Patent Document ID: 9968837
Application ID: 15373827
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of tracking the rotation axis of a thrown athletic ball as the athletic ball travels through space, comprising: providing an athletic ball with an outer surface having a first outer diameter and having one or more surface colors, the athletic ball consisting of a single rotation axis indicator defined by a first width, the single rotation axis indicator extending out from the surface of the athletic ball a first length which is at least half the distance of the first outer diameter in a fixed orientation relative to the surface of the athletic ball, the rotation axis indicator being defined by a longitudinal axis axially aligned with the rotation axis of the athletic ball, the rotation axis indicator including one or more colors different than the one or more surface colors of the athletic ball; when gripping the athletic ball with a throwing hand (1) locating the rotation axis indicator apart from the palm of the throwing hand of a user in one of a plurality of locations according to a desired rotation of the athletic ball, a desired travel path of the athletic ball in space and a desired directional movement of the rotation axis indicator to be achieved when thrown and (2) placing the fingertips of the throwing hand about the surface of the athletic ball apart from the rotation axis indicator according to said desired rotation, travel path and directional movement in a manner effective to maintain a natural relationship between the athletic ball and the throwing hand, wherein the location of the fingertips in relation to the location of the rotation axis indicator is determined according to said desired rotation, travel path and directional movement; and once the athletic ball is thrown, observing the rotation axis indicator as the athletic ball travels through space along its travel path.