Soccer tee for use in training

Abstract

A soccer kicking tee is disclosed which is especially useful by soccer players to use as a training aid to learn a kicking technique known as kicking with the laces. The tee provides a support for a soccer ball at a prescribed height above the ground plane. A vertical support element interfaces with the bottom of the ball and prevents the ball from rolling or tipping over. This vertical element is supported by a base that spreads out the portion touching the ground and stabilizes the vertical element and the ball and prevents them from tipping over. The shape of the tee minimizes the likelihood that it will tip over when the ball is kicked or struck with the foot. The tee can be used on any surface and can be further secured to the ground with a golf tee or similar stake like element. The vertical support element is pliable enough to easily deflect if the foot comes into contact with it and is stiff enough to support the ball in a static position. The height of the vertical support element can also be adjusted to a lower position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14 / 446,093 having a filing date of Jul. 29, 2014, and titled “SOCCER TEE FOR USE IN TRAINING .”FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The field of the invention relates generally to sports training devices, such as soccer kick training.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]From the early days of youth soccer practice throughout the US, around the ages of 7 or 8 years old, a common instruction heard on the field is “Don't kick with your toes, kick with your laces.”[0004]Soccer coaches frequently will instruct young players to kick the ball with the top of their foot; rather than their toes. To illustrate the foregoing technique, the coach will place his toe downward, nearly perpendicular to the grass, and against the side of the soccer ball demonstrating his shoe laces contacting the ball and not his toes. Unfortunately, this is often the extent of the “lace-kick” tra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In one aspect, the present invention includes a training apparatus to teach a soccer player to perform a lace-kick on the soccer ball using the top of his or her foot and orient and fix the foot with respect to the ankle and lower leg. As the foot approaches the soccer ball, the lower leg swings about the knee causing the foot to accelerate into the ball and transfers the maximum energy from the foot into the soccer ball. The training apparatus allows a soccer player to swing the foot extended in a rigid downward position and make contact with the soccer ball without contacting the ground with the toe end of the shoe. The soccer tee device puts the soccer ball in an elevated position above the ground and allows the kicking foot to more easily make contact with the soccer ball at a point slightly lower than the center of gravity, thereby imparting an upward trajectory on the ball. The soccer player gains confidence more quickly by repeating the technique and overcomes the frustration of repeatedly kicking the ball with the toe and failing to impart a lift to the soccer ball.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, this is often the extent of the “lace-kick” training.

The articles will not stay in place after a kick and therefore offer no consistency over time.

The articles typically do not support the soccer ball at an optimal height for training lace-kicks.

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