Ball-sport exercise aid

Abstract

A ball-sport exercise aid comprises a first end 2 and a second end 4 connected to each other by a first handle 6 and a second handle 8. The first handle and the second handle are spaced apart and a fi

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-sport exercise aid for connecting to a resistance means, a method of connecting the ball-sport exercise aid to a resistance means, a kit comprising the ball-sport exercise aid and at least one resistance means, and a method of using the ball-sport exercise aid. Background to the Invention Sports players train to improve not only their overall fitness but also their strength and form when doing specific sporting movements. Resistance or weights-based equipment is typically used by athletes for a number of exercises; however, it can be advantageous for athletes to specifically strengthen the muscles used during exact motions performed during the sport, such as throwing a ball, to improve the athlete’s in-game performance. Sports players typically practice their throwing motion by training with another individual, which relies on a second individual being available, or alternatively by modifying available gym equipment for example by using resistance bands or specific attachments on weights-based equipment. A known method of practicing a throwing motion is to use a resistance band attached to a static object. This method may not be preferred for certain throwing motions because the resistance band may not be easy to grip with both hands wherein both hands are spaced apart, for example to mimic holding a ball. Alternatively handles or attachments may be attached to weights-equipment to provide resistance during a specific motion. The handles or attachments typically connect to the weights-based equipment at a central point of the attachment and not at an end of the attachment, and therefore cannot be used to provide suitable resistance when practicing specific sporting motions such as throwing a rugby ball. Throwing a rugby ball comprises a twisting and throwing movement from a standing or kneeling position whilst gripping and subsequently releasing the ball. Throwing a rugby ball also comprises holding and gripping the outer surface of a rugby ball with both hands. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid for use with a resistance means for ball-sport players, especially rugby players, to use for training. It would be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid for use with a resistance means wherein in use the user’s hands are spaced apart at a distance equal to the width of a ball to properly mimic throwing the ball. It would be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid which may target both the players ball gripping skills and strength to improve their overall performance. It would be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid which may improve a sporting athlete’s performance without the need for another person or a specific set up. It would be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid which can be easily used with known equipment available in gyms or other training areas. It would be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid which can be used to simulate the throwing motion used in rugby or other similar sports. It would be advantageous to provide a ball-sport exercise aid which is safe and designed to target the desired muscles and improve performance whilst mitigating the chance of injury, or which may be used as an aid for rehabilitation. It is an aim of embodiments of the invention to overcome one or more problems of the prior art, whether expressly disclosed herein or not. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a ball-sport exercise aid comprising; a first end and a second end connected to each other by a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle and the second handle are spaced apart and a first end of the first handle and a first end of the second handle are connected to the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid, and a second end of the first handle and a second end of the second handle are connected to the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid; and a connector at one end of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the connector is suitable for connecting the ball-sport exercise aid to a resistance means in use. The ball-sport exercise aid may be advantageous because it may allow athletes to practice and improve a throwing motion using the resistance means and ensures that the resistance, or weight, is evenly distributed by way of the two handles. The ball-sport exercise aid may be advantageous because it may enable athletes to practice and train a throwing motion with the athlete’s hands being spaced apart and wherein the resistance is at one end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The ball-sport exercise aid may be advantageous because it may enable athletes to train their gripping strength with their hands spaced apart and wherein the resistance is at one end of the ball-sport exercise aid. In preferred embodiments the ball-sport exercise aid is a rugby exercise aid or a rugby training aid. The first handle and the second handle may be substantially parallel. The first end of the ball-sport exercise aid and the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be substantially parallel. The first handle and the second handle may be substantially parallel and the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid and the second end of the ballsport exercise aid may be substantially parallel. The first handle and the second handle may be substantially parallel and the first end and the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be substantially parallel and the first end and the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be substantially perpendicular to the parallel first and second handles. The first handle and the second handle may be substantially parallel, and the first end and the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may form a substantially rectangular or oval shaped-structure. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may provide a ball-sport exercise aid in which each handle may be gripped by a separate hand wherein each hand is spaced apart and wherein the resistance means is connected towards the top or the bottom of the hands to create resistance at the top or the bottom of the hands. The first and the second handles and the first and the second ends of the ballsport exercise aid may be co-planar. The first and the second handles and the first and the second ends of the ball-sport exercise aid may be co-planar and parallel. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may allow the user’s hands to grip the handles in a co-planar parallel orientation which may be more representative of holding a sports ball. The first and the second handles, the first and the second ends of the ballsport exercise aid and the connector may all be co-planar. The length of the first and second handles may be the distance from the first end to the second end of each handle. The length of the first and second handles may be more than the length of the first and second ends of the ball-sport exercise aid. The length of the first and second handles may be more than the distance between the first handle and the second handle. The first and second handles and the first and second ends of the ball-sport exercise aid may form an oval or rectangular shaped-structure. The first and second handles and the first and second ends of the ball-sport exercise aid may create a shape which is substantially rugby ball shaped. The first and second handles and the first and second ends of the ball-sport exercise aid may be sized to create a shape which is substantially rugby ball sized. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may allow rugby players to improve their throwing motion using a device which mimics the size and shape of a rugby ball. The first and second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be substantially hemispherical, cylindrical or cuboidal. In some embodiments the first and second end of the ball-sport exercise aid comprise substantially straight members, such as bars or cylinders. In some embodiments the first and second end of the ball-sport exercise aid comprise curved members, such as hemispheres, hemispherical segments or closed arches, for example. The first and second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be outwardly curved. