A training device for training a player to shoot a basketball. The device includes a plate member configured to engage at least a portion of a hand and wrist of a non-shooting hand of the player, at least one attachment member connected to the plate member and configured to secure the plate member to the non-shooting hand of the player, and a link strap connected at a first end to the plate member and having an aperture through which a wrist of a shooting hand of the player can be aligned. The non-shooting hand and the shooting hand are linked together such that the non-shooting hand is restricted from rotation relative to the shooting hand when the non-shooting hand and the shooting hand are placed in spaced relation on an associated basketball.

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.

Embodiments of an apparatus and system for obtaining metrics associated with a user's athleticism are disclosed. In an embodiment, the user performs a workout using the apparatus, and the workout is scored based on a scoring system. In an embodiment, the scoring system may be objective, thereby facilitating score standardization, and individual users for which scores have been recorded may be ranked by the system. In an embodiment, individual users may associate their system profiles with one or more positions for one or more sports. The rankings may be filtered by position and sport to facilitate identification of one or more users of interest, such as for a college recruiting purposes or professional sports team drafts.

A basketball-training defender-reach simulator apparatus and method providing a pair of simulated arms and hands constantly upraized in a defensive position, to be worn by a trainer during on-court training in order to condition basketball players to anticipate and counteract the movements of defending guarders, having life-like characteristics of look, feel, posture or positioning, and movement, solving problems of providing training against defending guarders when the trainer is required to use the real arms and hands for other tasks, when the trainer is unable to keep arms raised for extended periods, or when the stature of the trainer prevents reaching a realistic height.

This is a basketball training device for a user's guide hand comprising upper arm, pivot, forearm, thumb, and finger components. The pivot component is pivotably connected to the upper arm component and rigidly coupled to the forearm component, and the forearm component is rigidly coupled to both the thumb component and the finger component. The upper arm, forearm, thumb, and finger components are each secured to the user's upper arm, forearm, thumb, and at least one finger, respectively. As such, the basketball training device not only restricts flexion and opposition of the thumb but it restricts pronation of the user's forearm. In addition, the basketball training device restricts flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation of the user's wrist while allowing the user appropriate extension at the elbow joint during the entire shooting motion.

An inflatable sports training ball made as an inflatable exterior surface formed of an air tight flexible outer casing which, when inflated, defines an exterior surface; an interior air pocket surrounded by an interior liner defining a bladder, the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight rubber; an inflation and fill valve; and a variable amount of solution filling a portion of the bladder, the solution being substantially heavier than air and occupying an amount of said interior volume wherein a pre-determined amount of the solution is forced into the interior air chamber of the sports ball with a pump and the resulting partially solution filled sports ball provides a variable inertia system used in training sports enthusiasts a better ball control technique and other drills.

A dribble master apparatus including a training assembly including a belt having a right-hand fixed loop, and a left-hand fixed loop. An optional right-hand tether and left-hand tether may further be included. The right-hand tether and the right-hand fixed loop are configured at opposing ends of the belt to the left-hand tether and the left-hand fixed loop. The belt is configured to be secured around a waist of a user-wearer. The right-hand tether, the left-hand tether, the right-hand fixed loop, and the left-hand fixed loop are configured to be used in a selective combination to restrain a user's hands for basketball and resistance dribble training.

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 basketball training method and apparatus that measures and perfects a player's shooting motion, providing feedback to the user. The apparatus will quickly give feedback to athletes in the shooting motion. It will improve their shot form and also train them to shoot the basketball the same way overtime in order to develop proper muscle memory, thereby creating a more accurate basketball shot. The instant feedback removes uncertainty for the player as to whether or not they are shooting the correct way.

This is an adjustable basketball training device for a user's guide hand comprising upper arm, pivot, forearm, thumb, and finger components. The pivot component is pivotably connected to the upper arm component and rigidly coupled to the forearm component. The forearm component is rigidly coupled to both the thumb component using separate telescopic complexes, which allows the user to adjust the device for proper fit. The upper arm, forearm, thumb, and finger components are each secured to the user's upper arm, forearm, thumb, and at least one finger, respectively. As such, the basketball training device not only restricts flexion and opposition of the thumb but it restricts pronation of the user's forearm. In addition, the basketball training device restricts flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation of the user's wrist while allowing the user appropriate extension at the elbow joint during the entire shooting motion.