is played between two teams, each with ten players on the field. A team has one goalie, three defensemen, three midfielders, and three attackers. The equipment used for lacrosse consists of a stick, a hard rubber ball, and a variety of protective gear including helmets, gloves, and shoulder pads. The lacrosse stick consists of a shaft with a basket-like attachment secured at one end of the shaft. In men&#39;s lacrosse, the length of the shaft is typically determined by the position one plays. A defenseman&#39;s lacrosse stick is generally between fifty-two and seventy-two inches long. By contrast, an attacker&#39;s stick is usually between forty and forty-two inches long. The defenseman&#39;s stick is useful for corralling opposing players, “poking” the ball away, and blocking shots while the attackman&#39;s stick is easier to control and lends itself to maintaining possession of the ball and taking hard, accurate shots on goal. In women&#39;s lacrosse, regulations require the stick to be between 35.5″ and 43.25″ long. Regardless of the length of a particular lacrosse stick or the position a player occupies, all players must be familiar with several standard lacrosse actions including but not limited to: shooting, passing, cradling, and checking. 
         [0007]    Lacrosse is a fast paced game, which makes training and coaching players difficult. Particularly, it is difficult to teach the proper mechanics for the standard lacrosse actions. One of the more important aspects of mastering the standard lacrosse actions is proper hand placement on the shaft. For instance, a player may have his hands close together near the bottom of the shaft to maximize torque and velocity while shooting the ball at the goal. Alternatively, it may be preferable to have the hands spaced apart when passing the ball to ensure accuracy. Improper hand placement will lead to errant shots and passes. Additionally, some lacrosse rules require specific hand placement. For instance, a player will receive a penalty if he cross checks an opponent with his hands spaced apart. Each of these maneuvers are difficult to learn and the preferred method of performing the maneuvers is often counterintuitive. 
         [0008]    The rapid increase in participation and the relative lack of instructors has made it more difficult to ensure each player has proper hand placement during such lacrosse maneuvers as shooting, passing, catching, cradling, checking, and picking up groundballs. Thus, it is necessary to have a training device that allows coaches to visually check hand placement, to convey instructions verbally for proper hand placement, and for players to self-correct improper techniques. 
         [0009]    In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide a training device to assist in teaching proper hand-positioning on a lacrosse stick. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a training device that is removably attachable from a lacrosse stick. 
         [0011]    It is a still further object of the invention to provide a training device with tactile indicia to aid in hand-positioning on a lacrosse stick. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention relates to a lacrosse stick with an elongate shaft having opposite top and bottom ends. The shaft may be formed from a hollow tube that has a substantially uniform cross-section over the entire length of the shaft. A threaded opening may be formed at the top end of the shaft and preferably is aligned along the axis of the shaft. A basket-like head may be attached threadedly to the threaded opening in the top end of the shaft. 
         [0013]    The shaft has an array of discrete zones that are arranged consecutively from a position at or near the bottom end of the shaft to a position at or near the top end of the shaft. The zones can be distinguished from one another by clearly discernable optical and/or tactile stimuli. For example, the zones may be distinguished optically from one another by providing different colors for adjacent zones and preferably different colors for each zone. Additionally or alternatively, the zones may be distinguished optically from one another by optically distinguishable designs, letters, numbers or the like. 
         [0014]    The lacrosse stick shaft also preferably comprises means for providing tactile identification of the demarcations between the respective zones. The means for providing tactile identification preferably comprises zone stops disposed at the demarcations between the respective zones. The zone stops may define regions of the shaft that are cross-sectionally larger or smaller than other regions. Alternatively, the zone stops may define regions with a different surface texture or feel than other regions. The zone stops preferably have a significantly shorter axial length than any of the zones. In alternate embodiments, the means for providing tactile identification may comprise different surface textures for the respective zones. 
