An apparatus for use in an American football type game includes an elongate structure defining a generally tubular body having a length extending between two opposing ends, a width, and a handgrip portion located between the ends. The width of the tubular body is generally uniform along the entire length of the body. An attachment mechanism removably receives the elongate structure at an attachment point and limits movement of substantially the entire elongate structure to that of the attachment mechanism at the attachment point. The attachment mechanism is configured to release the elongate structure therefrom when a force that overcomes an attachment force provided by the attachment mechanism is applied to the handgrip portion.

Motion-related, information-indicating systems for football generate and present flight relevant information of a thrown football. These systems include a measuring device and an indicating device. In one embodiment, the system measures the spin speed of a football using a gyro. If the spin speed is higher than a preset value, then an LED light on the football is tuned on. A quarterback assesses his spin speed by whether the LED light is on or off. In another embodiment, the indicating device is an LED light positioned on a ring worn by the quarterback. A transmitter/receiver pair transfers signals from the thrown football to the ring. In another embodiment, the system measures the acceleration of a football using an accelerometer. Further the system indicates the acceleration value on an LCD display monitor positioned on the ground. A quarterback checks the LCD display to access the strength of his throw.

Embodiments relate to an elastically deformable item of sports equipment (100; 200; 250; 300; 500), comprising at least one deformable electromagnetic coil structure (104; 204; 254; 304; 504) arranged around a curved surface (102; 106; 202; 206; 252; 256; 302; 306; 502; 506) within the item of sports equipment, wherein the at least one deformable electromagnetic coil structure has an elongation reserve corresponding to a maximum elastic deformation of the item of sports equipment.

A training system, kit, and method including a weighted wearable equipment, e.g. gloves, having a sensor (e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, photoelectric sensors, position sensors, tilt sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, blood pressure sensors, heart rate monitors, and SpO2 sensors) and including a weight enhancement (e.g. weight bodies in closed pockets); a non-weighted wearable equipment of the same type as the weighted wearable equipment, the non-weighted wearable equipment having a sensor and. not including a weight enhancement; and a training application in functional communication with each of the weighted wearable equipment and the non-weighted wearable equipment and having a data processor that includes instructions for: analyzing data received from the sensor of each of the weighted wearable equipment and the non-weighted wearable equipment and generating predictive information derived from exercise training data from the sensors.

A method can include providing an object having a size smaller than a size of a known regulation object, projecting the object, via a delivery device, toward a trainee, and training the trainee to follow the object. A method can include determining a game parameter of a game trajectory of a sports object that was projected along the game trajectory in a real-time sports event, and based on the game parameters, adapting a delivery device to deliver a training object along a training trajectory that mimics at least a portion of the game trajectory, with the training object being smaller than the sports object.

A smart soccer goal for tracking and communicating motion of objects includes a goal frame; a net coupled to the goal frame including a plurality of lights; and one or more sensors coupled to the goal frame. A first sensor of the one or more sensors is directed to detecting movement within and immediately near the smart soccer goal and a second sensor of the one or more sensors is directed to detecting movement outside of the smart soccer goal.

A system and method for measuring motion properties of a movable object, such as a sporting device, wherein the movable object has an embedded magnetized unit creating a magnetic field. A measurement device, having a first magnetic field sensor positioned a known distance away from a second magnetic field sensor, is positioned in the vicinity of the movable object's trajectory, whereby the first and second magnetic field sensors output signals when the movable object passes within their respective proximities. A control module, that is responsive to the output signals created by the magnetic field sensors, is configured to record the times of output signal events. The control module is further configured to calculate motion properties, such as the speed and rate of spin, of the movable object based upon the recorded times of various sensor output events and the known distance between the first and second magnetic field sensors.

A training or exercise apparatus may have a base and an adjacent movable armature or frame that carries a riding member, or shuttle, or carrier. The carrier has an engagement interface with an element of sporting or exercise equipment. The sporting or exercise equipment is engaged by the user, typically by being grasped. The apparatus defines a physical or virtual schedule describing an arc for a swing in the particular activity. The apparatus may include a manual or electronic means of imposing resistance to the motion. This resistance may be adjustable, and may be programmable as a function of one or both of position and speed. The apparatus may include an array of sensors such as may be used to determine the pre-existing stroke, and such as may be monitored during training to assess progress. The apparatus may be operated passively, or it may be operated interactively in a manner in which real-time feedback causes the apparatus to adjust resistance to the motion.

A soccer kicking tee is disclosed which is especially useful by soccer players to use as a training aid to learn a kicking technique known as kicking with the laces. The tee provides a support for a soccer ball at a prescribed height above the ground plane. A vertical support element interfaces with the bottom of the ball and prevents the ball from rolling or tipping over. This vertical element is supported by a base that spreads out the portion touching the ground and stabilizes the vertical element and the ball and prevents them from tipping over. The shape of the tee minimizes the likelihood that it will tip over when the ball is kicked or struck with the foot. The tee can be used on any surface and can be further secured to the ground with a golf tee or similar stake like element. The vertical support element is pliable enough to easily deflect if the foot comes into contact with it and is stiff enough to support the ball in a static position. The height of the vertical support element can also be adjusted to a lower position.

An athletic glove is provided for an athlete participating in a sport or competition. The athletic glove includes specifically designed finger receptacles for enhanced stability and protection for the athlete's fingers and improved performance. A first finger receptacle encloses the little and ring fingers preventing them from moving relative to each other. A second finger receptacle encloses the index and middle finger thus preventing them from moving relative to each other.