Heads up sports training system

Abstract

The sports training system includes a first housing including a transmitter; a second housing including a receiver and a wireless communication module; a plurality of illuminating targets in communication with the wireless communication module; and a remote control in wireless communication with the transmitter, the receiver, and the plurality of illuminating targets. In operation, the transmitter projects a transmission and the receiver is positioned laterally away from the transmitter and receives the transmission. In response to an object passing between the transmitter and receiver, the receiver is blocked from receiving the transmission. In response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the transmission, a selected one of the targets illuminates. Input from the remote control controls operation of one of the transmitter, the receiver, or one of the plurality of illuminating targets.

Claims

1. A sports training system comprising: a first housing including a transmitter; a second housing including a receiver and a wireless communication module; a plurality of illuminating targets in communication with the wireless communication module; and a remote control in wireless communication with the transmitter, the receiver, and the plurality of illuminating targets; wherein, in operation: the transmitter projects a transmission; the receiver is positioned laterally away from the transmitter and receives the transmission; in response to an object passing between the transmitter and receiver, the receiver is blocked from receiving the transmission; in response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the transmission, a selected one of the illuminating targets illuminates; and input from the remote control controls operation of one of the transmitter, the receiver, or one of the plurality of illuminating targets; and wherein illumination of at least one illuminating target is triggered by the object passing between the transmitter and the receiver and by manual operation of the remote control in combination.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the input from the remote control activates or deactivates one of the transmitter, the receiver, and one or more of the illuminating targets.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the input from the remote control stops the transmitter from projecting the transmission.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the input from the remote control activates or deactivates one of the plurality of illuminating targets.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein, in operation, the selected one of the targets is illuminated immediately in response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the projected transmission.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the input from the remote control generates a delay in the illumination of the selected one of the targets in response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the projected transmission.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the delay has a length of between about 0 seconds and 9 seconds.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein further input from the remote control adjusts the length of the delay.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the projected transmission is an infrared beam.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the selection of one of the targets to illuminate is random or pseudo-random.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control is a mobile device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected illumination target has a duration of illumination between 1 second and 6 seconds.

13. A sports training system comprising: a first housing including a transmitter; a second housing including a receiver and a wireless communication module; a multi-color indicator in communication with the wireless communication module; a plurality of colored targets corresponding to the colors on the multi-color indicator; a remote control in wireless communication with the transmitter, the receiver, and the multi-color indicator; wherein, in operation: the transmitter projects a transmission; the receiver is positioned laterally away from the transmitter and receives the projected transmission; in response to an object passing between the transmitter and receiver, the receiver is blocked from receiving the projected transmission; in response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the projected transmission, a selected one of the colors on the multi-color indicator illuminates; and input from the remote control controls operation of one of the transmitter, the receiver, and the multi-color indicator; and wherein illumination of the multi-color indicator is triggered by the object passing between the transmitter and the receiver and by manual operation of the remote control in combination.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the input from the remote control activates or deactivates the transmitter and the receiver.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the input from the remote control stops the transmitter from projecting the transmission.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the input from the remote control activates or deactivates the multi-color indicator.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the input from the remote control generates a delay in the illumination of the multi-color indicator in response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the projected transmission.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the delay has a length of between about 0 seconds and 9 seconds.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein further input from the remote control adjusts the length of the delay.

20. A method of using a sports training system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sports training system including: a first housing including a transmitter; a second housing including a receiver and a wireless communication module; one of a plurality of illuminating targets or a multi-color indicator in communication with the wireless communication module and a plurality of colored targets corresponding to the colors on the multi-color indicator; and a remote control in wireless communication with the transmitter, the receiver, and the one of the plurality of illuminating targets or the multi-color indicator; projecting a transmission from the transmitter to the receiver; receiving the transmission in the receiver; in response to an object passing between the transmitter and receiver, illuminating one of a target of the plurality of illuminating targets or the multi-color indicator; and controlling operation of one of the transmitter, the receiver, and the one of the plurality of illuminating targets or the multi-color indicator through input received by the remote control; illuminating at least one illuminating target or the multi-color indicator in response to the object passing between the transmitter and the receiver and to manual operation of the remote control in combination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a sports training system.