         [0015]    In the preferred embodiment, the lacrosse stick shaft has four discrete zones separated by three zone stops. For purposes of this specification, the respective zones will be referred to as a bottom zone adjacent the bottom end of the shaft, a lower intermediate zone adjacent the bottom zone, an upper intermediate zone adjacent the lower intermediate zone and a top zone adjacent the top end of the shaft. The bottom and lower intermediate zone are separated by a bottom zone stop. The lower and upper intermediate zones are separated by an intermediate zone stop. The upper intermediate zone and the top zone are separated from one another by a top zone stop. In actual practice, the respective zones are likely to be referred to by their colors, such as black, red, white and gray. Of course, other colors can be provided. However, the color selection preferably is carried out to provide a clear visual demarcation between the zones. Thus, a black zone can be adjacent to a red zone, but preferably is not be adjacent a gray zone. Thus, each zone only is adjacent to zones that are noticeably darker or lighter. 
         [0016]    The relative dimensions of each zone along the length of the shaft may be dependent upon the skill level and the gender of the lacrosse player. In this regard, the dimension of lacrosse sticks for girls at the high school level is different than the dimension of lacrosse sticks for high school boys. The axial length of the upper intermediate zone typically will be longer than the axial lengths of the other zones for lacrosse sticks intended for either boys or girls. Additionally, the axial length of the upper intermediate zone on a lacrosse stick for girls is comparatively longer than the axial length of the upper intermediate zone for a lacrosse stick intended for boys. 
         [0017]    The lacrosse stick of the invention may be provided permanently with an array of discrete zones that can be distinguished from one another by clearly discernable optical and/or tactile stimuli. However, these additions to the standard lacrosse stick may be unwanted, impractical or impermissible for use in a regulation game. Many lacrosse players will not want to have separate sticks for training and for games. As a result, the invention also relates to a training device that can be mounted removably or repositionably on a conventional lacrosse stick. Thus, the training device can be applied for use during training and practice sections, removed for games and then reapplied after a game for subsequent practice and training sessions. 
         [0018]    The training device of the invention preferably comprises a thin sheet of flexible material, such as a polyester fabric, having opposite first and second surfaces. A removable or repositionable adhesive preferably is applied to the first surface so that the sheet can be applied removably to the shaft of the lacrosse stick. The adhesive is selected so that no adhesive residue will remain on the lacrosse stick shaft when the sheet is removed. The second surface of the sheet preferably has optically discrete zones printed or otherwise provided thereon so that the respective zones are visually distinguishable from one another. The indicia printed or otherwise provided on the sheet material may include markings to indicate top and bottom ends of the sheet to ensure that the sheet material is mounted onto the lacrosse stick shaft in the proper orientation. The sheet material preferably is substantially rectangular with opposite top and bottom end edges spaced apart by a specified length and opposite side edges extending between the end edges and spaced apart by a specified width. The boundaries between the zones imprinted on the second surface preferably extend substantially parallel to the top and bottom end edges and extend continuously between the opposite side edges. The rectangular sheet preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of the lacrosse stick shaft and a width substantially equal to the circumference of the lacrosse stick shaft. Thus, the sheet material can be secured around the lacrosse stick shaft and removed or repositioned. The side edges of the sheet preferably are in abutting edge to edge relationship when the sheet is on the shaft 
         [0019]    The training device also preferably is comprised of a plurality of zone stops. Each zone stop may be affixed permanently or removably to the second surface of the sheet material before or after the sheet material is attached to the lacrosse stick shaft. For example, each zone stop may be a short strip of adhesive-backed looped fabric, such as the looped fabric half of a hook and loop fabric fastening system. Each adhesive-backed looped fabric strip has a length sufficient to wrap around the lacrosse stick shaft and a width sufficient for easy tactile detection by a lacrosse player. For example, each adhesive-backed zone stop may have a width of approximately 0.5-1.0 inch. 
         [0020]    The components of the training device may be packaged and sold as a kit that includes at least one adhesive backed sheet and a sufficient number of zone stops (e.g. three). A release liner may be attached removably to the adhesive on the first surface of the sheet material. The training device assembly may be applied to the lacrosse shaft by placing the sheet on a substantially flat substrate with the first surface of the sheet facing up and with due consideration for the orientation of the designated top and bottom edges of the sheet. The release liner then may be removed to expose the adhesive. The lacrosse stick shaft then is placed on the adhesive with the top end of the shaft approximately at the top edge of the sheet, the bottom edge of the shaft approximately at the bottom edge of the sheet and the axis of the shaft aligned substantially parallel to the side edges of the sheet. The sheet then merely is wrapped around the shaft and is secured in position by the adhesive with the opposite side edges of the sheet being in substantially in edge to edge contact. An error in the application of the sheet is not problematic due to the removable and repositionable characteristics of the adhesive. The user then attaches the zone stops to the second or outer surface of the sheet to wrap around the lacrosse stick shaft at the boundaries between the respective zones. The opposite end edge of the zone stops preferably are in edge to edge relationship at positions substantially registered with the abutting side edges of the sheet. 
