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 method for motion data processing includes: sensing a plurality of motion data of football player by a magnetic football and magnetic sensors; according to the motion data, analyzing the player's motion trajectory by a processing chip, and identifying whether the player's kicking motion is sliding tackle, smashing or dribbling.

An exercise apparatus has several selectably activatable target objects arranged to register hits by a movable playing object. The target objects are arranged on a wall and are connected to a control unit. The control unit is arranged to activate the selected target object and an indicator which is arranged to identify the activated target object and is connected to and arranged at the target object, for a period determined by the control unit. The indicator is arranged above the target object. A method of training the playing skills of a team player is provided by using the exercise apparatus.

An exercise training system is provided having a system controller and a plurality of stimulant target units connected via a wireless network to the system controller. Each stimulant target unit has a light source providing light to stimulate a user, a proximity sensor providing an output of a distance between the proximity sensor and an object external to the unit, and means for providing feedback to the user to signal that the unit has been actuated by the user. The system controller includes a program for activating the stimulant target units in a sequence. The reaction by the user to the illumination is registered when the user brings a body part or other object to within a selected distance of the proximity sensor, this distance being programmable by the user.

A virtual target system, for training multiple sports, and in an example, tennis, can include a projector system that can display a virtual target on a surface, like a tennis court. A sensor system can detect activity near the virtual target, for example, the movement or impact of a tennis ball. A processor can be linked to the projector system and the sensor system to collect activity data based on the virtual target and the activity. In one example, the display of the virtual target may or may not change in reaction to the collected activity data.

A ball for sports play such as a soccer ball comprises three layers: a standard outer cover layer and a standard inner or bladder layer along with an intermediate layer of panels. These panels have three portions: a portion and extending into recesses formed by stitching together of the outer panels; a middle portion extending on the inside over the stitching; and a third portion which is disposed between the bladder and the middle portion having a size position and extent sufficient to produce elevations in the central areas of exterior panels in the outer cover layer.

A system for coordinating radar data and image data to track a flight of a projectile includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager provides an image of an area into which a projectile is to be launched. The controller receives the image and an identification of a target within the image and identifies a target line connecting the target and a launch position of the projectile. The controller also receives data from the radar relative to at least a portion of a trajectory of the projectile, generates image based trajectory data by correlating the radar data and the image, and alters the image to include the image based trajectory data within the image and the target line within the image.

A sport ball comprising having a plurality of panels, each of the panels having an uncompressed center thickness and a compressed outer edge surrounding the uncompressed center thickness, the panels being stitched together along the respective compressed outer edges to form a shape, an inner bladder within said shape. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein said compressed outer edge is compressed by a factor of between one-quarter and three-quarters of said uncompressed center thickness. The compressed outer edge may be compressed approximately one-half of the uncompressed center thickness. The compressed outer edge may be compressed a width approximately equal to the uncompressed center thickness. Methods of forming the sport ball are also disclosed.

A system for illustrating the flight of a sports ball includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager is configured to image a moving sports ball. The controller is configured to (i) receive, from the imager, an image including the moving sports ball, (ii) receive, from the radar, radar data associated with the moving sports ball, (iii) determine, from the radar data, a portion of a trajectory of the moving sports ball, (iv) alter the image to illustrate the portion of the trajectory relative to the moving sports ball, and (v) output the altered image.

A system for coordinating radar data and image data to track a flight of a projectile includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager provides an image of an area into which a projectile is to be launched. The controller receives the image and an identification of a target within the image and identifies a target line connecting the target and a launch position of the projectile. The controller also receives data from the radar relative to at least a portion of a trajectory of the projectile, generates image based trajectory data by correlating the radar data and the image, and alters the image to include the image based trajectory data within the image and the target line within the image.