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another example of a sports training system.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another example of a sports training system.

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another example of a sports training system.

(6) FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a transmitter.

(7) FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a receiver.

(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the transmitter and receiver shown in FIG. 5.

(9) FIGS. 7a-7b illustrate an application of a sports training system as a soccer training drill.

(10) FIG. 8a-8b illustrate an application of a sports training system as a football passing training drill.

(11) FIGS. 9a-9c illustrate an application of a sports training system as a football blocking training drill.

(12) FIG. 10 illustrates the communications of the sports training system of FIG. 1.

(13) FIGS. 11a-11c illustrate an application of a sports training system as a soccer training drill utilizing the remote control.

(14) FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate an application of a sports training system as a football passing training drill utilizing the remote control.

(15) FIGS. 13a-13c illustrate a further application of a sports training system as a soccer training drill utilizing the remote control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) The following detailed description provides examples of implementations of the sports training system. Although the examples provided below mainly focus on training drills related to soccer, it is understood that the systems provided herein may be applied to training in many sports, including, but not limited to, soccer, hockey, football, baseball, and basketball. In general, the teachings provide herein may be applicable to skills training for any athletic activity that involves objects, targets, and player reaction based on the observation of the environment.

(17) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first example of a sports training system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sports training system 10 includes a transmitter 12, a receiver 14, a multi-color indicator 16, four targets 18a-18d, a first player 20, a second player 22, and a ball 24.

(18) In the example shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter 12 projects an IPLED beam towards the receiver 14, which receives the IPLED beam. The communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14 is continuous, creating a space between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14 through which any passing object, such as the ball 24, will break the communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14. A break in the communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14 causes a wireless communication module 30 in the receiver 14 to send a signal to the multi-color indicator 16.

(19) A processor 32 is located in either the receiver 14 (see, FIG. 5b) or the multi-color indicator 16. When the processor 32 is located in the receiver 14, the processor 32 determines what signal to send to the multi-color indicator 16. When the processor 32 is located in the multi-color indicator 16, the processor 32 determines how to respond to the signal received. In either instance, the communication of the signal from the receiver 14 to the multi-color indicator 16 causes a scripted, random, or pseudo-random color to light on the multi-color indicator 16. The color corresponds to one of the four targets 18a-18d. In this example, each of the four targets 18a-18d has a fixed color association. For example, the first target 18a may be red, the second target 18b may be yellow, the third target 18c may be green, and the fourth target 18d may be blue.

(20) In use, the second player 22 passes the ball to the first player 20. As the ball 24 passes between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14, the communication between them is broken and the receiver 16 sends a signal to the multi-color indicator 16. In response, the multi-color indicator 16 lights up a random color. In this example, the multi-color indicator 16 lights up as yellow, which corresponds to the second target 18b. Accordingly, as the first player 20 receives the pass from the second player 22, the multi-color indicator 16 lights up yellow to indicate to the first player 20 to pass the ball 24 in the direction of the second target 18b. Neither the first player 20, nor the second player 22 knows in advance which target or colored light will be selected by the processor 32.

(21) FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second example of a sports training system 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sports training system 10 includes a transmitter 12, a receiver 14, four targets 18a-18d, a first player 20, a second player 22, and a ball 24.

(22) In the example shown in FIG. 2, the transmitter 12 projects an IPLED beam towards the receiver 14, which receives the IPLED beam. The communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14 is continuous, creating a space between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14 through which any passing object will break the communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14. A break in the communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14 causes a wireless communication module 30 in the receiver 14 to send a signal to one of the four targets 18a-18d. The selection of the target 18 is made by the processor 32 in the receiver 14. The selection may be scripted, or it may be random or pseudo-random. The target 18 receiving the signal lights up. Each target 18 may have one or more lights that can visually signal in one or more colors.