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may mimic the overall shape of a ball, for example a rugby ball. The connector may be at the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The connector may be located at the centre of the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The connector may be located at a central point on a surface of the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the central point is equidistant from the first handle and the second handle. The connector may be located at a central point on a surface of the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the surface is an outer end surface of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the central point is equidistant from the first handle and the second handle. The connector may be at the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The connector may be located at the centre of the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The connector may be located at a central point on a surface of the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the central point is equidistant from the first handle and the second handle. The connector may be located at a central point on a surface of the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the surface is an outer end surface of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the central point is equidistant from the first handle and the second handle. A connector at one end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be advantageous because in use it may provide tension or resistance from one end of the ball-sport exercise aid. A connector located at a central point on the outer end surface of one end of the ball-sport exercise aid wherein the central point is equidistant from the first handle and the second handle may be advantageous because in use it may provide tension or resistance from one end of the ball-sport exercise aid and evenly through both handles. The connector may extend outwardly from the first or the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid such that it extends away from the handles. The connector may extend co-planarly from the first or the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid such that it extends away from the handles. This may be advantageous because in use it may connect to the resistance means and provide tension or resistance from one end of the ball-sport exercise aid to allow the ball-sport exercise aid to be pulled away from the resistance means using both handles. In some embodiments the first handle and / or the second handle may be straight. In some embodiments the first handle and / or the second handle may be at least partially curved. In some embodiments the first handle may be curved away from the second handle such that the two handles form a rounded shape. The rounded shape may be similar to a ball, for example a rugby ball. The first end of the first handle and / or the first end of the second handle may comprise a first end face. The first end of the first hand and / or the first end of the second handle may comprise a first end face such that the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid is connected to the first end face of the first handle and / or the first end face of the second handle. The second end of the first handle and / or the second end of the second handle may comprise a second end face. The second end of the first handle and / or the second end of the second handle may be a second end face such that the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid is connected to the second end face of the first handle and / or second end face of the second handle. In some embodiments the first end of the first handle comprises a first end face of the first handle, the first end of the second handle comprises a first end face of the second handle, the second end of the first handle comprises a second end face of the first handle and the second end of the second handle comprises a second end face of the second handle. The first end of the first and / or second handle may be a first end portion. The first end of the first and / or second handle may be a first end portion such that the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid is connected to the first end portion at a point set in from the end face of the handle. The second end of the first and / or second handle may be a second end portion. The second end of the first and / or second handle may be a second end portion such that the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid is connected to the second end portion at a point set in from the end face of the handle. In some embodiments the first end of the first handle is a first end portion of the first handle, the first end of the second handle is a first end portion of the second handle, the second end of the first handle is a second end portion of the first handle and the second end of the second handle is a second end portion of the second handle. The first handle and / or the second handle may be rigid. The first end of the ballsports exercise aid and / or the second end of the ball-sports exercise aid may be rigid. “Rigid” is defined as not able to be bent or moved under normal operation by a user. The first handle and / or the second handle may comprise a circular, oval or egg-shaped cross-section. The first handle and / or the second handle may be substantially cylindrical. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may enable to user to comfortably hold the handles. The first handle and / or the second handle may comprise a metal. The metal may be selected from the group consisting of; steel, stainless steel, aluminium, coated aluminium such as chrome aluminium, titanium and iron or any combination thereof. The first handle and / or the second handle may comprise a polymer. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride, silicone or any combination thereof. The first handle and / or the second handle may comprise a central body and an outer coating. The outer coating may be flexible or compressible. The outer coating may be a flexible coating to provide grip or a softer surface for the user’s hands. The outer coating may comprise a pattern such as a crosshatch or striped pattern. The outer coating may comprise a pattern to increase friction between the user’s hands and the ball-sport exercise aid. The outer coating may comprise a polymer. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride, silicone or any combination thereof. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may provide a slightly softer gripping surface in use which may be more comfortable to hold. In some embodiments the first handle and / or the second handle are extendable. The first handle and / or the second handle may be telescopic such that they may be extended and secured at a specific length. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may provide a ball-sport exercise aid with a modifiable size to represent sports balls of different lengths or dimensions. In some embodiments the first and second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be extendable. The first and second end of the ball-sport exercise aid may be telescopic such that they may be extended and secured at a specific length. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may provide a ball-sport exercise aid with a modifiable width to mimic sports balls of different dimensions or diameters. The connector may be integrally connected to the first or the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The connector may be detachably connected to the first or the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The connector may comprise a hook, a clip, a loop, a ring, or a body comprising at least one slot or at least one aperture. The connector may comprise a rotatable connector. The connector may comprise a pivotable connector. The connector may comprise a swivel clip, a swivel joint or a ball bearing. The connector or at least part of the connector may be rotatable. