A compression device for applying controllable compression to a portion of the anatomy of a user, includes a body, at least one memory wire embedded in the body and configured to contract in length upon application of a current so as to reduce an effective length of the body and apply a compressive force to the portion of the anatomy of the user, and a controller configured to selectively apply current to the memory wires to contract the memory wires and reduce the effective length of the body. The controller includes a circuit board supported by the body and a microcontroller mounted to the circuit board, the microcontroller programmed to actuate the memory wires according to a compression protocol stored in a memory associated with the microcontroller. Each memory wire has a first end fixedly connected to the circuit board and a second end fixed relative to the body.

A portable sports rack and delivery system including an elongate rack enclosure, and a method of use thereof are provided. The elongate rack enclosure defines a storage space for accommodating balls stacked one above the other. A delivery opening, disposed at a first end of the elongate rack enclosure, receives, accommodates, and delivers an uppermost ball from the storage space. A base member, attached to a second end of the elongate rack enclosure, supports the stacked balls within the storage space. A release component including a compression spring, disposed on an upper surface of the base member, elastically compresses and expands to elevate and release the uppermost ball from the storage space for delivery through the delivery opening. A training component, operably and adjustably coupled to a rear section of the elongate rack enclosure, extends above the first end of the elongate rack enclosure to assist in training a sportsperson.

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.

A sporting apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide an electronically and programmably controlled sporting device, which may include a sporting robotic device, which may include one or more of: at least one pair of parallel panels facing one another forming a tunnel space, with an array of sensors on an inner periphery of the parallel panels; or a plurality of sensors arranged in an array on an inner periphery of a tunnel space; where the plurality of sensors is configured to detect, and sense a projectile following a path through the tunnel space; and at least one data collection system configured to: capture a time stamp and location of occurrence of a detection event, store the time stamp and the location of the detection event, and analyze a trajectory and path followed by the projectile through the tunnel space.

A system for assisting a user with practicing basketball skills includes an ejector which passes basketballs to shooting locations at a playing surface for the user to catch and shoot towards a basketball goal. A user interface includes individually selectable input locations arranged along a rendering of a three-point arc to represent the shooting locations. The user interface receives a user selection of individual ones of the individually selectable input locations (the selected locations) through direct, physical touch by said user to define a custom basketball pass sequence. A controller electronically connected with said user interface and said ejector receives the user selection from the user interface and programs the ejector to pass basketballs to individual ones of the shooting locations corresponding with the selected locations forming said custom basketball pass sequence.

A basketball shooting training includes a stand, a rotatable hoop module, a blocking module, and a guide module. The stand includes a horizontal segment and a vertical segment. The rotatable hoop module includes a frame and a backboard. The blocking module includes two columns, a collection member, an obstruction unit, and two fixed pulley sets. The guide module includes a conducting device mounted on the horizontal segment of the stand, and the supply portion extends outward from the stand. The mounting of the stand is fixed on a bottom of the conducting device, and the rotatable hoop module further includes a support post on which the backboard is disposed. A movable seat is connected on a bottom of the support post, the movable seat is disposed on and rotates along the mounting, and the conducting device has an arcuate track on which the support post slides.

A device and method for aiding in the practice of basketball and other games that require a ball to be returned to a player in order to perform repetitive practice routines. The device generally includes a ball catching component and a ball ejection component. The ball catching component catches balls thrown by the player and delivers them to the ball ejection component so that the ball ejection component has a continuous supply of balls. The invention includes a means for tracking a predetermined color worn by a player on the court and returning the ball toward the player's current position after a predetermined triggering event has occurred.

A basketball training assembly includes a cart that is rollable along a support surface. The cart can be positioned a selected distance from a basketball hoop on a basketball court. A lift is coupled to and extends upwardly from the cart. The lift is turned on to extend a predetermined distance upwardly from a home position on the cart. A barrier is coupled to the lift and the lift lifts the barrier the predetermined distance from the home position when the lift is turned on to simulates a defensive basketball player. A plurality of motion sensors is each coupled to the barrier to sense motion of a basketball player approaching the barrier. The lift is turned on when one or more of the motion sensors senses motion. Thus, the lift lifts the barrier when the basketball player approaches the barrier to take a shot during basketball practice.