A sports mat system incorporating a reversible thermochromic leuco dye includes an impact pad portion having a reversible thermochromic leuco dye incorporated into it in order to provide a temporary visual indication of the path of a sports apparatus swing. The impact portion changes color with a temperature change due to frictional contact between the pad and the equipment being swung, in order to visually illustrate the swing path of the club along with the club head/face orientation during impact. In another implementation, a racquet is provided incorporating a reversible thermochromic leuco dye into a portion of racquet strings to temporarily visually illustrate the contact area between the racquet face and a ball being struck, in order to provide the user with feedback relating to characteristics of their swing.

A core muscle training apparatus and method is described. The apparatus comprises a harness that is worn by the user, to which a pair of resistance leads are connected at opposing sides of the user's waist approximately above the hips. A resistance force is applied through the resistance leads against an effort force exerted by the user in order to stimulate recruitment and activation of the targeted muscles. By adjusting the direction and the amount of resistance force applied to the resistance leads, the demand on the muscles being targeted can be controlled. The core muscle training apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure further offers versatility in the environment in which it can be used. The apparatus can be used, for example, when the user is in a static position or can be used during dynamic functional movements.

A weight apparatus suitable for attaching to athletic equipment includes a flexible main body of a weight material, wherein the flexible main body is formed into a flattened strip that has a length along its y direction that is significantly greater than its width along its x direction, wherein the flexible main body is configured to be malleable to conform in a curved manner to wrap along a head of a sporting racket and around a handle of a hockey stick.

A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.

A training weight for a sport stick is provided. The sport stick includes a housing having a sidewall, a proximal end wall and a distal end wall. The sidewall and proximal end wall include an opening and slot which are sized to accept a sport stick's handle and knob. Preferably, the training weight includes a cup which is biased by a spring to force the sport stick's knob to engage and lock to the training weight's proximal end wall. The training weight may include a cam mechanism to permit the retraction and extension of the spring and cup.

A goalie training apparatus comprised of multiple catchment voids for receiving balls. Catchment voids are oriented on a grid, and connected to a goal frame by a support matrix. Each catchment void is pyramidal in shape, having an open base for receiving a ball with an initial cross sectional area and tapering to a smaller cross sectional area. The support matrix may be woven through internal sleeves in the catchment voids and connected to the goal frame by fasteners. An anchor support may be used to help anchor the support matrix and keep the goalie training apparatus in place across the opening of a goal during use.

A reflexive training device having a rotating member that rotates around an axis while also traveling perpendicular to the plain of rotation to present the rotating member at variable vertical locations during use.

An exercise system comprising: an exercise mat; a plurality of sensors integrated into the exercise mat, each of the sensors configured to sense when a force is applied to a respective portion of the exercise mat; a plurality of displays coupled to the exercise mat and configured to display indications corresponding to desired locations for body parts of a user in accordance with an exercise routine; at least one processor disposed in communication with the plurality of sensors and the plurality of displays; and memory storing at least one exercise routine for use with the exercise mat and instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, configures the exercise system to: display on one or more of the displays indications corresponding to desired locations of a user's body part in accordance with a form of one of the exercise routines stored in memory; sense by one or more of the sensors an application of force to the exercise mat; determine that a location of the sensed application of force is different than a display location of at least one of the indications; and display on one or more of the displays at least one marker identifying a direction from the location of the sensed application of force to the display location of the at least one of the indications.

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 athletic coaching method and jersey system are provided. The method utilizes jerseys with securing elements attached thereto. Number panels having specific player numbers are secured to the jerseys for use during practice. Scout team players wear the jerseys during practice. Each scout team player has a different number to represent the jersey number of a player on an opposing team in an upcoming game. The method allows coaches to more realistically simulate a game against an opposing team in practice. When the opposing team changes for the next game, each scout team player can continue to wear the same jersey but change the jersey number by switching number panels to represent a different player on the team of the next opponent. Thus, jersey numbers can be changed so that a game can be simulated for any opponent.