U.S. patent application number 10/336127 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for training device for throwing.
Invention is credited to Blass, Joshua M., Broglio, Ernest G., Munoz, Mark D. JR..
Application Number | 20040132557 10/336127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32680934 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040132557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Broglio, Ernest G. ; et
al. |
July 8, 2004 |
Training device for throwing
Abstract
A throwing training apparatus includes at least one, but
preferably two approximately parallel planar guides that are
positioned behind a user relative to a throwing target. The guides
have at least a portion that is planar, wherein the throwing target
is in the plane of the planar portion. In one embodiment, the
planar guides may be configured as tubular arcs of, e.g.,
approximately 180 degrees, such that the have a C shape. While a
user moves his or her hand in a throwing motion, the planar guides
provide tactile feedback to the user indicating when the user is
breaking a desired planar throwing motion. With repetition of the
throwing motion using the present invention, one may develop muscle
memory of the proper throwing form, which will enable one to
consistently throw with the proper form without the aid of the
training apparatus.
Inventors: |
Broglio, Ernest G.; (San
Jose, CA) ; Blass, Joshua M.; (San Jose, CA) ;
Munoz, Mark D. JR.; (Saratoga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SILICON VALLEY PATENT GROUP LLP
2350 MISSION COLLEGE BOULEVARD
SUITE 360
SANTA CLARA
CA
95054
US
|
Family ID: |
32680934 |
Appl. No.: |
10/336127 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/422 ;
473/438; 473/447; 473/451 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/0006 20130101;
A63B 69/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/422 ;
473/438; 473/447; 473/451 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A training apparatus for training a user to throw a sports ball,
the training apparatus comprising: at least one guide having at
least a portion that is planar; and at least one support element
coupled to the at least one guide, the support element positions
the planar portion in an approximately vertical position and behind
a user relative to a throwing target during use such that the
throwing target is approximately in the plane of the planar
portion.
2. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide provides
tactile feedback to the user during a throwing motion.
3. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training
apparatus comprises two guides that are approximately parallel to
each other, wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the
two guides during the throwing motion.
4. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
guide is planar and comprises a C shaped member.
5. The training apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one
guide comprises a tubular member that is configured in an arc of
approximately 180 degrees.
6. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ball
holder disposed proximate to the bottom of the at least one
guide.
7. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
guide comprises a plurality of guide elements positioned relative
to each other to form a plane.
8. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support element comprises a stand to which the at least one guide
is coupled.
9. The training apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one
support element comprises a stand to which the two guides are
coupled, wherein the stand is adjustable to vary the height of the
two guides and the stand is adjustable to vary the distance between
the two guides.
10. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
support element comprises a top support element that supports the
at least one planar guide from approximately the top of the at
least one planar guide.
11. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
guide comprises a horizontal portion that is coupled to the
vertically positioned planar portion.
12. The training apparatus of claim 11, wherein the training
apparatus comprises two guides, each having a horizontal portion
that are coupled to vertically positioned planar portions, wherein
the two guides are approximately parallel to each other, wherein
the user's arm and hand is moved between the two guides during the
throwing motion.
13. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sports
ball coupled to a means for providing resistance to the motion of
the sports ball.
14. The training apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for
providing resistance comprises a pulley coupled to the sports ball
by a cable.
15. A training apparatus comprising: means for guiding a user's arm
and hand during a throwing exercise using tactile feedback in an
approximately vertical planar motion for at least a portion of the
throwing motion; and at least one support element for holding the
means for guiding behind the user relative to a throwing
target.
16. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for
guiding guides the user's arm in an approximately vertical planar
motion throughout the throwing motion.
17. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for
guiding guides the user's arm in an approximately horizontal motion
prior to guiding the user's arm in the approximately vertical
planar motion.
18. The training apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for
guiding comprises two C shaped members between which the user's arm
is moved during the throwing exercise.
19. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one
support element holds the means for guiding from approximately the
bottom of the means for guiding.
