Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-08-07
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S217000, C482S900000, C340S32300R, C340S666000, C340S573100, C036S136000, C036S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270432
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the sport of tennis. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods for training and drilling tennis players to stand and move with their weight on the balls of their feet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is frequently advantageous when playing tennis to play at a position close to the net. When done properly, net play can result in winning the match, because in this position, players can hit shots to the opponents' feet, placing them at a disadvantage. The opponents often miss the shot immediately, or commit an error. Net players have an additional advantage because they are hitting the ball in a downward direction, increasing the power and speed of the return, to opponents who must hit the ball in an, upward direction, resulting in a return of less power and speed.
However, it is difficult to play the net position properly, especially for beginning players. The pace of play at the net is faster than play from the baseline. Net play calls for anticipation, fast response and quick movement.
One technique that works to reduce reaction time and increase speed and, therefore, to improve play at the net, is for players to stand and move with their weight on the forward part or balls of their feet. Such a stance enables the player to respond quickly in any direction, and is a significant component in playing the net position successfully.
It can be difficult for a novice to learn to play at the net, and for instructors to teach this skill. Many simultaneous events and conditions demand attention at any particular time, making it difficult to isolate and drill many skills used in the sport of tennis. This is particularly true when learning to play at the net. Because a stance with the weight on the balls of the feet is so important to playing at the net, and because it is difficult to learn and teach this skill, there is a need for a way to unambiguously evaluate and improve footwork at the net. A device that would warn or inform players immediately when they do not have their weight on the balls of their feet would be particularly valuable. In addition, there is a need for a device for training players to use the proper stance and drilling them in the use of that stance that is effective, and relatively simple, inexpensive, convenient and easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a sports footwork training device that immediately and effectively alerts players if their weight is not on the balls of the feet, but on the heels. A sports footwork training device according to the present invention may comprise a switch removably attachable to a rearward portion of a lower surface of a sole of a shoe, the switch closable by application of pressure to a heel of the shoe, and an alarm, electrically coupled to the switch, triggered when the switch is closed. The alarm may be an audible alarm. The switch and the alarm may be enclosed in a casing; the casing may be flexible and/or expandable. The casing may additionally comprise a battery holder. The device may additionally comprise at least one clip for removably attaching the switch to the shoe. The alarm may also be removably attachable to the shoe, by at least one clip.
In another aspect, a sports footwork training device according to the present invention comprises a switch removably attachable to a rearward portion of a lower surface of a sole of a shoe, the switch closable by application of pressure to a heel of a shoe, and an alarm, electrically coupled to the switch, triggered when the switch is open. The alarm may be removably attachable to the shoe.
In yet another aspect, a method for training a sports participant to maintain weight on a forward part of a foot, according to the present invention, comprises removably attaching, to a rearward portion of a lower surface of at least one sole of the sports participant's shoe, a switch closable by application of pressure to a heel of the shoe, and triggering an alarm, electrically coupled to the switch, when the sports participant applies pressure to the heel of the shoe, thereby encouraging the sports participant to maintain weight on the forward part of the foot. The alarm may be an audible alarm and may be removably attached to an upper portion of the shoe, prior to triggering. In one aspect, triggering the alarm comprises causing the alarm to emit an audible sound. The switch and the alarm may be enclosed in a casing, and removably attaching the switch may comprise removably attaching the casing to the shoe. The casing may additionally comprise a clip at either end, and removably attaching the casing to the shoe may comprise clipping the casing to the shoe at points below an inner and an outer ankle of the sports participant. The sports participant may be a tennis player, and removably attaching the switch may comprise removably attaching the switch to at least one sole of the tennis player's shoe.
In yet another aspect, a sports footwork training device according to the present invention comprises a switch removably attachable to a rearward portion of a lower surface of a sole of a shoe, the switch closable by application of pressure to a heel of the shoe, and means coupled to the switch for indicating closing of the switch. The means for indicating may comprise an audible alarm.
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Aryanpour Mitra
Chapman Jeanette
Heslin & Rothenberg, P.C.
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