(23) In use, the second player 22 passes the ball to the first player 20. As the ball 24 passes between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14, the communication between them is broken and the receiver 16 sends a signal to a random one or the targets 18a-18d. In this example, the signal is sent to the third target 18c. Accordingly, as the first player 20 receives the pass from the second player 22, the third target 18c lights indicating that the first player 20 is to pass the ball 24 in the direction of the third target 18c.

(24) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a third example of a sports training system 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the sports training system 10 includes a transmitter 12, a receiver 14, a multi-color indicator 16, four targets 18a-18d, a first player 20, a second player 22, a ball 24, and a rebounding surface 34.

(25) This example is similar to the example shown in FIG. 1, only there is no second player 22, the first player instead passes the ball 24 to himself or herself by kicking it off of a rebounding surface 34, such as, for example, a wall or a rebounding device such as the one sold under the trademark SOCCERWAVE. Accordingly, when the first player 20 kicks the ball 24 off the rebounding surface 34, the ball 24 may break the communication between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 two times. In such cases, the wireless communication module 30 may communicate its signal in response to the first or second break in communication between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14.

(26) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth example of a sports training system 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the sports training system 10 includes a transmitter 12, a receiver 14, four targets 18a-18d, a first player 20, a ball 24, and a rebounding surface 34.

(27) This example is similar to the example shown in FIG. 2, only there is no second player 22, the first player instead passes the ball 24 to himself or herself by kicking it off of a rebounding surface 34. Again, the ball 24 may break the communication between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 two times. In such cases, the wireless communication module 30 may communicate its signal in response to the first or second break in communication between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14.

(28) FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a transmitter 12. The transmitter 12 includes a base 36, a cap 38 mounting upon the base 36, an adjustment mechanism 40 to level and finely position the cap 38 (e.g., a multipoint leveling adjuster), an inner rechargeable power supply 42, and a transmitter signal device 44 and a transmitter lens 46 integrated within the cap 38. A power switch 28 is shown above the transmitter lens 46.

(29) FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a receiver 14. The receiver 14 includes a base 36, a cap 38 mounting upon the base 36, an adjustment mechanism 40 to level and finely position the cap 38 (e.g., a multipoint leveling adjuster), an inner rechargeable power supply 42, and a receiver signal device 48 with a receiver lens 50 integrated within the cap 38. In addition, the receiver 14 includes the wireless communication module 30 and processor 32, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4. A power switch 28 is shown above the receiver lens 50.

(30) FIG. 6 illustrates the bottom of the transmitter 12 shown in FIG. 5a. As shown in FIG. 6, the base 36 may be used to hold the power supply 42 and the targets 18a-18d. In this example, the targets 18a-18d are lights.

(31) As shown in FIGS. 1-4, in use, the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 are placed on the ground with the transmitter lens 46 and receiver lens 52 directed towards one another. The adjustment mechanism 40 on each of the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 provides fine adjustment with which to finalize the transmitter lens 46 and receiver lens 52 alignment. A wireless signal beam, preferably an IRLED signal similar to that used in television remote signal transmission, has been found most reliable, but other FCC approved transmission signals are contemplated. The signal is sent and received by the respective transmitter 12 and receiver 14 with power supplied through the respective rechargeable power supplies 42. This signal is constant once activated. The ball 24, when passing through the wireless signal beam, interrupts the signal, which electronically triggers the receiver 14 to activate the wireless communication module 30 to send a signal transmission to the multi-color indicator 16 or one or more of the four targets 18.

(32) The targets 18 may be basic stationary targets 18 that have some color indicator corresponding to the colors of the multi-colored indicator 16. The targets 18 can be simple cones with a colored fabric drape, a stake with a colored plate, a net, or some other colorized device for the first player 20 to aim towards. In another example, the targets 18 may include a light that is illuminated when a signal is received from the wireless communication module 30.

(33) As noted above, the barrier or rebounding surface 34 associated with the single user embodiments may be something as simple as a wall, the side of a house, or a more sophisticated sports device. Some examples of these more challenging self-return devices include the soccer ball return training device sold under the trademark SOCCERWAVE, a pitch-back screen used for baseball or softball, an elastic panel associated with hockey puck return, etc.

