Lacrosse ball and stick practice apparatus and method of making same

Abstract

An apparatus and method of making same is disclosed including a portable lightweight lacrosse practice device having a lacrosse ball connected to a lacrosse stick with a return cord in such way that during return of the ball to a player conducting skill building drills the player experiences true ball roll and bounce consistent with game play without the device slipping off of the lacrosse stick and without the ball becoming entangled in the elastic cord.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Present Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to a lightweight portable lacrosse stick and ball return apparatus, and a method of making the apparatus. In particular the invention relates to a lightweight portable device for allowing a single lacrosse player to practice skill building drills using a lacrosse ball attached to a lacrosse stick in a novel and unique manner so the player may conduct drills by throwing the ball away from him or her and the ball will return in a manner consistent with game like conditions without entangling the return cord, the stick or the player, all while the player is able to move throughout the field of play without restriction.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]There have been many prior practice devices for various sports including football, soccer, baseball and lacrosse. Many of these devices include some manner of attaching the ball to a fixed object with a cord that will...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention includes an apparatus and method of making same is disclosed including a lacrosse practice device with a lacrosse ball connected to a lacrosse stick with an elastic cord in such way that a player conducting skill drills with the device experiences realistic ball roll and bounce upon return without the device slipping off of the lacrosse stick and without the ball becoming entangled in the elastic cord. The invention is advantageously small and light such that a player may disengage the device from the lacrosse stick and secure it in a small bag or pocket for safe keeping. Additionally, the small profiled of the device is advantageous over stationary prior art devices such as cages and return nets as there is no assembly required.

Problems solved by technology

However none of the prior art devices have sufficiently allowed a user to conduct moving lacrosse skill drills and exercises due to the particular type of equipment and game style inherent of lacrosse.

However, these have always held the ball insufficiently and have been relatively difficult to fabricate.

Moreover, such prior art devices have not been concerned with the roll and bounce of the ball on the return because the primary action of the game is on the ball as it leaves the possession of the player.

As such the prior art has many deficiencies.

Unfortunately, Banker's device does not account for the distance between the end of the lacrosse stick and the player, as the ball must be returned to the end of the lacrosse stick.

Moreover, Banker's device, as well as all other stationary prior art devices, fail to take into account the fact that a lacrosse player in game-like conditions is constantly moving within the game and relative to the ball.

These prior art devices likewise do not account for a player's motion inherent during practice and skill building sessions with a lacrosse stick and lacrosse ball.

As a result, prior art large, bulky and stationary practice devices cannot be used in lacrosse skill building drills as such drills require the player to move in the field of play and relative to the ball.

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