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may prevent the resistance means from tangling with the ball-sports exercise aid in use. In some embodiments the connector comprises a mount and a coupling device. The mount may be integrally or detachably connected to the first or the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid. The coupling device may be rotatable within or on the mount. The coupling device may comprise a hook, a clip, a loop, a ring, or a body comprising at least one slot or at least one aperture. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising a ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention and at least one resistance means. The resistance means may comprise at least one weight. The resistance means may comprise an apparatus comprising weights. The resistance means may comprise an apparatus comprising weights and a pulley system. The weights may be movable, or the weights may be static. The resistance means may comprise a cable machine. The resistance means may comprise at least one resistance band. A resistance band may also be known as a tension band or a tension tube. The resistance means may comprise at least two, three, four or at least five resistance bands. The resistance means may comprise at least two, three, four or at least five resistance bands wherein the resistance bands may comprise different tension strengths. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of connecting a ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention to a resistance means comprising connecting the ball-sport exercise aid connector to the resistance means. The resistance means may be any resistance means as defined in the second aspect of the invention. The resistance means may comprise a connector which may be connected to the ball-sport exercise aid connector. The ball-sport exercise aid connector may comprise a clip, a hook, a loop, or a body comprising a slit or an aperture, which may be connected to the ball-sport exercise aid connector. The resistance means connector may comprise a clip, a hook, a loop or a body comprising a slit or an aperture, which may be connected to the ball-sport exercise aid connector. The ball-sport exercise aid may comprise a clip which may be clipped to the resistance means or to the resistance means connector. The ball-sport exercise aid may comprise a hook which may be hooked to the resistance means or to the resistance means connector. The resistance means may comprise a clip which may be clipped to the ballsport exercise aid. The resistance means may comprise a hook which may be hooked to the ball-sport exercise aid. The resistance means may comprise a rope, band or cable which may be tied to the ball-sport exercise aid connector wherein the ball-sport exercise connector may comprise a loop, a ring or a body comprising an aperture. The resistance means may comprise a comprise a rope, band or cable which may be threaded through the ball-sport exercise aid connector and secured wherein the ball-sport exercise connector may comprise a loop, a ring or a body comprising an aperture. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a kit of the second aspect of the invention comprising connecting the ball-sport exercise aid to a resistance means via the connector at one end of the ball-sport exercise aid, and moving the ball-sport exercise aid away from the resistance means to apply a resisting force to the ball-sport exercise aid. The resistance means may be according to any resistance means defined in the second or third aspects of the invention. The ball-sport exercise aid may be connected to the resistance means according to any method as described in the third aspect of the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of a ball-sport exercise aid of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the connector of the ball-sport exercise aid of figure 1. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the ball-sport exercise aid of figure 1 and an arrow to show the direction of movement in use. Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of a ball-sport exercise aid of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of a ball-sport exercise aid of the invention. A first embodiment of a ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention is illustrated in figure 1. The ball-sport exercise aid (1) comprises a first end (2) and a second end (4) connected to each other by a first handle (6) and a second handle (8), wherein the first handle (6) and the second handle (8) are spaced apart and a first end (10) of the first handle (6) and a first end (12) of the second handle (8) are connected to the first end (2) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1), and a second end (14) of the first handle (6) and a second end (16) of the second handle (8) are connected to the second end (4) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1); and a connector (18) at the first end (2) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) wherein the connector (18) is suitable for connecting the ballsport exercise aid (1) to a resistance means in use. The ball-sport exercise aid (1) is a rugby training exercise aid. The first handle (6) and the second handle (8) are substantially cylindrical shape. The first handle (6) and the second handle (8) are parallel. The first handle (6) comprises an outer surface (7) wherein the outer surface (7) is the surface furthest from the second handle (8), and the second handle (8) comprises an outer surface (9) wherein the outer surface (9) is the surface furthest from the first handle (6). The outer surface (7) of the first handle (6) and the outer surface (9) of the second handle (8) are spaced apart at a distance similar to or equivalent to the width of a rugby ball. The first end (2) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) and the second end (4) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) are outwardly curved away from the first (6) and second handles (8). The first end (2) and the second end (4) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) are parallel. The first end (2) comprises an outer end surface (3) wherein the outer end surface (3) is the surface furthest from the second end (4) and the second end (4) comprises an outer end surface (5) wherein the outer end surface (5) is the surface furthest from the first end (2). The outer end surface (3) of the first end (2) and the outer end surface (5) of the second end (4) are spaced apart at a distance similar to or equivalent to the length of a rugby ball. The first handle (6), the second handle (8), the first end (2) and the second end (4) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) are co-planar. The connector (18) is illustrated in more detail in figure 2. The connector (18) comprises a mount (20) from which extends a coupling device (22). The mount (20) is located at a central point (23) on the outer surface (3) of the first end (2) of the ballsport exercise aid (1) wherein the central point (23) is equidistant from the first handle (6) and the second handle (8). The connector (18) extends outwards from the ball-sport exercise aid (1) such that the connector (18) is co-planar with the first handle (6), the second handle (8), the first end (2) and the second end (4) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1). The mount (20) comprises an outer body (24) which is fixedly connected to the central point (23) of the first end (2) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) and an inner rotatable body (26) located concentrically within the outer body (24). The coupling device (22) is connected to the inner rotatable body (26). In use, this connector (18) arrangement enables the coupling device (22) to rotate around a central axis as illustrated by an arrow in figure 2. It is understood that the coupling device (22) may be any suitable clip, loop or other device for attaching the ball-sport exercise aid (1) to a resistance means. In this embodiment, the coupling device (22) comprise a body (28) which comprises an aperture (29). In use the ball-sport exercise aid (1) is connected to a resistance means by way of the connector (18). The resistance means may be a machine or gym equipment comprising