An apparatus for training a sports player is enclosed. The apparatus may comprise one or more static training aid and/or one or more dynamic training aid. The static training aid and the dynamic training aid each includes a base and a pole vertically extending from the base. The static training aid may also include a light source extending along the pole from a point to a second end of the pole. In some embodiments, the static training aid includes one or more accessory parts. The one or more accessory parts may include a connector transversely connecting two static training aids. The one or more accessory parts may include a stick coupled to the pole of the static training aid. The dynamic training aid may include a first stick pivotally coupled to the pole of the static training aid. The first stick may be configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pole. Aspects of the invention relate to methods of training a sports player using the static training aid and/or the dynamic training aid.

A method for selecting a most suitable golf club from a set, where the shafts of the set are of different levels of flexibility along the shaft, includes using a pressure sensing mat upon which the player places both feet while carrying out a sample swing to measure forces applied by feet of the player during the stroke. The pressure sensing mat provides output signals indicative of vertical forces, lateral forces, both heel to toe and side to side, lateral speed, both heel to toe and side to side applied by the feet of the player during the swing and a processor operating on the signals selects certain ones of the output signals to calculate a load factor from the selected signals which is used to select one of the set most suitable for use by the player using a color coding system applied to the load factor.

A game practicing system for practicing a game involving propelling a playing piece into a goal of a goal post, by a player, includes one or more game practicing apparatus, and a user interactive device. The game practicing apparatus includes a target member having a target face, a target indicative lighting, and a vibration sensor. The target indicative lighting is configured to be illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face. The vibration sensor to detect if the playing piece hits the target face. The user interactive device is wirelessly coupled to the practicing apparatus to: illuminate the target indicative lighting of game practicing apparatus to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face; and detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the illuminated target indicative lighting.

An apparatus and a method that provides a helmet cap with an embedded visor on the inside of said helmet cap to train a wearer of a football helmet to correctly position the head in an up position when tacking and blocking during sports play. The cap can be detachably but securely attached to a football helmet and upper facemask in a position where it does not obstruct the view of the helmet wearer to a position where it does obstruct the helmet wearer's view and thus forces the helmet wearer to look up.

A sports swing training device configured to be attached to a shaft of a sports implement is disclosed herein. The sports swing training device includes a grip portion configured to accommodate a first hand of a user during a swinging of the sports implement, and the grip portion configured to accommodate a second hand of a user gripping the shaft of the sports implement; a first attachment leg connected to the first end of the grip portion, the first attachment leg configured to attach to a first location on the shaft of the sports implement; and a second attachment leg connected to the second end of the grip portion, the second attachment leg configured to attach to a second location on the shaft of the sports implement. The sports swing training device is configured to assist the user in learning a proper swinging motion of the sports implement.

A head and neck orientation retainer block for training young or adult athletes for their sport while keeping their head up to provide a safer way to play, and also to enhance their skill and vision of the game. It can be worn during practices with the team and if one chooses, to practice at home. The retainer is a wedge block protrusion placed under the central forward chin of the child or adult player, to allow the player to have a wider freedom of side to side lateral movement, while the player's head is maintained horizontally for line of sight viewing purposes.

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 performance feedback based on the user's decisions and timing. 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. Some embodiments include various pitch recognition training, which may be against replicated real-life pitchers.

A puck embedding at least one transmitter circuit, and a method for producing a puck embedding at least one transmitter circuit. To protect the electronics from displacement or damage, the puck employs a layered structure. The puck has a centrally located cavity, containing a carrier structure having a rigid shell, at least one transmitter circuit supported by the carrier structure, and a battery provided within the carrier structure. The battery is embedded in a first elastic material provided within the carrier structure. The carrier structure is embedded in a second elastic material provided within the centrally located cavity.

Disclosed embodiments include athletic training devices and systems. In a non-limiting embodiment, an athletic training device includes: a chassis, a portion of the chassis being configured to receive a ball thereon; a sensor configured to sense presence of a ball on the portion of the chassis; and a display device responsive to the sensor.

Ball return devices may include a body having a front surface configured to return a ball incident thereon and a back surface. The body may be configured to be positioned at an angle to, and coincident with, an underlying surface, the angle between the ground surface and the body being variable. The ball return devices may also include an attachment mechanism coupled to the body and adapted to attach the body to an external anchoring mechanism.