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

A made-shot-detecting net system is configured to determine when a basketball passes through the net. The system uses a strand of conductive material that is laced through the net, an electrical property (e.g., resistance) of which changes (e.g., increases) as the netand hence the strand of conductive materialis stretched. By filtering out steady-state components of a voltage signal obtained from the net, instances where the net is being stretched can be identified. A value obtained by integrating (i.e., summing) the voltage output over the course of a stretch event is compared to various thresholds to identify the nature of the event. In certain embodiments, the fact that a shot has been made is transmitted wirelessly to a basketball-performance tracking application running on a mobile electronic computing device.

A basketball training system includes a server computer and a basketball training machine. The server computer executes a workout module that manages operation of a graphical user interface that presents a graphical representation of a portion of a basketball court and receives user inputs that define a workout program that includes selected ball delivery locations relative to the visual representation. The basketball training machine receives the workout program and delivers basketballs to the selected ball delivery locations.

Methods and apparatus relating to predicting outcome in a sporting environment are described. The methods and apparatus are used to relate trajectory performance of an object to body motions and body orientation associated with a generating the trajectory of the object. When equipment is utilized to generate the trajectory of an object, than the effects of equipment motions and equipment orientation can be also related to trajectory performance. The method and apparatus can be used to predict body motions and body orientations that increase the likelihood of achieving a desired outcome including specifying optimum motions and orientations for a particular individual. The method and apparatus may be used in training, coaching and broadcasting environments.

Basketball passing systems with virtual coaching capabilities are provided. An interface comprises selectable pass receipt locations arranged about a visual depiction of basketball court elements to visually correspond with locations at said basketball playing area a launching device is capable of passing basketballs to. A controller receives a user selection of the selectable pass receipt locations and commands the launching device to launch basketballs to the selected locations for the user to catch and shoot. A sensor determines if the shot is successfully made. A camera records images of the shot. The controller generates a virtual coaching display with images from the camera and a visual indication of whether displayed images resulted in a successfully made shot.

Provided is an apparatus, method, and system for simulating a defender of a sport activity.

A player monitoring system for compensating for network delays comprises a server that is configured to receive sensor data from multiple sensors at dispersed locations. In some embodiments, a server is configured to determine a delay associated with one network path carrying sensor data to the server and a delay associated with another network path carrying sensor data to the server. Based on the delays, the server is configured to synchronize events detected by the sensors at the dispersed location, thereby permitting more precise and accurate gameplay decisions for a dispersed sporting event.

A training device for teaching and practicing ball handling skills for basketball players or persons training for sports, the training device including stanchions positionable on a floor using attachment members, such as suction cups, or a flexible resilient layer. A crossbar extends between the stanchions. Flexible elements can be used to connect the stanchions to the suction cups. The lengths of the stanchions and crossbar can be adjustable to set the height of the crossbar above the floor and the separation of the crossbars. Detents can allow for adjustably fixing the lengths.

The method for timing a basketball match is defined by a timing system, which comprises a timing device linked to an optical ball detector and/or linked to at least one visual ball detector for detecting a ball in a basketball hoop. The optical ball detector comprises an optical sensor positioned near or on the basketball hoop, and the visual detector comprises at least one kinetic camera for detecting the motion and the depth of the ball in the basketball hoop with processing of the signal. The method comprises the steps of starting to count game time by activating the timing device, of capturing, using the optical sensor and/or the kinetic camera, the passage of the basketball ball into a rim of the basketball hoop, and of transmitting at least one signal detecting the passage of the ball into the basketball hoop to the timing device in order to stop game time.

A net assembly for an adjustable basketball goal. The net assembly may include a net, a support frame, and a mounting assembly configured to mount the support frame to a post of the adjustable basketball goal. The net may include a net frame having an upper portion including a plurality of net frame sleeves. The support frame may be configured to support the net, and may include at least one elongated member configured to extend through the plurality of net frame sleeves. The support frame may also include a plurality of support arms, each having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion may be configured to couple to the at least one elongated member, and the second end portion may have a support arm sleeve. The support frame may further include a cross brace configured to couple the plurality of support arms.