weights or a secured resistance band. The resistance means may comprise a clip, a hook, a rope, a cable, a loop, or a band which may be threaded through the aperture (29) to connect the ball-sport exercise aid (1) to the resistance means. After' the ball-sport exercise aid (1) is connected to the resistance means, the user can grip the parallel handles (6, 8) and move the ball-sport exercise aid (1) against a resisting force in the direction illustrated by the arrow on figure 3. The co-planar structure of the parallel handles (6, 8), the two ends (2, 4) and the connector (18), wherein the resistance means is connected to the first end (2) by way of a connector (18) located at the central point (23) of the outer surface (2) of the first end (2), is advantageous for mimicking the motion of throwing a ball, for example a rugby ball. The spaced apart and fixed handles (6, 8) mimic the user holding a ball by the edges and enable training of both grip strength and throwing motion using the resistance means. A first embodiment of a kit of the second aspect of the invention is provided wherein the kit comprises the first embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) and at least one resistance means wherein the resistance means is a weighted cable exercise machine. A second embodiment of a kit of the second aspect of the invention is provided wherein the kit comprises the first embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) and at least one resistance means wherein the resistance means is a resistance band. A second embodiment of a ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention is illustrated in figure 4. The ball-sport exercise aid (101) comprises a first end (2) and a second end (4) connected to each other by a first handle (106) and a second handle (108), wherein the first handle (106) and the second handle (108) are spaced apart and a first end (110) of the first handle (106) and a first end (112) of the second handle (108) are connected to the first end (2) of the ball-sport exercise aid (101), and a second end (114) of the first handle (106) and a second end (116) of the second handle (108) are connected to the second end (4) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1); and a connector (18) at the first end (2) of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) wherein the connector (18) is suitable for connecting the ball-sport exercise aid (101) to a resistance means in use; and wherein the first handle (106) and the second handle (108) are outwardly curved away from each other. The second embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (101) is essentially the same as the first embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) except the first handle (106) and the second handle (108) of the second embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (101) are outwardly curved away from each other. This embodiment is advantageous because it has more of a rounded shape to mimic a ball. A third embodiment of a kit of the second aspect of the invention is provided wherein the kit comprises the second embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (101) and at least one resistance means wherein the resistance means is a weighted cable exercise machine. A fourth embodiment of a kit of the second aspect of the invention is provided wherein the kit comprises the second embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (101) and at least one resistance means wherein the resistance means is a resistance band. A third embodiment of a ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention is illustrated in figure 5. The ball-sport exercise aid (201) comprises a first end (202) and a second end (204) connected to each other by a first handle (206) and a second handle (208), wherein the first handle (206) and the second handle (208) are spaced apart and a first end portion (230) of the first handle (206) and a first end portion (232) of the second handle (208) are connected to the first end (202) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201), and a second end portion (234) of the first handle (206) and a second end portion (236) of the second handle (208) are connected to the second end (204) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201); and a connector (18) at the first end (202) of the ballsport exercise aid (201) wherein the connector (18) is suitable for connecting the ballsport exercise aid (201) to a resistance means in use. The first end portion (230) of the first handle (206) comprises a first end face (11) and the first end portion (232) of the second handle (208) comprises a first end face (13). The first end portion (230) of the first handle (206) and the first end portion (232) of the second handle (208) are connected to the first end (202) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) at a point set in from the first end face (11) of the first handle (206) and the first end face (13) of the second handle (208). The second end portion (234) of the first handle (206) comprises a second end face (15) and the second end portion (236) of the second handle (208) comprises a second end face (17). The second end portion (234) of the first handle (206) and the second end portion (236) of the second handle (208) are connected to the second end (204) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) at a point set in from the second end face (15) of the first handle (206) and the second end face (17) of the second handle (208). The first end (202) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) and the second end (204) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) are cylindrical, parallel and spaced apart. The connector (18) is located at a central point (223) of the first end (202) wherein the central point (223) is equidistant from the first handle (206) and the second handle (208). The connector (18) extends away from the first handle (206) and the second handle (208) and beyond the first end (202) of the ball-sport exercise aid (201). The third embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) is essentially the same as the first embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (1) except the first end (202) and the second end (204) are connected to the first handle (206) and the second handle (208) at a point set in from the end faces (11, 13, 15, 17) of the handles (206, 208), and the first end (202) and the second end (204) are cylindrical instead of outwardly curved. A fifth embodiment of a kit of the second aspect of the invention is provided wherein the kit comprises the third embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) and at least one resistance means wherein the resistance means is a weighted cable exercise machine. A sixth embodiment of a kit of the second aspect of the invention is provided wherein the kit comprises the third embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid (201) and at least one resistance means wherein the resistance means is a resistance band. The second and third embodiments of the ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention may be connected to a resistance means and used as described in the first embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention. It is understood that the first, second and / or third embodiments of the ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention may comprise a connector wherein the connector comprises a hook, a clip, a ring or a loop as an alternative to the connector described in the first embodiment of the ball-sport exercise aid of the first aspect of the invention. The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ball-sport exercise aid comprising;a first end and a second end connected to each other by a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle and the second handle are spaced apart and a first end of the first handle and a first end of the second handle are connected to the first end of the ball-sport exercise aid, and a second end of the first handle and a second end of the second handle are connected to the second end of the ball-sport exercise aid; anda connector at one end of the ball-sport exercise aid, wherein the connector is suitable for connecting the ball-sport exercise aid to a resistance means in use.