20. The training apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one
support element holds the means for guiding from approximately the
top of the means for guiding.
21. A method of training a user to throw a sports ball, the method
comprising: positioning at least one guide behind a user relative
to a throwing target, the guide having at least one planar portion,
wherein the guide is positioned such that the throwing target is
approximately within the plane of the planar portion; moving the
hand and arm of the user through a throwing motion; and using
tactile feedback from the guide during the throwing motion to
indicate to the user when the hand and arm moves outside a desired
range of motion.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: positioning a
sports ball proximate to the bottom of the guide at approximately
arms reach of the user; and picking up the sports ball prior to
moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing
motion.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the user faces the throwing
target while moving the hand and arm of the user through the
throwing motion.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the user faces approximately
perpendicular to the throwing target while moving the hand and arm
of the user through the throwing motion.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing resistance
to the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to athletic training devices
and, in particular, to a device for training proper technique for
throwing a sports ball.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Proper throwing technique for an athlete is important as it
improves performance; both in accuracy and velocity of the throw,
and helps reduce injury. Throwing is a skill that is learned
through practice and repetition. Of course, if improper throwing
technique is used during practice, one's throwing skill will not
improve and the risk of injury is increased.
[0003] When throwing a sports ball with good form, the thrower uses
a smooth circular arm motion in which the hand is first moved
backward, and then over the shoulder until the hand is moved
forward at which time the ball is released. The circular arm motion
ideally is within a plane that includes the target. Mistakes made
by novice throwers including cocking the arm back instead of using
the circular arm motion and breaking the ideal plane of motion
during the throw, typically at the beginning of the throw.
Additional mistakes made by a novice thrower including pivoting or
shifting his or her weight forward too early in the throw.
[0004] Devices for assisting in practicing one's throwing skills
are known. For example, one type of known training device is the
basic target, which may be in the form of a net or rebound
mechanism. While target type training devices may improve accuracy,
they do not assist in improving form.
[0005] Other types of training device include restraining devices,
such as an elbow sleeves or resilient tethers. Restraining type
training device limit arm or body mobility to force the user to use
the desired throwing motion. Restraining type training devices,
however, do not lead to muscle memory for the proper technique. The
user typically relies on the restraining device to prevent the
undesirable motion. In doing so, the user has not learned how to
move unaided with the proper throwing technique.
[0006] Thus, what is needed is a training device for throwing that
will effectively teach the user the proper throwing technique, such
that the user will learn and be able to replicate the desired
motion.
SUMMARY
[0007] A training device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, uses at least one, but preferably two
approximately parallel guides to teach a user the proper throwing
motion. The guides include at least a portion that is vertically
planar. While a user moves his or her hand in a throwing motion,
the guides provide tactile feedback to the user indicating when the
user is not moving with the desired form. The guides may be planar
and configured as tubular arcs of, e.g., approximately 180 degrees,
such that they have a C shape. However, other shapes and
configurations may be used to provide the desired guides. For
example, the guides may have a horizontal portion, that is used,
e.g., to train a shortened throw. With repetition of the throwing
motion using the present invention, one may develop muscle memory
of the proper throwing form, which will enable one to consistently
throw with the proper form without the aid of the training
apparatus.
[0008] In one embodiment, a training apparatus for training a user
to throw a sports ball includes at least one guide that has at
least a portion that is planar and at least one support element
coupled to the guide. The support element positions the planar
portion of the guide in an approximately vertical position and
behind a user relative to a throwing target during use such that
the throwing target is approximately in the plane of the planar
portion of the guide. In one embodiment, the training apparatus
includes two guides that are approximately parallel to each other,
wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the two planar
guides during the throwing motion. In one embodiment, the training
apparatus includes a ball holder proximate to the bottom of the
planar guides.
