Method and apparatus for teaching how to execute a predetermined motion

Abstract

A practicing method includes a full-length mirror provided with a series of images of an individual executing a predetermined motion such as a golf swing, with the individual seeking to practice the execution of his or her motion, looking at himself or herself in the mirror, and mimicking the positions of the correct motion as displayed on the mirror while viewing himself or herself as an overlay over the positions portrayed on the mirror. The individual then can correct his or her motion by matching his or her reflected image with the positions portrayed by indicia at the mirror. In one embodiment, the mirror is provided with an LCD layer that is driven with animation reflecting the correct motion to be achieved, such that the images portrayed by the mirror can be made to change in a sequential fashion, in accordance with the correct motion to be achieved. The images may also be provided one at a time so that the individual can match his or her position such as, in the golf embodiment, stance, back swing and follow-through by comparing his or her reflected image with the image on the mirror. In an alternative embodiment, clear plastic overlays are imprinted with an image of an individual executing a correct motion, such that the individual seeking to correct his or her movement can compare what he or she sees as his or her reflection in the mirror with that portrayed by the overlay.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a methods of teaching a skill such as golf, and more particularly, to a system by which a student can visually compare his or her motion as viewed in a full-length mirror, with a portrayal of the correct motion on the mirror. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The teaching of golf in general has in the past required the hands-on approach of utilizing a golf pro and having the golf pro teach the student through a trial and error method, in which the golf pro observes the student and corrects the student's head position, stance or swing, based on what the golf pro observes. [0003] This type of teaching is heavily dependent upon what the particular golf pro considers to be the perfect swing and is time consuming and expensive because it requires the individual to go to, for instance, a golf driving range and meet with the golf pro. [0004] In order to improve golfers' swings, various self-help books are available and indeed, a large am...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The images portrayed by the sheet in front of the mirror may be viewed as a motion picture, indicating the correct swing to the individual seeking to mimic it, or the images may be stop action images such that the student can match his body position and, in golf, club head position to the stop action image, thus giving the individual more time to be able to match his or her motion with that depicted on the mirror.

Problems solved by technology

This type of teaching is heavily dependent upon what the particular golf pro considers to be the perfect swing and is time consuming and expensive because it requires the individual to go to, for instance, a golf driving range and meet with the golf pro.

These methods of teaching a golf swing, while controlled to the extent that the particular book or system has decided what is the perfect golf swing, nevertheless suffers from the inability of the student to be able to ascertain what he or she is doing wrong.

The result is that only with extreme difficulty can one teach a student the perfect golf swing, either because each individual golf pro has his or her idea of what is perfect, or because there is a lack of immediate feedback to the individual when the individual practices his or her golf swing.

Images