A system for enabling dispersed athletic games comprises first and second sensors respectively configured to capture first images of a first player playing a dispersed sporting game on a first court or field and a second player playing the dispersed sporting game on a second court or field. The system also comprises a server configured to analyze the first images and the second images for respectively detecting a first gameplay event associated with the first player and a second gameplay event associated with the second player. The server is configured to determine a change in gameplay based on a comparison of information related to the detected first gameplay event and information related to the detected second gameplay event. The server is further configured to transmit a message for instructing the first player or the second player to play the dispersed game in accordance with the change in gameplay.

A practice aid system includes: a practice aid device; a hoop sensor system, including first and second pairs of an optical transmitter and receiver, which are mountable on a rim of a basketball hoop; an intelligent ball, including an inflatable ball body, a ball control unit, a ball light source, and a ball motion and location sensor; an intelligent shoe, including a shoe body, a shoe control unit, a shoe motion and location sensor, a vibrator, and a shoe light source.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a basketball backboard. The basketball backboard includes a display screen, a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor data regarding a shot attempt of a user, imaging devices configured to generate image data of the shot attempt, a speaker, and a control unit. The control unit can receive (i) the sensor data from the plurality of sensors and (ii) the image data from the imaging devices. Based on the received sensor data, the control unit can determine whether the shot attempt was successful. Based on the received image data and whether the shot attempt was successful, the control unit can generate analytics that indicate characteristics of the user and the shot attempt and recommendations for improving the shot attempt for subsequent shot attempts. The control unit can provide output data representing the analytics.

According to another embodiment, a method may include: receiving, at a centralized controller, a play data for players using a plurality of basketball hoop devices, the play data comprising shot data comprising ball flight trajectory data, shot angle data, shot distance data, and shot success data; calculating, by the centralized controller, a skill level for each of the plurality of players using the play data; applying, by the centralized controller, a skill leveling algorithm to the shot data to determine parameters for each basketball hoop device based on the skill level of each of the players, wherein the parameters comprise a hoop height, a hoop angle, and a hoop distance; and communicating, by the centralized controller, the parameters to local controllers at the respective basketball hoop device, wherein the local controllers control actuators at the respective basketball hoop devices to implement the parameters.

A basketball passing machine providing a multi-user mode and related systems and methods are provided. A controller receives programming information for a basketball practice drill including participant information for multiple users. Based on the programming information received, each pass in the basketball practice drill is associated with a respective one of the multiple users. A launching device passes basketballs to locations at a basketball playing area, and participant information is displayed at the front display for an associated one of the users for a respective one of the passes.

Systems, methods, and devices for providing mental training during a basketball practice session are provided. A controller receives indication of user selection of a decision mode for the basketball practice session. Before and/or while each basketball passed by a launching device of a basketball passing machine for the basketball practice session, and in accordance with a library of basketball shooting moves and associated codes for the basketball practice session, the controller causes display of one of the associated codes at an electronic display. In this way, the user must recall the move associated with the code.

A basketball training apparatus has a basketball hoop with a circular rim and a backboard adjacent to the hoop adjacent to a playing surface. A backboard frame assembly supports the backboard relative to the playing surface to be movable between a plurality of different working positions, in which each different working position corresponds to a different angular orientation of the backboard about the upright hoop axis. By effectively rotating the basketball net about the hoop axis, all the shooting positions of the half court can be simulated while the player remains in one position. This allows for the amount of space required to practice shooting at various points of a court to be done in a much more confined space.

A basketball return device includes a mounting frame fixed to the basketball hoop support frame of a basketball stand via a mounting plate. A main frame fixedly connected to the mounting frame, and a movable plate of the main frame is slidably arranged on a fixing plate, and the fixing plate is provided with an opening for basketballs descent. A net-supporting rod whose mounting end is hinged to the movable plate. A flexible net detachably attached to the net-supporting rod, with the free end of the net-supporting rod supporting the flexible net to form an adjustable funnel-shaped guide structure that directs made basketballs toward the opening of the fixing plate. A basketball return mechanism, which is mounted on the main frame and provides multi-angle control of the basketball return direction through a rotating unit and a locking unit.

Systems and methods for creating highlight reels are disclosed. A launching device launches basketballs to pass receipt locations spaced apart about a basketball playing area. An interface receives a user selection of the pass receipt locations forming a basketball shooting practice drill. A sensor determines if basketball shots are successfully made. A camera records images of attempted basketball shots. A controller receives data from said interface, sensor, and camera, commands the launching device, and generates a highlight reel including the images from the camera exclusively associated with one of: made shots, missed shots, and shooting attempts from a particular one of the pass receipt locations.

A ball return system is integrated with a playing surface upon which a player trains, and includes a ball storage mechanism, ball passing device, and a track structure. The storage mechanism has one or more ball transport mechanisms, ball sorting mechanisms, ball storage groups, and a ball release mechanism. The ball passing device is configured to accept expelled balls from the release mechanism, and to pivot via panning and tilting. The track structure has lateral and vertical motion mechanisms and is configured to raise and lower the lateral motion mechanism. The ball return system also includes optical sensors to capture visual data from player characteristics, location, and movements and a system controller that receives data from the optical sensors and is in two-way communication with a plurality of sub-controllers for passing, lateral motion, vertical motion, and ball release.