Athletic training system

Abstract

An athletic training system and apparatuses which allows a user to practice several important skills needed to be successful in the game of lacrosse and of highest import affords user the ability to practice gaining possession of a ball at the beginning of the game and back after each score. The specifically designed structural elements of this device allow a player to practice endless repetitions of face-off and draw skills, while challenging the player to improve their form and quickness.

Claims

1. A lacrosse training apparatus comprising: an upright; a bracket for retaining the upright; a base plate apparatus in mechanical communication with a lower portion of the upright; a spring mechanism; a set of pipe damping clamps, wherein the set of pipe damping clamps is configured to attach a lacrosse stick to the base plate; and a pivot plate located on top of the base plate, wherein the pivot plate further comprises a shoulder bolt and vibration mounts.

2. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of semi-malleable metal, aluminum, alloys, polymers and composite materials.

3. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upright comprises a material selected from the group consisting of semi-malleable metal, aluminum, alloys, polymers and composite materials.

4. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring mechanism is rotatably mounted.

5. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring mechanism rotates a range of zero to three hundred and sixty degrees.

6. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring mechanism comprises a reset lever to reset the spring mechanism.

7. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a lacrosse head for simulating another player's stick.

8. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus comprises a pivot mechanism for rotation of the lacrosse stick to a desired angle for stimulating an opposing player's stick.

9. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is fully adjustable to 50 different positions depending on what height, weight, or angle of opponent.

10. A method of lacrosse training comprising the steps of: utilizing a resistance training mechanism consisting of; an upright; a bracket for retaining the upright; a base plate apparatus in mechanical communication with a lower portion of the upright; a spring mechanism; a set of pipe damping clamps, wherein the set of pipe damping clamps is configured to attach a lacrosse stick to the base plate; and a pivot plate located on top of the base plate, wherein the pivot plate further comprises a shoulder bolt and vibration mounts; and positioning a user opposite to resistance training mechanism; defining a practice evolution; selecting the corresponding height for the resistance training mechanism; and, selecting the corresponding spring tension for the resistance training mechanism.

11. The method of lacrosse training of claim 9 wherein the evolution is selected from the group consisting of face-offs, draws, and angled evolutions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages of the present apparatus will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: having thus described the system in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a standard practice stand mechanism of the instant invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a professional practice stand mechanism of the instant invention;

(4) FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a low density spring and head assembly or system of the instant invention;

(5) FIG. 3B illustrates an additional side view of a low density spring and head assembly or system of the instant invention;

(6) FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a high density spring and head assembly or system of the instant invention;

(7) FIG. 4B illustrates an additional side view of a high density spring and head assembly or system of the instant invention;

(8) FIG. 5A illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a goal style clamp simulator of this invention;

(9) FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of an additional embodiment of a goal style clamp simulator of this invention;

(10) FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the professional style base training apparatus of this invention;

(11) FIG. 7A illustrates a top plan view of the stick attachment mechanism of this invention;

(12) FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the stick attachment mechanism of this invention; and,

(13) FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a standard surface practice mechanism for lacrosse face-offs of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a standard stand mechanism 10 of this invention, comprising an upright 11, a bracket 13 for retaining the upright, a base plate apparatus 15 in mechanical communication with a lower portion of the set of uprights; and, a compression/expansion mechanism, such as a torsion bar, torsion rod or spring mechanism 12 and head 16 may further comprise an adjustment mechanism 14 for adjusting the position of the spring and head mechanism.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a standard stand mechanism 20 of this invention, comprising an upright 21, a bracket 23 for retaining the upright, a base plate apparatus 25 in mechanical communication with a lower portion of the set of uprights; and, a spring mechanism 22 and head 26 may further comprise an adjustment mechanism 24 for adjusting the position of the spring and head mechanism.

(16) FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a low density spring and head assembly or system and head assembly or system 30 of this invention. FIG. 3B illustrates an additional side view of a low density spring and head assembly or system 30 of this invention.

(17) FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a high density spring and head assembly or system 40 of this invention. FIG. 4B illustrates an additional side view of a high density spring and head assembly or system 40 of this invention.

