An apparatus comprising a practice device for practice of hitting a tennis ball includes a server configured for serving the tennis ball to a user, a net disposed to intercept a flight of the tennis ball after the tennis bell has been hit by the user using a racket and to direct the captured tennis ball back towards the server to be served again to the user, an image detector configured to observe the tennis ball as the tennis ball hurtles towards the net, and a processor. The processor determines, based at least in part on image frames received from the image detector, data indicative of the tennis ball's virtual landing spot. This virtual landing spot is an estimate of where the tennis ball would have landed on an opposing court had the tennis ball not been intercepted by the net.

A racquet sports scoring system is provided. The scoring system uses a computerized display and input system to receive scoring changes. In many embodiments, the computerized interface is in communication with a database which records the score in real time, and also records scores of other concurrently-played matches. These match scores, and in some cases video of live matches played at other locations, can be viewed on the same computerized interface on which scores are recorded or on remote devices.

A flexible net system is provided that includes a net having a net first end and a net second end, a net top portion, and a net bottom portion. The system further including a pair of support bases including a first support base and a second support base, each support base including a base bottom portion, a support portion extending upwards from the base bottom portion, the support portion engaging and pivotably securing a control arm thereto, and a base strap having a base strap first end secured to the support portion and a base strap second end secured to the net bottom portion. The system further including a first net support pole and a second net support pole, wherein the first net support pole and the second net support pole are resiliently bendable and coupled between the net and respective support bases, and a plurality primary support ropes.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for autonomous tennis assistant systems that may automatically determine performance metrics and generate tennis statistics. Example methods include determining, by a device, various performance metrics for users via images captured during gameplay. For example, the device may determine whether a tennis ball landed within, outside, or on a boundary line, whether a point was scored, a ball speed of a tennis ball, topspin of a tennis ball, a type of stroke used to hit a tennis ball, whether a tennis match was won, hitting accuracy of a player, distance moved by a player, and/or other metrics. A base station may be used to provide image data for use by the tennis ball ejection robot from one or more additional vantage points.

A system for delivering balls to each of two players playing on opposite sides of a field includes a remote control unit worn or placed on each of the two players, each remote control unit configured, upon activation of a particular player, to transmit a wireless signal that identifies a location of the particular player. A ball pitching machine includes a housing configured to receive and hold the balls, at least one wheel, a ball shooting mechanism that receives the balls and shoots one of the balls at a time; and a controller that includes a position-locator, the controller configured to receive and process the signal, direct positioning of the ball shooting mechanism so as to face the player that sent the signal and shoot one of the balls in a direction of the player's position, in accordance with the signal received from the remote control unit.

A let detection system includes a sensor including an accelerometer attached to a tennis net. The sensor is in wireless communication with an umpire device able to send a message to the sensor, wherein the message causes the sensor to calibrate and begin monitoring for a let. The sensor determines a three-dimensional (3D) vector representing the gravity acting on the sensor as a baseline. When the sensor detects vertical acceleration of the net relative to the baseline and the vertical motion is above a preset threshold, the sensor automatically transmits a let notification message to the umpire device.

An interactive electronic table tennis game is provided that has a table having first and second table portions that are foldable. There are first and second table portions that are structurally the same, and the second table portion has a flat top that is made of a hard material that is clear, transparent, or translucent such that light can pass through the hard material. The flat top is mounted on a frame that defines a plurality of compartments and lights or light emitting diodes that are positioned in the compartments. The frame also supports electronics. The electronics have audio pickups, converter microcontrollers, and a table tennis game computer. When a ball hits the first and second table portions light is emitted by the LEDs in that compartment. This makes the interactive electronic table tennis game fun to play and fun to watch, because everyone can see where the ball impacts.

A method for playing a game includes positioning a shield of the game between a first target box of a first team and a second target box of a second team, the game further including at least one target of the first team and at least one projectile; positioning the at least one target of the first team in the first target box by a first player of the first team in a target setup step; positioning a second player of the second team in a second team throwing position; and throwing a projectile of the at least one projectile at the first target box by the second player while positioned in the second team throwing position.

A freestanding basketball backstop assembly returns basketballs shot at a basketball hoop to a player positioned at a location spaced apart from the basketball hoop. A net support has a base and side legs, with vertical rods removably insertable into sockets of the side legs and threaded through sleeves extending from the side edges of the net peripheral border. The base is placed in front of the post supporting the basketball backboard. In one embodiment, the net is arranged behind the post supporting the backboard, and a slit opening in the bottom periphery of the net receives a portion of the post supporting the backboard. In other embodiments, the net remains in front of the post supporting the backboard, and the vertical rods are set variably to place the net in different angle orientations so that the assembly may be used either as a backstop assembly, or as a defender barrier in front of the basketball basket or as a barrier or practice net for other sports.

The present invention proposes a court, which is a half- or full-court in which ball sports, such as soccer (penalty kicks), foot volleyball, volleyball, and basketball (3×3 basketball), can be played. The court allows balls to be automatically and rapidly supplied in the case where it takes time to resume a game, such as a case where a game is replayed or a case where a ball is out according to the characteristics of each type of sport, or in the case where serve-reception practice is required, and also allows balls to be naturally collected and lifted because the court is inclined and allows the balls to be automatically classified according to the types of balls and to be supplied to the court.