Soccer training method

Abstract

A method for improving the skills of a sports player includes arranging targets around a player location, associating at least one visual display with each target, generating a first detectable signal and simultaneously illuminating all but one of the visual displays with a common color or pattern of lights. The visual display that is not illuminated with the common color or pattern is uniquely illuminated so that the player may identify it. A ball is delivered to the central location from a ball-feeding location for the player to handle and deliver to one of the targets. A passing box is secured to each of the targets and a sensor is secured to each passing box. The sensor generates a signal upon detection of a ball entering into the passing box and the time of detection is recorded.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This nonprovisional application is a divisional of and claims priority to nonprovisional application Ser. No. 14 / 245,625, entitled “SOCCER TRAINING APPARATUS AND METHOD,” filed Apr. 4, 2014 by the same inventor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates, generally, to the game of soccer. More particularly, it relates to a device and a method of use that helps soccer players, as well as players of other team sports that involve a single moving object, e.g., a ball or puck, improve their situational awareness and technical skills.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Situational awareness is critical for every player on a field of play, whether the game is soccer, lacrosse, hockey, or the like. Players are constantly being taught to “look up” and to “know what to do with the ball / puck / etc. before you receive it.” These coaching mantras are intended to teach players to observe their surroundin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This method enhances players' situational awareness and decision-making speed by training them to initiate the OODA loop before ball reception, providing a more realistic and affordable training solution that can be adapted for various skill levels and environments, improving their ability to identify targets and execute passes effectively.

Problems solved by technology

The development of situational or field awareness is the most difficult part of the game for any player to learn as it is a player's natural tendency to focus on the ball.

In the context of the game of soccer, for example, the physical action of passing a ball takes very little time; it is the process of Observing, Orienting, and then Deciding where to pass the ball to that is time consuming.

The Footbonaut device thus teaches players to improve their reaction to the ball but does not address all four (4) parameters of the OODA loop.

The permanent enclosed location is neither portable nor easily adaptable or configurable.

Furthermore, balls are intentionally fed to the player at very high speeds or at difficult trajectories and spins, or both, to challenge the player's technical ball control skills.

The Footbonaut device does not teach a player the most critical and time consuming steps of the OODA loop, namely the Observation, Orientation, and Decision components.

The Footbonaut fails at these critical tasks for a variety of reasons.

First, the Footbonaut does not provide the player with any time to Observe the entirety of his / her surroundings before the ball is fed to the player.

Moreover, since the player can neither Observe nor Orientate himself / herself, the player is unable to reach the best Decision.

Finally, the Footbonaut's multi-directional ball feeding structure is unrealistic to the game of soccer or any game in which only a single ball is employed.

The location of the ball during a soccer match is always known to the players, in fact it is this knowledge that leads players to focus only on the location of the ball thereby falling victim to the overwhelming tendency to limit their field of vision to the area in front of them.

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