A tennis practice apparatus that includes a main support member that is for mounting from an upright wall; an outer support member that is hinged with the main support member and includes a closed position wherein the outer support member is engaged against the main support member, and an open position wherein the outer support member is hinged to an open position that is substantially orthogonal to the main support member; and a pliable fabric sheet that extends between a top end of the main support member and the outer support member. The pliable fabric sheet defines a surface against which a user can hit tennis balls and retrieve tennis balls therefrom.

A tennis practice apparatus that includes a main support member that is for mounting from an upright wall; an outer support member that is hinged with the main support member and includes a closed position wherein the outer support member is engaged against the main support member, and an open position wherein the outer support member is hinged to an open position that is substantially orthogonal to the main support member; and a pliable fabric sheet that extends between a top end of the main support member and the outer support member. The pliable fabric sheet defines a surface against which a user can hit tennis balls and retrieve tennis balls therefrom.

A teaching tool for use by an instructor teaching proper footwork and effective swing techniques to students of the game of tennis as well as to students of other racket-based sports. The teaching tool provides an elongated member and a mounting member extending perpendicularly from the distal end of the elongated member. A target object is connected to the distal end of the mounting member. The target object and distal end of the elongated member may be separated by a target distance defined, in part, by the size of racket the student is using. In use, the instructor can directly and selectively control the movement of the target object to simulate imparted spin and motion of the target object before and after the student strikes the target object.

A teaching tool for use by an instructor teaching proper footwork and effective swing techniques to students of the game of tennis as well as to students of other racket-based sports. The teaching tool provides an elongated member and a mounting member extending perpendicularly from the distal end of the elongated member. A target object is connected to the distal end of the mounting member. The target object and distal end of the elongated member may be separated by a target distance defined, in part, by the size of racket the student is using. In use, the instructor can directly and selectively control the movement of the target object to simulate imparted spin and motion of the target object before and after the student strikes the target object.

A method is provided for preventing back injuries related to sport motions or swings that includes setting an attachment height of a distal end of an elastic of a warmup and training device, the attachment height set to define an angle α backwards from vertical above center of a practice motion specific to a sport to be practiced, attaching a handle to a proximal end of the elastic where a type of the handle corresponds to the sporting activity to be performed, performing the practice motion while holding the handle and stretching the elastic, and returning to the beginning of the practice motion to repeat the activity.

A method is provided for preventing back injuries related to sport motions or swings that includes setting an attachment height of a distal end of an elastic of a warmup and training device, the attachment height set to define an angle α backwards from vertical above center of a practice motion specific to a sport to be practiced, attaching a handle to a proximal end of the elastic where a type of the handle corresponds to the sporting activity to be performed, performing the practice motion while holding the handle and stretching the elastic, and returning to the beginning of the practice motion to repeat the activity.

A device configured to encourage a tennis player to hit a tennis ball higher over a tennis net includes a pair of telescoping rods. Each pair of telescoping rods can include an inner segment and an outer segment. The outer segment can surround at least a portion of the inner segment. The outer segment can be movable with respect to the lower rod to at least one raised position and at least one lowered position. The lower rod of each telescoping rod can be attached to a vertical support post at opposing ends of a tennis net or directly to the tennis net. At least one fastener can be attached to the outer segment of each pair of telescoping rods. A string can attach the at least one fastener of each telescoping rod. The string can extend above and generally parallel to a top surface of the tennis net.

A device configured to encourage a tennis player to hit a tennis ball higher over a tennis net includes a pair of telescoping rods. Each pair of telescoping rods can include an inner segment and an outer segment. The outer segment can surround at least a portion of the inner segment. The outer segment can be movable with respect to the lower rod to at least one raised position and at least one lowered position. The lower rod of each telescoping rod can be attached to a vertical support post at opposing ends of a tennis net or directly to the tennis net. At least one fastener can be attached to the outer segment of each pair of telescoping rods. A string can attach the at least one fastener of each telescoping rod. The string can extend above and generally parallel to a top surface of the tennis net.

A tennis trainer apparatus has a base, a center tube, and an upper structure. The base of the tennis trainer apparatus has a plurality of evenly distributed legs which may have wheels attached for ease of positioning the apparatus in various positions on a tennis court. The center tube is easily adjustable by placing a pin in holes at varying heights. The upper structure has a left arm and a right arm, and each arm has a holding rod attached. A ball with a ball loop is removably attached to the holding rods so that when the ball is struck it can easily travel like a regular tennis ball. The ball loop is attached to the ball through use of a small rod which is inserted into the tennis ball. Ball extenders with at least one and preferably two holding rods attached are used to raise and lower the height of the ball and ball loop, to create any shot in tennis, including a serve. A tennis trainer apparatus can be easily adapted to additional sports.

A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.