Patent ID: 8550063

Claim:
A system for service of a ball to a user, comprising: an accelerator configured to serve the ball with a plurality of selectable ball trajectories, each ball trajectory including a value for each of an exit speed of the ball from the accelerator, a rate and an axis of spin imparted to the ball upon exit from the accelerator, and an initial direction of flight of the ball on exit from the accelerator; a ball feeder configured to automatically feed one ball at a time from among a plurality of balls to the accelerator for service; and an electronic control system coupled to the accelerator and the ball feeder and configured to store and execute a training program that includes a plurality of ball service specifications, each ball service specification including the ball trajectory and at least one of a starting position of the user relative to the device, an identification of at least one location on the user's body to touch the ball, a time interval to wait before service of the ball, and an action for the user to take with the ball.