(34) The signal transmitted by the transmitter 12 and received by the receiver 14 may be any wireless signal known in the art or arising in the future, including short range FM, RF, infrared signal, low frequency short wave signal, laser, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN or ZigBee. This is not an exhaustive list of wireless transmission signaling devices or technologies.

(35) FIGS. 7a-7b, 8a-8b, and 9a-9c each illustrate examples of the sports training system 10 in use. These examples are non-exhaustive, but help to illustrate to those skilled in the art various ways in which the sports training system 10 may be used.

(36) In the example shown in FIG. 7a, a first player 20 is positioned to receive a pass from a second player 22. The transmitter 12 and receiver 14 are positioned such that the pass from the second player 22 to the first player 20 will trigger one of the four targets 18a-18d.

(37) As shown in FIG. 7b, after the soccer ball 24 has passed through the transmitter 12 and receiver 14, the fourth target 18d illuminates and the player is directed to dribble or pass towards the fourth target 18d.

(38) In the example shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, there is a first player 20 and two second players 22. The transmitter 12 and receiver 14 are positioned such that as the first player 20 (e.g., the quarterback) drops back to pass, one of the two targets 18a-18b illuminates and the first player 20 is directed to pass the football to the second player 22 adjacent the illuminated target 18a.

(39) In the examples shown in FIG. 9a-9c, there is a first player 20 and a second player 22. The transmitter 12 and receiver 14 are positioned such that when the first player 20 comes out of his stance to hit the dummy held by the second player 22, one of the two targets 18a-18b illuminates and the first player 20 is directed to run towards the illuminated target 18b after shedding the block.

(40) In a further example, each color of the targets 18a-18d corresponds to a further drill such as running an agility ladder, jumping high knees above a series of cone, and jumping hurdles. A first player 20 passes the ball 24 to the second player 22, breaking the communication between the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 in the process and causing one of the four targets 18a-18d to be randomly illuminated. The second player 22 receiving the ball 24 calls out the color of the target 18a-18d illuminated and immediately runs to the corresponding further drill.

(41) Alternatively, or in addition to the elements described above, the system 10 may include a remote control 60 as shown in FIG. 10 to control operation of the transmitter 12, the receiver 14, the multi-color indicator 16, or the illuminating targets 18a-18d. The remote control 60 may be used by the second player 22 (e.g., a coach or training partner) to control which colored light on the multi-colored indicator 16 or light on the selected target 18 is illuminated, as opposed to an automated random selection created by the processor 32, and/or to control operation of the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14. Similarly, an application may be provided on a mobile device allowing the third-party (i.e., second player 22, coach, training partner, etc.) the features and functions of the remote control 60.

(42) As shown in FIG. 10, the remote control 60 communicates with the multi-colored indicator 16 and/or the selected targets 18a-18d using a conventional wireless communication protocol 70 such as infrared light, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other available suitable technology.

(43) The remote control 60 includes a trigger activation control 62 to activate and deactivate (i.e., enable and disable) the trigger system of the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14. When the trigger system of the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 is active/enabled, an object passing between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 pair to break the communication between the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 triggers system functions. When the trigger system of the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 is deactivated/disabled, an object passing between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 pair to break the communication between the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 does not trigger system functions. For example, deactivation of the trigger system may include stopping the transmitter 12 from projecting the transmission to be received by the receiver 14 or stopping the indicator 16 or the target 18a-18d from being illuminated in response to the receiver 14 being blocked from receiving the transmission from the transmitter 12.

(44) Target activation controls 64a-64d on the remote control 60 are used to activate and deactivate the targets 18a-18d individually. The number of target activation controls 64a-64d may correspond to the number of targets 18a-18d to provide one-to-one control of each target 18a-18d.

(45) Alternatively, or additionally, the remote control 60 may include a multicolor indicator control to activate or deactivate the indicator 16.

