A method for training an athlete to adopt a vertical head-up position includes: placing a visor comprising an opaque region over the face of the athlete such that the opaque region of the visor blocks the upper peripheral vision of the athlete if the athlete lowers his/her head below the vertical head-up position; and having the athlete train with the visor over his/her face to teach the athlete to keep the head in the vertical head-up position, thereby minimizing a risk of head-to-head contact with another athlete during a game. An apparatus for training an athlete to adopt a vertical head-up position is also described.

A swing training assembly includes a shuttle, a shuttle travel track, a tensioner, a shuttle displacement line and a shuttle pulley. The shuttle resides in the shuttle travel track and the shuttle pulley and shuttle displacement line are adapted to linearly displace the shuttle to different shuttle positions within the shuttle travel track in response to displacement forces applied to the shuttle pulley by a user pulling on the shuttle displacement line. The tensioner provides an opposing counter-force to control the rate of shuttle displacement. The swing training assembly may also include body positioning limits to maintain proper body alignment while the user pulls on the shuttle displacement line.

Innovative apparatuses and methods for a novel training device is provided that includes a base, a frame, a material attached to the frame, wherein the material comprises a non-solid material; and an image affixed to a first side of the non-solid material, wherein the image is viewable on the first side of the non-solid material and viewable on a second side of the non-solid material.

Hockey training devices generally include a frame, and a flexible band coupled to the frame. At least one spring may be coupled to at least one longitudinal end of the flexible band. A plurality of backstop structures may be coupled to the frame to extend substantially orthogonal to a top surface of the frame. A first rebounder wing may be coupled to a first side of the frame, and a second rebounder wing may be coupled to a second side of the frame. The first and second rebounder wings may each include a respective wing structure coupled to the frame, and a respective flexible band extending between a portion of the respective wing structure and either the frame or the first flexible band. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

An underwater training apparatus is disclosed. The underwater training apparatus may include a barrel. The barrel may contain a plurality of holes disposed across the barrel. Each of the holes of the barrel may pass through a wall of the barrel. The underwater training apparatus may also include a base funnel. The base funnel may contain a plurality of holes disposed across the base funnel. Each of the holes of the base funnel may pass through a wall of the base funnel. The underwater training apparatus may also include a handle. The handle may mechanically couple the barrel and the base funnel.

Apparatuses that each include at least one body and are configured to move relative to an entrance of goal to form an obstruction. The apparatuses either operate autonomously or have a remote operator and their bodies can be moved in coordination with players, pucks, balls or other object of interest. The apparatuses also each include a removably attachable actuating support. The actuating supports of each are mechanically linked to the body, removably attachable to goals, and in operable communication either a teleoperator or autonomous controller.

The system is an athletic training station for individual and team sports. The station may be a ball-handling and passing station that includes a television with a virtual coach and training walls. The television may project a virtual trainer and the walls may allow a user to mimic passing and handling techniques by utilizing the walls of the station. The station may be stationary or portable. The station may include a front and a back portion that allow more than one user to utilize the station at a time.

There is set forth herein methods for training field hockey trainees. Methods herein can use a generally cylindrical structure that has holders for holding a field hockey stick in varying positions. According to one method actions for training can be taken with respect to first and second generally cylindrical structures each having holders for holding a field hockey stick in varying positions.

A sports ball, such as a lacrosse ball, comprising, an outer shell layer defining an enclosure having an interior volume for housing a filler material, the outer shell layer comprising a plurality of sections (pads or panels) connected along a plurality of seams, the sections having an outer surface comprising one or more layers of a substantially smooth non-woven synthetic leather, such as a synthetic suede, microfiber, or micro-velour, with an optional surface coating, which produce a frictional resistance (coefficient of friction) which decreases ball slippage against a surface or when released from the strings of a lacrosse stick.

Virtual and augmented reality sports training environments are disclosed. A user interacts with virtual players in a simulated environment of a virtual reality sporting event. In some embodiments, the user's actions and decisions are monitored by the simulated environment. The environment evaluates the user's performance, and provides quantitative scoring based on the user's decisions and timing. Coaches and other users may design customized scenarios or plays to train and test users, and the resultant scores may be reviewed by the coach. In one application, real life pitchers and their pitching data are tracked and replicated in a simulated pitching environment. A team of users may practice against a simulation of a pitcher they are about to compete against, swinging at pitches that they would see in a real game. Such environments may maximize effective practice time for users, and help develop better players with improved decision-making skills.