Interchangeable soccer training system

Abstract

The present invention is a soccer training system for holding and retrieving a soccer ball including a detachable tether mechanism that is capable of easily switching between being ground-mounted, hand-held, and belt-mounted, depending on what practice skills are desired. The invention is an incorporated kicking, shooting, dribbling and juggling soccer training device that simulates real soccer play.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 493,871 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Soccer Training and Practice”, filed 28 Jan. 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 162,976 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Soccer Training and Practice”, filed 29 Sep. 1998. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 664,253 entitled “Handheld Bungee Winder”, filed 22 Mar. 2005. The contents of each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to ball sports devices and more particularly to a soccer training device and accessories. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Soccer is a team sport and serious players practice long hours with a team. However, when an individual player wishes to practice on his or her own, difficulty arise...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The problems of anchoring a tether and holding a soccer ball are solved by the present invention of a soccer practice device having a stable anchoring means and a tethering means that resists tangling and allows the soccer ball to roll smoothly.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows a player to easily switch a soccer training device between being ground-mounted, hand-held, and mounted on the player's body in order to practice different skills.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to firmly and securely tether a soccer ball to an anchor such that the tether does not become entangled with the anchor during play.

[0013] The present invention provides a soccer training system for holding and retrieving a soccer ball including a detachable tether mechanism that is capable of easily switching between being ground-mounted, hand-held, and belt-mounted, depending on what practice skills are desired.

[0014] The present invention provides a ground anchoring means that includes a spiral tie down stake or a unitary structure comprised of multiple, spaced apart, legs extending from a common central point arranged, for example, in an “X” pattern, wherein each of the legs has at its distal end an eye for receiving an associated tent-type stake. A ring is disposed through a circular upper portion of the tie down stake or X-shaped (for example) ground unit such that the ring moves freely along the circular upper portion. A tether cord is connected at one end to the ring via a detachable link and, at the other end, to a net that holds a soccer ball. The detachable link includes a swivel-eyebolt connection that permits the net and soccer ball to spin 360° about the axis of the tether cord. The circular upper portion, ring, and swivel-eyebolt on the detachable link allow the soccer ball great freedom of movement, thus simulating real soccer play.

Problems solved by technology

However, when an individual player wishes to practice on his or her own, difficulty arises.

Kicking the ball a distance from the player creates a ball retrieval problem.

Anchoring by means of a simple tent stake in the ground might be suitable for young children, but does not work for stronger players.

This makes these soccer practice devices ineffective, and also potentially dangerous.

Further, the prior art devices lack freedom of movement of the ball's tether around the stake.

This lack of freedom of movement of the ball also inhibits the ball from rolling back to the player freely, smoothly and without the tangling of the tether cord.

The problems in the ball holding means are also significant.

All of these coverings on the ball cause an uneven, bumpy feel upon kicking the ball and impede the rolling of the ball when it returns to the player.

Star Kick™ purportedly can be used to dribble, however, as with the wrist strap approach, the cord length cannot be easily shortened, thus a player must deal with the awkwardness of at least a 10 foot length of cord at their feet.

Until now, an inexpensive, interchangeable system for combining multiple ways to train, namely a secure ground anchor for shots, a hand-held, adjustable length device for ball control skills and a waist-attached system for indoor use, has not been available.

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