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

[0021]When the device according to the invention is in use, the waist belt is positioned around the waist of the user the first elastic member is removably engaged with, for example, a first wrist of a user and the second elastic member is removably engaged with, for example, a second wrist of the user. Advantageously, the means to restrain the waist belt maintains the waist belt in the correct position around the user's waist when the user's arm or arms are extended with the elastic member or members attached. The device can be used to train participants of several sports, for example, cricket, where the device can be used to promote the correct bowling action. Surprisingly, use of the device promotes not only bowling speed, but also accuracy of delivery, as specifically exemplified below. The training action of the device relies, in particular, on providing information to the muscles to promote a specific action or movement which may, for example, be associated with a particular sport. The strengths and / or lengths of the elastic members are chosen so that the information provided to the muscles is subsequently retained even after removal of the device. The device therefore serves as an aid for the development of muscle memory so that the user may perform a correct, optimum or enhanced movement. The inclusion of the means to restrain the belt ensures that the full benefit of the movement of the arm or arms against the resistance provided by the elastic member or members is gained, as the result of the waist belt being maintained in the correct position around the waist of the user.

[0042]In all of the uses and-methods according to the second to ninth aspects of the invention, the described benefits and advantages are retained by the sportsman using the device according to the first aspect of the invention, even when the particular sports movement of interest is carried out in the absence of the device. These uses of the device and these methods train the brain and body to co-ordinate, promoting muscle memory so as to permanently increase speed and / or improve accuracy of the movement. Furthermore, use of the device promotes the learning process in each case and can accelerate the improvement of speed and / or accuracy of the movement.

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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