A tennis ball may include a spherical hollow core having an inner surface including material shift lines and a textile outer layer over and about the core.

Sports training equipment for building fundamental skills of ball handling and control. The glove desensitizes the fingertips and causes the player to rely on the deeper muscle sensations for ball control. Weights on the mid-forearm enhance strength training without interfering with joints, and a removable ball cover adds unpredictability to further enhance a player's control and reaction.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a toy deformable to several structural configurations. The toy includes two endcaps connected by a plurality of pliable ribs. The toy may be deformed into a low-profile configuration by pressing the endcaps together, the ribs bending outward to accommodate the deformation. The toy may be deformed into a high-profile configuration by squeezing the ribs together, the endcaps being pushed apart to accommodate the deformation. While pressure is not applied to the toy, the toy may enter a non-deformed configuration wherein the ribs and the toy as a whole take on a substantially spherical form. A retention device may also be utilized to confine the toy to a specific configuration.

A juggling module (1) designed to feature one or more cohesive handles (3) fixed to links (6) in the aim of realizing a complex assembly, characterized by at least one fixation system (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) that can be fixed or detachable and allowing specific fastening of the said cohesive handles. The link is composed of one or more segments made of rigid, elastic or flexible materials. The fastening system (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) is constituted with a magnetic and/or auto-adhesive and/or a mechanical system. Alternatively, the fastening system is electrically controlled and the module features various electronic circuits such as a command unit (82), controlling the fastening system but also various secondary functions.

The present ball kicking training aid has a substantially rectangular prism-like shape, with at least one kicking face with a kicking instructional graphic that provides guidance to the practicing player on where to kick and how to kick a ball, such as a soccer ball, an American football, or similar. Because it is proper foot planting is important, at least one non-kicking face is provided to the side of the kicking face with a foot plant instructional graphic for the non-kicking foot. The players can practice multiple kicks in quick succession without the ball kicking training aid moving a substantial distance, so that the player can increase kicking skills in a short timeframe.

An inflatable sports ball includes an outer cover defining an interior space and having a valve hole communicating with the interior space, an inner bladder disposed in the interior space and including two bladder halves fixed to each other, and an inflation unit disposed on the inner bladder and aligned with the valve hole. Each bladder half has an inner wall surface defining an inflatable space, and a peripheral edge surface connected to the peripheral edge surface of the other bladder half. The rib plates intersect with each other to divide the inflatable space into a plurality of inflatable regions.

An automated objective American-football evaluation system may include an American-style football, at least one sensor carried by the football, and electronics to: (a) receive a string of sensor signals from the at least one accelerometer; (b) determine a time of an initial impact of the football with a receiver based upon the received string of sensor signals; and (c) output a catch quality, the catch quality being based upon a portion of the string of sensor signals that is based upon the determined time of the initial impact of the football with the receiver.

An automated objective American-football evaluation system may include an American-style football, at least one sensor carried by the football, the at least one sensor comprising at least one accelerometer carried by the football and electronics. The electronics are to: (a) receive a string of sensor signals from the at least one sensor; (b) determine a characteristic of a throw of the football based upon the received string of sensor signals; (c) determine an identity of a football player associated with the throw of the football; (d) assign the determined characteristic of the throw of the football to the determined identity of the football player; and (e) output the determined characteristic of the throw, the determined identity of the football player and the assignment of the determined characteristic of the throw of the football to the determined identity the football.

The present disclosure relates to a game ball having one or more grip zones that have greater frictional interaction compared to the outer surface of the game ball. The grip zones are made by stitching of a coated thread upon at least one cover panel to create the grip zone. The grip zone formed from the coated thread enhances the handling characteristics and playability of the resulting game ball.

A self-propelled rocket toy includes an elongated body located along a longitudinal axis having a top end opposite a bottom end. The body includes at least two supports outwardly extending from and fixed relative to the body. A propeller is centered about the longitudinal axis located at the bottom end. An electric motor is disposed within the body and mechanically connected to the propeller. A power source is disposed within the body and electrically connected to the electric motor. An activation mechanism is electrically connected to the electric motor and the power source. The activation mechanism may be a launch button. A countdown timer is in communication with the electric motor and the power source configured to delay the activation of the rocket after the launch button is pressed by a user. A flight timer is configured to automatically turn off the electric motor after a predetermined time has elapsed.