(46) Delay controls 68a, 68b is provided to add, increase, or decrease a delay between the trigger activation at the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 and the illumination of the target 18a-18d. For example, when the trigger system of the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 is active/enabled, an object passing between the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 pair to break the communication between the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 triggers designated system functions. Whether the system functions are triggered immediately or on a delay, and a length of the delay, can be controlled by the user through the delay controls 68a, 68b.

(47) In other embodiments, the remote control 60 can control additional features of the sports training system 10, such as, but not limited to, a color selection at a specific target 18a-18d.

(48) During use, a coach or other third party may begin a drill that utilizes the random selection of individual targets 18a-18d caused by the triggering at the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14. As the drill proceeds, the coach may determine that the player 20 needs more practice with paying attention to one of the four targets 18a-18d in particular. The coach may use one of the target activation controls 64a-64d to activate the corresponding target 18a-18d individually. Additionally, the coach may also use the trigger activation control 62 to deactivate the trigger system 12, 14 such that the coach may use the remote 30 to manually activate the targets 18a-18d using the target activation controls 36a-36d.

(49) In another example, using the delay controls 68, the coach may add a delay to the triggering of the system by the transmitter and receiver units 12, 14. By delaying the illumination of the target 18a-18d, the player 20, 22 receiving the pass must simultaneously protect the ball from other players while keeping their head up to watch for a target 18a-18d to be illuminated. The delay provides the players 20, 22 with additional practice in keeping their head up during the entire length of the delay while protecting the ball and allows the coach to observe the player's response.

(50) The delay control 68 may be used when the receiver and transmitter pair 12, 14 activated or deactivated. For example, when the receiver and transmitter pair 12, 14 is activated, the delay occurs between the triggering of the target 18a-18d and the illumination of the target 18a-18d. When the receiver and transmitter pair 12, 14 is deactivated, the delay occurs between the coach's selection of the target activation control 68a-68d and the illumination of the selected individual target 18a-18d.

(51) In one embodiment, the remote control 60 enables the coach or third party to adjust the delay using the delay controls 68a, 68b in half second increments between 0 and 9 seconds. For example, this adjustability gives the coach the option to select a shorter or longer delay based on the receiving player's level of experience. For example, a newer player may need a longer delay during the drill to make the pace of the drill more manageable.

(52) In other embodiments, the remote control 60 may include a control 66 that enables the coach or a third party user to adjust the length of time that the selected target 18 is illuminated. Each target 18 may have a default duration of illumination of, for example, 2 seconds. The illumination time may be shortened or lengthened through one or more controls 66. This adjustability gives the coach the option to select a shorter or longer duration of illumination based on the receiving player's level of experience. For example, a relatively new player may need a longer duration of illumination of 6 seconds while an experienced player may be challenged by a shorter duration of illumination of 1 second.

(53) In some embodiments, the targets 18a-18d of the sports training system 10 include motion sensors 72 configured to detect movement of a player near an illuminated target 18a-18d. For example, in one embodiment of a pathing drill, once the player is directed towards an illuminated target 18a-18d, the illuminated target 18a-18d detects the presence of the player in the vicinity and causes a second target 18a-18d to be illuminated. The player then moves in the direction of the second illuminated target 18a-18d. The sequence of the illumination of the targets 18a-18d trains the player to correctly path (i.e., move in a useful pattern) through the series of targets 18a-18d. Each motion sensor 72 may be integrated into the light portion of the target 18 as shown in FIGS. 13a-13c. In other embodiments, the motion sensor 72 may be attached to the base or other portion of the target 18.

(54) FIGS. 11a-13c illustrate examples of the sports training system 10 utilizing the remote control 60. As with FIGS. 7a-9c above, these examples are non-exhaustive and are provided to illustrate to those skilled in the art various ways in which the remote control 60 may be used with the sports training system 10.

(55) FIGS. 11a-11c illustrate the use of the remote control 60 to delay the illumination of a light 18a-18d upon triggering at the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14. In the example shown in FIG. 11a, a first player 20 is positioned to pass the ball to a second player 22. The transmitter 12 and receiver 14 are positioned such that the pass from the first player 20 to the second player 22 trips the communication between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 14, thereby triggering the illumination of one of the four targets 18a-18d. In this example, however, a coach or other person has set a delay of six second between the triggering of the system and the lighting up of a light 18a-18d using the delay control 68a, 68b of the remote control 60.

