Basketball training cover

Abstract

A basketball handling training aid is disclosed, comprising a cover which fits over a basketball. The cover is comprised of a low-friction material which necessitates proper hand position on the basketball in order to maintain control of the ball while dribbling, and in order to achieve accuracy when passing or shooting. In one embodiment, the cover is constructed from a plurality of sections of the material and can be installed on, and removed from, an ordinary basketball as desired by the player. Various designs for fitting the cover securely on the basketball are disclosed. Alternately, the cover can be fabricated with a basketball permanently enclosed within, and the basketball / cover assembly provided as a set.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to a cover for a basketball and, more particularly, to a removable or a permanent cover for a basketball which serves as a training aid for handling the basketball, where the cover is constructed of a low-friction material which necessitates proper hand position on the basketball in order to maintain control of the ball while dribbling, passing or shooting.[0003]Discussion of the Related Art[0004]Handling a basketball—including dribbling, passing and shooting—is something that many people can do, but few people can do very well. One of the reasons most people who play basketball do not excel in the fine skills of the game is that they never learn the proper technique for handling the ball.[0005]Consider, for example, the act of dribbling a basketball. It is fairly easy to dribble a basketball on a flat floor without losing control of the ball. However, when dribbling an ordinary basketball,...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Handling a basketball—including dribbling, passing and shooting—is something that many people can do, but few people can do very well.

One of the reasons most people who play basketball do not excel in the fine skills of the game is that they never learn the proper technique for handling the ball.

However, when dribbling an ordinary basketball, which offers a relatively high amount of grip or tackiness to the player's hand, some improper techniques can be developed by the player.

One such undesirable technique is that the player can get away with receiving the ball in an off-center position in the hand at the top of the dribble, which is compensated for by imparting a side-spin on the ball on the down-flight.

Another undesirable technique which is promoted by an ordinary basketball is “palming” the ball, or turning the hand over on the ball at the top of the dribble.

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