An object with a tactile outer layer includes, for example, a ball having an outer surface and a series of protrusions or spikes on the outer surface. The protrusion each appear as a tear-dropped shape mass that includes a base having a relatively flat bottom adhered to the outer surface of the ball and a narrow tip and/or curved tail extending away from the outer surface.

Manufacturing can be performed by mounting the object and utilizing injection arms that deposit elastomer globules on the object. The globules are deposited by pressure through a reservoir in the injection arm and the injection arms are then withdrawn to product the tail shape.

A game ball configured for direct contact with a user's hands includes a cover formed of a natural leather and having an outer surface. The outer surface of the cover includes a pebbled texture. The pebbled texture includes a plurality of spaced apart pebble-like projections extending from a base region. Each of the pebble-like projections has a pebble height measured from the base region adjacent to the pebble-like projection to a top surface of the pebble-like projection. At least a first portion of the cover includes alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia applied by a laser ghosting process, and a second portion of the cover is formed without the indicia. The average pebble height of a plurality of the pebble-like projections in the first portion of the cover is at least 80 percent of the average height of a plurality of the pebble-like projections in the second portion of the cover.

A spiked ball includes an inflatable ball having an outer surface and a series of protrusions on the outer surface. The protrusion each appear as a tear-dropped shape mass that includes a base having a relatively flat bottom adhered to the outer surface and a narrow tip extending away from the outer surface. The narrow tip may also appear as a curved tale.

The spikes provide a unique tactile feel and a surface for gripping that is different than other balls. The spikes also cause the ball to contact or grab the ground to create a unique bounce.

An instep weighting training accessory to be releasably fastened around the instep of a shoe having studs or cleats on its sole is provided. The accessory includes a strip, a weight and a layer of padding material. The strip includes an inner layer intended to be in contact the shoe and a sheath to be arranged on the instep of the shoe. The weight is enclosed inside the sheath and the padding material is located between the weight and the inner layer of the strip. In an alternative, an instep weighting training set having a plurality of training accessories is provided.

A sport ball comprising having a plurality of panels, each of the panels having an uncompressed center thickness and a compressed outer edge surrounding the uncompressed center thickness, the panels being stitched together along the respective compressed outer edges to form a shape, an inner bladder within said shape. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein said compressed outer edge is compressed by a factor of between one-quarter and three-quarters of said uncompressed center thickness. The compressed outer edge may be compressed approximately one-half of the uncompressed center thickness. The compressed outer edge may be compressed a width approximately equal to the uncompressed center thickness. Methods of forming the sport ball are also disclosed.

A football hand off training apparatus includes a vertical stand, and a rigid bracket affixed to a side of the vertical stand at an upper position and a lower position with a length separated from the vertical stand in between the upper position and the lower position. A clamp releasably attaches to a portion of the length of the bracket. An arm rotatably connects to the clamp and releasably connects to a football and rotates in a horizontal plane.

A hack it ball game including rules and regulations for scoring points to win the hack it ball game, a ball, and a dividing apparatus. The hack it ball game is played by opposing players return the ball over the net within a court, the dividing apparatus is assembled and divides the court evenly in half to a first-section and a second-section. The hack it ball game is a competitive recreational game using a nylon sand or bead bag ball.

A launching and/or catching toy kit has a ball and at least one associated slingshot. The ball includes a spherical body, a support non-movably attached to the body, a tail, a first and a second elastic band hook oppositely disposed. The slingshot is configured to launch the ball from a first user to a second user. The slingshot includes a handle and a pair of prongs connected and/or extending from the handle top. At least one elastic band is connected to each prong. Each of the at least one elastic bands are releasably captured by their respective first or second elastic band hook on the football during launching by the first user. When two slingshots are available, the users can shoot and catch the ball between each other allowing for a game of catch.

A training ball that is operable to produce a different return trajectory versus a projected trajectory when thrown against a vertical wall as an apparatus and method of improving hand-eye coordination. The training ball includes a body that is partially elliptical in shape so as to have circumferential radius that will produce a second trajectory that is different from that of a first trajectory. The first trajectory occurs when the training ball is hurled at a vertical support surface. Furthermore, the second trajectory is the return trajectory. The method of use incorporates steps such as but not limited to tracking the training ball during its travel on its projected directory and its return trajectory.

A puck includes a main body having a first portion and a second portion securely attached to form a generally cylindrical shape with an internal cavity. One or more energy absorbing components are positioned within the internal cavity. A weight component is positioned adjacent to the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity. The weight component is sized to move in a vertical direction and deform the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity in response to movement of the puck.