Football training aid and method

Abstract

A training aid is attached to the rear region of a user's helmet and alerts the player with an audible beep when the player's head drops into a downward unsafe or improper position. A printed circuit board containing a horn, battery and tilt switch is located within a protective housing attached by an adhesive to the rear region of the player's helmet. An external switch enables the player to manually turn the circuit ON or OFF.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 423,731, filed Dec. 16, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The invention relates to a training aid primarily for football players. More particularly, the invention relates to a signaling device mounted on or in the helmet of the player to signal the player with an audible sound that his head is in an improper contact position.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Extreme contact occurs constantly in football and is an integral part of the sport. Although the players are well protected by various protective clothing and gear which helps substantially to avoid serious injury, one area which is difficult to protect is the cervical area and in particular the spine. Many of these injuries occur during tackling and blocking caused by the player dropping his head just prior to contac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention provides an improved training device and method of use primarily by athletes and in particular by football players to train and condit

Problems solved by technology

Although the players are well protected by various protective clothing and gear which helps substantially to avoid serious injury, one area which is difficult to protect is the cervical area and in particular the spine.

If the player lowers his head beyond a safe distance, the force is exerted incorrectly on the player's neck, often resulting in serious injury to the spine, such as temporarily or occasionally full paralysis.

It is difficult to train a player to keep his head in an upright position, that is, in a “safe” position upon blocking and especially upon making a tackle on a moving player.

The natural reflex is to drop the head which results in the

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