Sports skills training device

Abstract

There is provided a sports skills training device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, in which a first end of the first elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the first elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a first limb of the wearer of the device; a first end of the second elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the second elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a second limb of the wearer of the device; and, the waist belt further includes means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic members. There are further provided uses of the device and methods comprising use of the device.

Description

[0001]This invention relates to a sports skills training device for use in sports requiring rapid and / or technical and / or powerful arm and / or leg movements and, in particular, relates to improving the speed and / or accuracy of a cricket bowler.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the game of cricket, bowling is the means by which the ball is delivered towards the batsman, with the aim of the bowler being to knock the stumps from the batsman's wicket. The batsman attempts to prevent this by connecting his bat with the ball. Bowling success can be gained by use of speed, spin, swing, or a combination of all three. The skill required to be a successful bowler can take many hours of practice to learn and .many years of training to perfect.[0003]Having a fast bowler who can bowl a cricket ball at pace is an essential requirement of any cricket team; only a small percentage of people find it easy or natural, most people having to work very hard at perfecting or at least attaining a good pac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0036]According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention to increase club swing speed and / or driving accuracy of a golfer. When the device is used in this way, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a first arm or a leg of the golfer and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a second arm of the golfer. Preferably, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a front leg of the golfer (i.e., the leg positioned in the direction in which the ball is to travel) and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a leading arm of the golfer (i.e., the arm positioned in the-direction in which the ball is to travel).

[0037]According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing club swing speed and / or driving accuracy of a golfer, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to the first aspect of the invention around a user's waist, removably engaging a first elastic member with a first arm or a leg of the user and removably engaging a second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the golf club swing action. Preferably, the first elastic member is engaged with a leg of the user and the method further comprises removably engaging a second elastic member with an arm of the user.

[0038]Advantageously, the use according to the sixth aspect of the invention and the method according to the seventh aspect of the invention serves to strengthen the leading arm of the golfer and to train it to move through the correct arc. A further advantage associated with the device is an improved line of travel of the ball and, in particular, a reduction in the chance that the golfer will hook or slice a shot. In addition, the distance over which the ball travels is increased.

[0039]According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention to increase arm return speed in boxing. When the device is used in this way, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a first arm of the boxer and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a second arm of the boxer.

[0040]According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing arm return speed of a boxer, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to the first aspect of the invention around a user's waist and removably engaging a first elastic member with an arm of the user and removably engaging a second elastic member with another arm of the user, the user then performing an arm extension action.

[0041]Advantageously, the use according to the eighth aspect of the invention and the method according to the ninth aspect of the invention promotes increased speed of movement of the boxer's arm back towards the body after it has been extended in a punch. This improves the boxer's defences and, in addition, by increasing the return speed of the arm, allows the boxer to extend the arms from the body more times in any given period, increasing the frequency of hits on the target and, therefore, increasing the number of points which may be scored.

Problems solved by technology

The skill required to be a successful bowler can take many hours of practice to learn and .many years of training to perfect.

When learning the bowling technique, some individuals have considerable difficulty in reaching an appropriate level of speed and accuracy.

Thus, there is a risk the bracing strap may slip over the user's buttocks when the user moves his arm so as to extend the resilient connector, particularly if the user bends at the waist whilst performing a vigorous hitting or throwing action.

There is no disclosure in the prior art of as device suitable for the training of a sportsman's muscles to improve, for example, cricket bowling speed and accuracy.

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