A system (234, 220, 200) for monitoring movements of one or more users and/or one or more projectiles during sports activities performed by the one or more users is provided. The one or more projectiles (200) incorporate sensors (202, 204) for sensing movements of the one or more projectiles (200) during the sports activities. A user interface (220) is used for presenting automated sports training services. A data processing arrangement (234, 232, 220) is used for analysing one or more records of the movements of the one or more projectiles (200) against reference data, for providing the automated sports training services to the one or more users via the user interface (220).

A basketball scoring training apparatus for training an individual to launch a basketball along a desired pathway to move the basketball downwardly through a basketball hoop includes a base, a pair of front columns, and a pair of vertex indicators. The front columns extend upwardly from a front side of the base. The vertex indicators are mounted to the front columns near distal ends of the front columns and indicate a desired vertex position between the vertex indicators. Additional indicators are used in some embodiments.

A training device for thrown or pitched balls at a target is disclosed, especially useful for basketball training, in which a hyperbolic paraboloid surface deflects the approaching ball at a known angle in a manner in which the returned ball will strike a mat. The mat includes indicia which can be diagnostically useful in determining the proper correction to the throw or pitch.

A ground based launching assembly for feeding balls vertically upwards to a user. The user may takes strokes at fed balls, thereby delivering the balls towards a catching assembly. The catching assembly receives the balls and gently returns the ball back to the launching assembly. Disposed between the catching assembly and the launching assembly is a return ramp and a ball sequencer. These require no more than ten feet in length. Such a device may be readily used in a single car garage or other small room.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a computer-implemented athletic performance analysis method that includes obtaining, at a computer system, first motion data reflecting motion of a sporting device during one or more drills performed by an athlete. The method also includes creating and storing action data by identifying a plurality of portions of the motion data, where each of the portions correspond to one or more actions by the athlete; comparing the action data for the athlete, with the computer system, to corresponding aggregated action data for a plurality of other athletes to determine a relative skill level for the athlete with respect to the one or more actions; and generating data for a report that reflects the relative development level of the athlete.

A system for evaluating player performance comprises at least one sensor for capturing images of a player performing a basketball shot. At least one processor is configured to analyze the images to determine a position of the basketball and, based on the determined position, calculate a first value indicative of a shot performance of the player. The processor is further configured to identify a region from which the basketball was shot by the player for the basketball shot. The processor is further configured to calculate, based on whether the basketball shot is made, a second value indicating a shot performance of the player in taking a plurality of basketball shots from the identified region. An output mechanism is configured to display shot performance information associated with the player based on the first value and the second value.

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.

An exercise balance board may have at least a platform for a user supported by a resilient, air-filled partial sphere. It contains features which allow users of any size or fitness level to properly exercise muscle groups. The balance board allows a user to exercise upper and lower muscle extremity groups either individually or simultaneously.

A convertible game system configured to be used by a player at home who wishes to practice skills from multiple sports on an apparatus that does not require extensive space requirements. The game system has a frame, with a hopper section and a mounting section, a ball return, and a rotational component. The rotational component is mounted to the frame at the mounting section by a locking bearing system. For use, a player unlocks the locking bearing system, rotates the rotational component to display the desired game face, then re-locks the locking bearing system before beginning game play. The rotational component can have as few as 3 faces, and as many as 8 faces.

Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for a basketball shooting system. An apparatus includes a frame, at least one rail coupled to the frame, a sled movably connected to the at least one rail and configured to move along a first axis in a z-direction, a shaft connected to the sled in a perpendicular orientation relative to the at least one rail and configured to rotate at least 180 degrees about a rotational axis in a vertical plane defined by a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a backboard connected to the sled and configured move along the shaft in the vertical plane in a y-direction, and a basketball hoop connected to the backboard.