         [0021]    The properly mounted training device provides clearly discernable areas of visual and tactile stimuli to distinguish areas of the shaft that are intended to have different functions. A coach can use the training device during practice sessions or drills by providing verbal cues or instructions for proper hand placement. Typically, the zones will have different colors and the verbal cues or instructions will be provided by identifying the color combinations that should be used for different situations, as explained further herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a lacrosse stick in accordance with the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is bottom plan view of a sheet of material of the lacrosse training device prior to mounting on the lacrosse stick. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the sheet of material shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a zone stop of the training device. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an end elevational view of the zone stop. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a kit with the sheet and three zone stops. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    A lacrosse stick in accordance with the invention is identified generally by the numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1-3 . The lacrosse stick  10  has an elongate shaft  12  with opposite top and bottom ends  14  and  16 . A basket-like head  18  is attached to the top end  14  of the shaft  12 . The shaft  12  has four visually discrete and recognizable zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 . More particularly, a bottom zone  20  is substantially adjacent the bottom end  16  of the shaft  12 , a lower intermediate zone  22  is adjacent the bottom zone  20 , an upper intermediate zone  24  is adjacent the lower intermediate zone  22  and a top zone  26  is between the upper intermediate zone  24  and the top end  14  of the shaft  12 . In this embodiment, the zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  are rendered visually distinct by different colors. More particularly, the bottom zone  20  is red, the lower intermediate zone  22  is black, the upper intermediate zone  24  is white and the top zone  26  is grey. Of course other colors are possible, but the adjacent colors should alternate between dark and light to enhance visual distinction between the respective zones  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 . 
         [0031]    Zone stops  21 ,  23  and  25  are provided between adjacent zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25 . The zone stops  21 ,  23  and  25  of this embodiment project farther out than the respective zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  to provide a distinct tactile indication of the demarcations between the respective zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  that can be detected by the hands of a lacrosse player. Thus, the zone stops  21 ,  23  and  25  provide a tactile stimulus that allows a player to differentiate between the zones  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  without requiring the player to look at the shaft  12  to determine proper hand placement. 
         [0032]    The lengths of the respective zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  may vary in accordance with the skill level and gender of the player. For example, a boy&#39;s stick  10  will have a bottom zone  20  with a length of about 6.25 inches, a lower intermediate zone  22  with a length of about 6.25 inches, an upper intermediate zone  24  with a length of about 6.75 inches and a top zone  26  with a length of about 6.00 inches. A girl&#39;s stick  10  will have the bottom zone  20  with a length of about 5.25 inches, a lower intermediate zone  22  with a length of about 6.00 inches, an upper intermediate zone  24  with a length of about 7.50 inches and a top zone  26  with a length of about 5.00 inches. Each zone stop  21 ,  23 ,  25  will have an axial dimension of about 0.50-1.00 inch. 
         [0033]    The zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  and the zone stops  21 ,  23  and  25  may be permanent parts of the lacrosse stick  10 . However, the zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  and the zone stops  21 ,  23  and  25  may be part of a training device  40  that is removably attached to the lacrosse stick  10 . More particularly, the training device  40  comprises a flexible rectangular sheet  42  formed from a flexible material, such as a polyester fabric, with opposite first and second surfaces  44  and  46 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In the preferred embodiment, the sheet  42  has a thickness of about 0.01 mil. The sheet  42  has opposite top and bottom edges  48  and  50  and opposite side edges  52  and  54 . The top and bottom edges  48  and  50  are spaced from one another by a length substantially equal to the length of the shaft  12 . The side edges  52  and  54  are spaced from one another by a width substantially equal to the circumference of the shaft  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the sheet  42  will have a length of about 27 inches and a width of about 3.5 inches. The first surface  44  of the sheet preferably has a removable and repositionable adhesive  56  and a release liner  58  on the adhesive  56 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The adhesive backed polyester fabric sheet  42  may be the sheet material sold under the trademark PHOTO TEX. Areas of the release liner  58  and/or the first surface  44  preferably are printed with indicia to identify the top and bottom edges  48  and  50 . 
