An apparatus includes a rolling mechanism and a pulley device. The rolling mechanism is connected to a cable and configured to traverse the cable from a first end of the cable toward a second end of the cable, the cable being attached to and extending between a pair of support members. The pulley device is removably coupled to the rolling mechanism and attached to a tackling bag, the tackling bag being configured to be tackled when propelled from the one of the pair of support members toward the other of the pair of support members. The pulley device is separated from the cable when the tackling bag is propelled from the one of the pair of support members toward the other of the pair of support members.

A virtual reality (VR) system comprising a head-mounted display (HMD) and handheld controller set is enhanced to provide a more realistic end user VR experience, e.g., for boxing or other interactive training. In this approach, and in lieu of simply establishing a boundary area for the VR experience, the user also maps a position of a real-world object into a reference frame of the VR environment. This mapping is facilitated using the handheld controller itself, e.g., as positioned in a backwards-facing manner on the user's forearm. The real-world object is then simulated in the 3D VR environment as rendered by the VR HMD, and the user interacts with the real-world object (or its simulation) to provide a more enjoyable and useful interactive experience.

Training accessories and methods for improving athletic techniques, such as, for example, tackling form for football. A display can be coupled to a piece of athletic equipment, such as a tackling dummy, and the display depicts a symbol at a time at which a player is or is about to interact with the equipment or perform a movement or action. An input is provided of the player's identification of the depicted symbol and compared to the symbol that was actually depicted. The player's correct identification of the depicted symbol can indicate that the player performed the movement or action, or the interaction with the equipment, with appropriate form. A player's failure to correctly identify the depicted symbol can indicate to a coach that the player may need further instruction on proper technique or form with which the movement or action, or the interaction with the equipment, should be performed.

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for measuring physical impacts to various surfaces, including athletic equipment such as punching bags, tackling dummies, etc. An example system includes a punching bag and a plurality of force sensors coupled to the punching bag. The force sensors are configured to detect physical impacts on the punching bag.

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for measuring physical impacts to various surfaces, including athletic equipment such as punching bags, tackling dummies, etc. An example system includes a punching bag and a plurality of force sensors coupled to the punching bag. The force sensors are configured to detect physical impacts on the punching bag.

A tackle training apparatus includes a padded body member and two padded elongate leg members in which each leg member has a first end for abutting the body member and a second end for contacting the ground. The two leg members are arranged in relation to the body member to extend from and to be resiliently movable relative to and/or separable from the body member, and in one configuration where the second end of each of the two leg members is placed on the ground, the two leg members can support the body member such that the apparatus is in a standing position, provides an effective training apparatus for improvements in collisions and especially tackles in rugby. Use of the apparatus facilitates improvement in point of contact, height of approach, grip technique and grip strength.

An apparatus includes a pair of support members, a cable, a rolling mechanism, a tackling bag and a pulley device. The pair of support members are fixedly coupled to a surface. The cable is attached to and extends between the pair of support members. The rolling mechanism is connected to the cable and configured to traverse the cable from a first end of the cable toward a second end of the cable. The tackling bag is attached to the rolling mechanism and configured to be propelled from one of the pair of support members toward the other of the pair of support members. The pulley device is coupled to the rolling mechanism and attached to the tackling bag. The pulley device is separated from the cable when the tackling bag is propelled from the one of the pair of support members toward the other of the pair of support members.

A virtual reality (VR) system comprising a head-mounted display (HMD) and handheld controller set is enhanced to provide a more realistic end user VR experience, e.g., for generalized surface interactions in the VR environment. The techniques herein leverage controller-less calibration with any type of surface, followed by surface interactions in the VR environment. An example use case is an interactive fitness training session.

A system for boxing and exercise includes a base, a support connected to and extending vertically from the base, an extended cylindrical bag having a top, a bottom, and a mid-section, a concave zone of the mid-section of the bag, and a sensor connected to the bag. The sensor is communicatively connected to an application program (app) of a processing device for measure of strike count, strike power, strike angle and strike reaction time to the extended cylindrical bag. The concave zone simulates upper cuts, kidney punch, and other human opponent characteristics for strike.

A punching bag training comprises a flexible housing adapted to be wrapped around a punching bag. The housing supports a strike pad array. Each strike pad in the array comprises a force sensor to detect strikes, together with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are positioned around the force sensor and that are lit when the user strikes the pad accurately (e.g., within a predetermined strike zone, and within a predetermined time). In addition, each strike pad has associated therewith an extension (or connecting) portion that couples the strike pad to the center portion. The connecting portion advantageously includes a set of LEDs that are selectively lit to telegraph a hit point to the user, namely, the strike pad associated with the connecting portion. The LEDs arranged on the connecting portion serve as a runway with the LEDs being lit progressively from the center portion and outward toward the strike pad to be hit next in a programmed hit sequence. As the user interacts with the system, speed, timing and accuracy preferably are measured to determine a score. The lighting elements are controlled using a controller unit that may be integral with the housing, attached thereto, or coupled to the housing wirelessly. The controller unit outputs one or more programmed hit sequences (i.e., to provide the control signals that activate the LEDs), and to detect and record electrical signals generated by the force sensors as the user strikes the pads.