2. A ball-sport exercise aid according to claim 1 wherein the first handle and the second handle are parallel.

3. A ball-sport exercise aid according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the firsthandle and the second handle are straight.

4. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein the first handle and the second handle are rigid.

5. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein the first handle and the second handle are cylindrical.

6. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein the first end of the first handle is a first end face of the first handle, the first end of thesecond handle is a first end face of the second handle, the second end of thefirst handle is a second end face of the first handle and the second end of the second handle is a second end face of the second handle.

7. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein the connector is located at a central point on a surface of the first end of the ballsport exercise aid.

8. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein the connector extends away from the first and second handle.

9. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein at least part of the connector is rotatable.

10. A ball-sport exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein the ballsport exercise aid is a rugby training aid.

11. A kit comprising a ball-sport exercise aid of any of claims 1 to 10 and at least one resistance means.

12. A kit according to claim 11 wherein the resistance means comprises an apparatus comprising weights.

13. A kit according to claim 11 wherein the resistance means comprises at least one resistance band.

14. A method of connecting a ball-sport exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 10 to a resistance means comprising connecting the ball-sport exercise aid connector to the resistance means.

15. A method of using a kit of any of claims 11 to 13 comprising connecting the connector to the resistance means and moving the ball-sport exercise aid awayfrom the resistance means to apply a resisting force to the ball-sport exercise aid.

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