         [0034]    The second surface  46  of the sheet  42  is printed or otherwise provided with the zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Demarcations between the zones  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  are substantially linear and parallel to the top and bottom edges  48  and  50 . 
         [0035]    The training device  40  also includes three zone stops  21 ,  23 ,  25 , each of which preferably is a strip of looped fabric with a permanent or releasable adhesive on the back face, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The looped fabric may be the type sold under the trademark VELCRO. Each zone stop strip  21 ,  23 ,  25  has a length L substantially to the circumference of the shaft  12  and a width W of about 0.50-1.00 inch. 
         [0036]    The training device  40  may be packaged and sold as a kit  60 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The kit  60  includes at least one adhesive backed sheet  42  and a sufficient number of zone stops  21 ,  23 ,  25 . The training device  40  may be applied to the shaft  12  of the lacrosse shaft  10  by placing the sheet  42  on a substantially flat substrate with the first surface  44  of the sheet  42  facing up and with due consideration for the orientation of the designated top and bottom edges  48  and  50  of the sheet  42 . The release liner  58  then may be removed to expose the adhesive  56 . The shaft  12  of the lacrosse stick  10  then is placed on the adhesive  10  with the top end  14  of the shaft  12  approximately at the top edge  48  of the sheet  42 , the bottom end  16  of the shaft  12  approximately at the bottom edge  50  of the sheet  42  and the axis of the shaft  12  aligned substantially parallel to the side edges  52 ,  54  of the sheet  42 . The sheet  42  then merely is wrapped around the shaft  12  and is secured in position by the adhesive  56  with the opposite side edges  52 ,  54  of the sheet  42  being in substantially in edge to edge contact. The user then attaches the zone stops  21 ,  23 ,  25  to the second or outer surface  16  of the sheet  42  to wrap the zone stops  21 ,  23 ,  25  around the shaft  12  of the lacrosse stick  10  at the boundaries between the respective zones  20 ,  22 ,  24   26 . The opposite end edges of the zone stops  21 ,  23 ,  25  preferably are in edge to edge relationship at positions substantially registered with the abutting side edges  52 ,  54  of the sheet  42 . 
         [0037]    The properly mounted training device  40  provides clearly discernible areas of visual and tactile stimuli that distinguish areas of the shaft  12  that are intended to have different functions. A coach can use the training device  40  during practice sessions or drills by providing verbal cues or instructions for proper hand placement. As explained above, the preferred embodiment has zones  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  of different colors and the verbal cues or instructions are provided by identifying the color combinations that should be used for different situations. For example, in the preferred embodiment where the bottom zone  20  is red, the lower intermediate zone  22  is black, the upper intermediate zone  24  is white and the top zone  26  is grey, an instruction for catching will be “black white”. These hand positions will enable the player to keep catches under control. An instruction for passing also will be “black white” for quick accurate passing. However, an instruction for scooping a ground ball will be “black grey” to enable a player to scoop a ball efficiently from the ground. An instruction for cradling also will be “black grey” to enable a player to maneuver around opponents with complete control of the ball. The instruction for a time zone shot will be “black red” to achieve maximum shot speed. An instruction for an inside shot will be “bottom zone stop white” so that the player positions the lower hand at the zone stop  21  between the black and red zones  20 ,  22  and positions the upper hand at the white zone for a short quick release shot. It will be appreciated that the invention combines the visual and tactile stimuli of the stick with the audible stimuli of the coach. 
         [0038]    To remove the training device  40 , a user pulls either edge  52  or  54  away from the shaft  1 . The training device  40  separates from the shaft  12  without leaving an adhesive residue. Thus, a player can use the lacrosse stick  10  without the training device  40  during a lacrosse game and easily reattach the training device  40  for a practice.