A system for improving a basketball player's ability to shoot basketballs towards a basketball hoop having an improved ball sensor is disclosed. An interface allows a player to select various locations for a ball ejector to launch basketballs to. A hollow protrusion extends though the net of the basketball hoop and has a microphone positioned therein. A processor compares audio signals generated by said microphone to pre-recorded sample audio signals of a basketball passing through the net of the basketball hoop to determine if a basketball shot was successfully made.

An athletic skill training apparatus includes a generally horizontal upper ring that defines an upper opening, preferably circular and the same diameter as a traditional basketball hoop, made from a strong, lightweight material. Three lower rings are attached to the upper ring and extend downwardly and inwardly to attach to a base plate. A shock absorbing base member is elastically suspended from the lower rings and absorbs a portion of the force from a ball shot through the upper ring. The base member includes vertically spaced concentric rings of different diameters to redirect the ball out of the lower rings. The rings, the shock absorbing base member and the base plate form a goal assembly that can be positioned on a support above a playing surface.

What is provided is a football catching and throwing machine and method that includes an inclined upwardly angled path. The machine includes a collector configured to receive a football thrown into it; a ball translator configured to align the football and transport the football up the inclined path to a football accelerator that launches the football into the air; and a motor that operates the football accelerator.

The present disclosure is a game that has a mixer positioned at a first location on a gaming area and a plurality of balls randomly dispersed throughout the gaming area. In response to a command, a player on a team collects one or more of the plurality of balls, the score is incremented based upon the balls collected, the player throws the collected ball(s) into the mixer, and the mixer disperses the ball(s) back into the gaming area.

A training system includes a launching device house a computer electrically connected to a mechanical hopper and a plunger disposed within a casing sized to launch a lacrosse ball. The casing is structured and arranged to be movably connected to the housing such that at least one of a launch angle, speed, direction, distance and spin can all be selectively chosen by a user. At least one sensor is designed to be placed onto at least one of a player, the lacrosse ball, or a lacrosse net such that the sensors are structured and arranged to relay metric data to the computer in connection with a training program software operating on the computer, wherein the sensor(s) are wirelessly connected to the computer. A mobile device software application communicates with the computer for tracking the metric data and selective programming of the lacrosse ball tossing and training system by the player.

A basketball training system includes a server computer and a basketball training machine. The server computer executes a workout module that manages operation of a graphical user interface that presents a graphical representation of a portion of a basketball court and receives user inputs that define a workout program that includes selected ball delivery locations relative to the visual representation. The basketball training machine receives the workout program and delivers basketballs to the selected ball delivery locations.

A training device is described having a net and a frame. The frame has a first side frame, a second side frame defining a net receiving area. The frame includes an adjustable cross-bar with a first section coupled to the first side frame, and a second section coupled to the second side frame. The first section is movable relative to the second section for moving a first portion of the first side frame and a second portion of the second side frame between a net tensioning position a first distance apart and an assembly position a second distance apart. The second distance is less than the first distance. The first distance is a predetermined distance that properly stretches and tensions the net. The net is supported and tensioned to form a concave ramp surface when the adjustable cross-bar is in the net tensioning position.

The present invention relates to training devices used in the stick sports, particularly hockey, to improve users or corresponding stick sport players stick-handling and puck passing abilities. Hockey puck rebound device (1) comprises a first support (2) and a second support (22), at least one resilient member (20) extending between the first support (2) and the second support (22) such that the resilient member (20) is secured in a taut manner to provide a resilient spring-back force when struck by a puck (50), a cross-member (30) extending between the first support (2) and the second support (22). Each support (2, 22) comprises at least one channel (7) for inserting and securing the resilient member (20) to the support (2, 22).

A pitching interactive training system having of a mat against which a ball is thrown. The mat has an embedded electronic display of a strike zone broken down into subsidiary “zones” and an exterior perimeter of “zones” just outside the strike zone. The embedded sensors and electronics when hit with a pitch register a point value on a scoreboard. Assignment of values may be adjusted for each pitch by remote control for each batter depending upon the game situation. The electronic scoreboard registers whether a ball or a strike and values for each pitch and maintains a total score with a reset for each new batter. The embedded electronics and scoreboard are powered by battery and rechargeable via an attached electric cord plugged into a standard electrical outlet. An optional radar gun records the speed of each pitch. An optional high speed sports camera attached to the system allows measurement of pitch spin rotations, pitch release point, and captures the entire pitch delivery process for replay to aid coaching and visualizing pitch command.

A ball game and method of playing a ball game. The ball game includes a spherical, air-filled ball, a first backboard mounted on a first support pole at a predetermined height above a first end of a playing court, the first backboard comprising a pair or first hoops mounted on the first backboard, the pair of first hoops being set apart a predetermined distance from one another, and being angled with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the playing court. The pair of first hoops have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the spherical, air-filled ball.