(56) After the ball is passed to the second player 22, the second player 22 advances the ball towards the two goals adjacent to the targets 18a, 18b and resists defense by the first player 20 during the delay in FIG. 11b. During the six-second delay, the second player 22 must protect the ball from the first player 20 while keeping his or her eyes up to see when one of the lights 18a, 18b has been illuminated. Once the six-second delay has ended, the target 18b is illuminated and the second player 22 immediately dribbles the ball towards the goal adjacent to the illuminated light 18b as shown in FIG. 11c.

(57) In another example, the trigger system of the transmitter and receiver units 12, 14 is deactivated and the coach illuminates one of the four lights 18a-18d directly using the target activation controls 64a-64d. In one drill, the first and second players 20, 22 are passing the ball within a close range. The players 20, 22 must watch for the illumination of a target 18a-18d. When one of the targets is illuminated, the player 20, 22 in possession of the ball becomes the forward and the player 20, 22 without the ball becomes the defender, as the player 20, 22 moves toward the illuminated target 18a-18d.

(58) In a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12a-12c, a delay has been added to the triggering of the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 using the delay controls 68a, 68b on the remote control 60. In this example, the transmitter 12 and receiver 14 are positioned such that as the first player 20 (e.g., the quarterback) drops back to pass, one of the two targets 18a, 18b is illuminated after the selected delay has transpired.

(59) In FIG. 12a, the first player 20 drops back to pass the football to one of the two players 22 standing adjacent to the targets 18a, 18b. Two other defensive players 23 are in starting positions in formation. After the player 20 drops back as shown in FIG. 12b, the defensive players 23 move toward the first player 20, causing him to move in order to protect the football. During the delay, the player 20 must keep his eyes up in order to watch for the illumination of a target 18a, 18b. Once the target 18a is illuminated as shown in FIG. 12c, the player 20 passes the ball to the receiving player 22 positioned near the illuminated target 18a, 18d.

(60) FIGS. 13a-13c illustrate the use of the remote control 60 to illuminate the targets 18a-18d directly and make use of the motion sensors 72 associated with the targets 18a-18d. In this example, the transmitter and receiver pair 12, 14 is deactivated. The coach observes the players playing one vs. one, two vs. one, or two vs. two, for example. Referring to FIG. 13a, the players are instructed to shield and dribble the ball 24 while keeping their heads up to monitor the targets 18a-18d until one of the targets 18a-18d is illuminated. When the coach illuminates target 18b through the remote control 60 as shown in FIG. 13b, the player in possession of the ball directs the ball to the goal adjacent the illuminated target 18b.

(61) When the player in possession of the ball reaches the illuminated target 18b as shown in FIG. 13c, the motion sensor 72 on the illuminated target 18b detects the presence of the player in the vicinity and communicates the detection to the processor 32 of the system 10. In response to receiving the data, the processor 32 of the sports training system 10 then illuminates the next target 18d. The player then moves toward the next illuminated target 18d, where the sensor 72 associated with the target 18d detects the presence of the player. The detection of the player at the target 18d is communicated to the processor 32, and the processor 32 illuminates the next target, and so on.

(62) In a more complex applications, the targets 18 may be smart targets 18 that track the activity by the users. For example, the targets 18 may include one or more sensors to track the user's accuracy in drills. In one example, each target 18 may include or be associated with a hoop, or similar goal, that identifies whether the ball 24 (or other object) has been passed through the goal in response to a corresponding visual indicator. Similarly, the target 18 may have proximity sensors to determine whether a user passes the target 18 in response to the visual indication. Such data observed and collected by the smart targets 18 may be communicated to the processor 32 and/or to the mobile application. The system may keep track of the player statistics and report to the mobile application, either directly through or via a cloud computing system, such that the users have a record of the player's performance over time. Any number of statistics may be tracked, including time of use, accuracy in the drills, etc.

(63) It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.