(18) FIG. 5A illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a goal style clamp simulator 50 of this invention which illustrates an adjustable rotational moment around an upright member in order to provide three hundred and sixty degrees (360°) of rotation in the horizontal plane. In this manner, the user is afforded practice at almost infinite arrangement for strength and agility training.

(19) FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a goal style clamp simulator 50 of this invention which illustrates an adjustable rotational moment around a, upright member in order to provide one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) of rotation in the vertical plane. In this manner, the user is afforded practice at a wide range of heights for strength and agility training.

(20) Thus when coupling the vertical and horizontal both adjust with the adjustable spring strength feature, a player can develop a system of training at numerous intervals in to build different skills and muscle groups. Moreover, FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the professional style base training apparatus 60 of this invention.

(21) FIG. 7A illustrates a top plan view of the stick attachment mechanism used for standard surface practice. A standard issue lacrosse stick 76 is attached by a pipe dampening clamp 72 permitting stick placement. There is also an optional set screw 70 in order to lock the lacrosse stick into a desired position. There is a slotted adjustment mechanism 74 used for a spring anchor that is adjusted based on skill set.

(22) FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the stick attachment mechanism used for standard surface practice. The rotation mechanism 71 allows for the lacrosse stick to be rotated to desired angles. In this manner, the user is afforded practice at a wide range of angles for strength and agility training.

(23) FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a standard surface practice mechanism for lacrosse face-offs. A standard issue lacrosse stick 76 is attached to a base plate 96 by pipe damping clamps 88. The lacrosse stick position length and rotation is adjustable 86. On top of the base plate 96 is a pivot plate 94 which has the shoulder bolt 92 for pivoting, vibration mounts 90, a PVC clear pipe over an extension spring 81 which connects to a formed eye 83 for a spring mount, an eyebolt 80, a slotted T-nut 82, and wing nut 84 which allows for the lacrosse stick to rotate to a desired angle for practice. The base plate 96 is attached to a purchased cleat cleaning base 87 by a stop block 85.

(24) Thus, the instant device simulates an opponent so that a player can repeatedly practice, on their own, the technical aspects of facing-off and draw control. In men's lacrosse, face-offs occur on the ground. In women's lacrosse, a “draw” occurs while players are standing up.

(25) Investigating some further elements, in the men's device, two (2) separate designs exist. The first is initiated when the player touches the device stick 76. This action will set the spring 81 off and start the rotation of the clamp 88. The second men's device is sound activated and will initiate the rotation of the clamp on demand.

(26) Turning to the women's device, three (3) models exist to date as follows: a Premium model, which is adjustable to over 50 positions; a Back Yard Model, which is a lighter model with 3 adjustments; and, a Goal Model, which utilizes same technology but clamps on existing an existing goal.

(27) And the structural elements of some embodiments of the instant device are as follows: a.) Steel/Aluminum Plate for bottom of device available in various weights b.) Brackets for Steel/Aluminum uprights c.) Steel/Aluminum uprights d.) Spring that rotates 360 degrees e.) The boy's device has a lever to reset the spring f.) The boy's device has spring by lacrosse head for simulating other players stick g.) The boy's device has an adjustable spring that can be changed depending on skill level for training and rotates lacrosse head 90 degrees to simulate clamp, this device can be used for youth player up to college level h.) Women's Device is fully adjustable to 50 different positions depending on what height, weight, or angle your opponent may be. Also allows for taller or shorter players to have similar angles to practice on.

(28) Investigating the usage parameters for the different embodiments: a.) Women's Device: The player uses her lacrosse stick to push on the device stick in order to start the motion. The device's spring then simulates the action of an opponent pushing back 360 degrees. The springs help the player practice pushing or pulling the ball to any direction straight in the air or to any side. b.) Men's Device: The player uses his stick to release the spring which in turn simulates the opponent's movement (what's called “clamping” during a face-off). There is also a model that is sound activated and the training tool is initiated from a coach or player. There is a pressure spring that can be tightened or loosened depending on strength and skill level of the athlete.