A golf instruction method, apparatus and analytics platform for determining the state of a putted golf ball relative to a target using information about the golf ball and external variables and remotely displaying the same, comprising a base unit, a mobile device or terminal, and an associated computer program including an analytics engine for analyzing a user's performance. The computer program determines whether and how a putted golf ball has missed said target and then stores, aggregates and displays that information for a user. The analytics engine is operable to aggregate data, analyze data and then correlate a user's actual skill proficiency to ball performance.

Techniques for providing acoustic feedback are disclosed. Several audio clips (21-23) have a synchronized beat. A sensor signal (16) received from a sensor has a sensor signal range divided by first and second thresholds (11, 12) into at least three sensor signal sub-ranges (13-15). An audio signal is output in response to the received sensor signal (16), the output audio signal comprising one or more of the audio clips. If the received sensor signal (16) exceeds the first threshold (11), at least one (21) of the one or more audio clips is discontinued and/or at least one additional audio clip (22) of the audio clips is initiated in synchronization with the one or more audio clips (21). If the received sensor signal (16) falls below the second threshold (12), at least one (21) of the one or more audio clips is discontinued and/or at least one additional audio clip (23) of the audio clips is initiated in synchronization with the one or more audio clips (21).

A tennis ball retriever for retrieving a tennis ball on and about a tennis court and for controllably releasing the ball includes a front-end ball collector having two spaced-apart blades defining a ball collection space. The retriever includes one or more detents for retaining the collected ball in the collection space until a programmed or manually-directed release toward a target location such as a tennis baseline. The retriever includes a processor-controller for controlling and directing the retriever during a retrieval session. The retriever may be remote-controlled such as by voice commands.

A body weight support system includes a trolley, a powered conductor operatively coupled to a power supply, and a patient attachment mechanism. The trolley can include a drive system, a control system, and a patient support system. The drive system is movably coupled to a support rail. At least a portion of the control system is physically and electrically coupled to the powered conductor. The patient support mechanism is at least temporarily coupled to the patient attachment mechanism. The control system can control at least a portion of the patient support mechanism based at least in part on a force applied to the patient attachment mechanism.

A system for quantification of exercise and physical therapy includes an anchoring module and an electronics module. The anchoring module is removably attached to an object (e.g., a flexible resistive band) or equipped with a clamping mechanism for removably securing the object. The anchoring module also includes an anchoring-module coupling fixture. At least one of the modules includes a sensor (e.g., a force sensor) configured to generate a signal representative of a user's performance during exercise or physical therapy; a processor configured to receive signals from the force sensor; a computer storage medium storing software code and in communication with the processor, wherein the software code includes instruction for processing the signals from the force sensor to quantify the performance; and at least one electronics-module coupling fixture configured to secure the electronics module to the anchoring module coupling fixture.

An interactive exercise system includes a mechanical support system and a display module held by the mechanical support system. At least one force-controlled component is engageable by a user and connected to the mechanical support system, with the force-controlled component configure to reduce force when applied user force is great enough to cause tip-over or unwanted movement of the mechanical support system. The force-controlled component can be graspable by a user and allows for a range of exercise types and programs.

A training apparatus is disclosed that comprises an obstacle member defining a pass-under area for a sports player to pass a sport-projectile through when in use. The training apparatus comprises a first sensor that is configured to detect the sport-projectile passing through the pass-under area, and a controller that is configured to determine a pass-through direction of the sport-projectile that passes through the pass-under area based on data received from the first sensor. The training apparatus also comprises a lighting fixture indicating an instructed pass-through direction for the sports player to pass the sport-projectile through the pass-under area. A system for training a sports player is described that comprises a plurality of training apparatuses that are remotely configurable to define a training drill for a sports player and to collect training data from execution of the training drill. A method for training a sports player is also disclosed.

Systems for assisting a user with programming of a custom basketball shots made in a row practice arrangement includes a control system which receives data from a user interface indicating a user selection of a number of shots to be made in a row at each of a subset of pass receipt locations in the custom basketball shots made in a row practice arrangement and command a ball ejector to launch basketballs to a particular one of the pass receipt locations in the subset until data is received indicating that the number of shots is made in a row is made, and instead begin launching basketballs to a second particular one of the plurality of pass receipt locations in the subset. The control system also generates data for a report indicating performance feedback for the user during the custom basketball shots made in a row practice arrangement.

An electronic tracking system for assisting a user in determining distances to landmarks and objects in a sporting environment includes a user tracking system for determining the location of a user, a heads up display for displaying information to the user, and a processor operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the heads up display. The heads up display is designed to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within the user's field of view. The processor is programmed to determine a distance between the user's determined location and an object or a landmark on. This information is displayed via the heads up display as a numeric representation of the determined distance.

A user interface includes a plurality of pass receipt locations rendered at spaced positions on or adjacent to the rendering of a three-point line to correspond with pass receipt locations on a basketball playing surface. Each pass receipt location is individually and directly selected by physical touch to define a custom basketball practice arrangement which is programmed into a control system to cause an ejector mounted to a frame to launch at least one basketball to each selected location.