[0009] In another embodiment, a training apparatus includes a means
for guiding a user's arm and hand during a throwing exercise using
tactile feedback in an approximately vertical planar motion for at
least a portion of the throwing motion. The training apparatus also
includes at least one support element for holding the means for
guiding behind the user relative to a throwing target. The means
for guiding may guide the user's arm in an approximately vertical
planar motion throughout the throwing motion, or may guide the
user's arm in an approximately horizontal motion prior to guiding
the user's arm in the approximately vertical planar motion.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method
of training a user to throw a sports ball includes positioning at
least one guide behind a user relative to a throwing target, where
the guide has at least one planar portion, wherein the guide is
positioned such that the throwing target is in the plane of the
planar portion. The user moves his or her hand and arm through a
throwing motion and uses the tactile feedback from the guide during
the throwing motion to indicate when the user's hand and arm moves
outside a desired range of motion. In one embodiment, the method
includes positioning a sports ball proximate to the bottom of the
planar guide at approximately arms reach of the user and picking up
the sports ball prior to moving the hand and arm of the user
through the throwing motion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show side, back, and top views,
respectively, of a training apparatus in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a training apparatus in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a front and top views, respectively of
another embodiment of a training apparatus in accordance with the
present invention.
[0014] FIGS. 7 and 8 show side views of other possible
configurations for planar guides used in accordance with the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of another support mechanism for a
training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view of training
apparatus and a user utilizing the training apparatus in one
training method.
[0017] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a top view of training
apparatus and a user utilizing the training apparatus in another
training method.
[0018] FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show side, front, and top views,
respectively, of a training apparatus in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of the present
invention that includes a resistance device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] A training apparatus for throwing, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, includes two approximately
parallel guides, which are used to guide the users hand through the
motion for throwing a sports ball, such as a baseball, softball,
cricket ball, or other type of ball. The guides provide tactile
feedback to the user to indicate when the user's arm and hand are
moving outside the desired range of motion.
[0021] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show side, back, and top views,
respectively, of a training apparatus 100 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. Training apparatus 100
includes two approximately parallel planar guides 102 and 104 that
are in an approximately vertical orientation. As shown in FIG. 1,
guides 102 and 104 (guide 104 is hidden from view in FIG. 1) have
an approximately 180 degree arc. The guides 102 and 104 should have
a radius that is appropriate for the size of the user. For example,
a small user would use guides that have an approximately 8 inch
radius arc and a larger user would use guides that have an
approximately 16 inch radius arc. The curvature of the guides 102,
104 is useful for visually conveying the desired hand and arm
motion when throwing. Moreover, by using curved guides 102, 104
only the user's forearm, wrist, and hand will contact the guides.
Thus, the desired guidance is provided to the user without
interfering with other body parts, such as the elbow, which may
extend through the plane of one of the guides when throwing.
[0022] In operation, the user moves his or her hand and arm between
guides 102 and 104 during a throwing exercise, where the throwing
target is approximately in the plane of the guides 102 and 104. The
guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback to teach a user to move
his or her arm in a smooth circular motion that is in a plane
between guides 102 and 104 (the plane is illustrated by the dashed
line 103 in FIG. 3). Guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback
when the user's arm is straying outside the desired plane. Thus,
the guides 102, 104 provide physical boundaries for the user, which
will increase the user's mental awareness of the desired arm motion
to throw a ball. Consequently, the user will be able to reproduce
the desired motion without the training apparatus 100.
[0023] The bottom ends of guides 102 and 104 are removably attached
to a frame 106. The frame 106 includes guide attachments 108 and
110 to which guides 102 and 104 are mounted, e.g., using removable
steel pins 109 and 111. The guide attachments 108 and 110 are
mounted on arms 112 and 114, respectively, e.g., welded or
otherwise fixed. The arms 112 and 114 are adjustably mounted to a
T-frame 116. For example, the cross member 117 of T-frame 116 may
be 11/4 inch box steel into which 1 inch box steel arms 112 and 114
may be inserted. The distance D between arms 112 and 114, and thus,
guides 102 and 104, is adjustable from, e.g., 9 to 12 inches.
Thumbscrews 118 and 120 are used to hold the arms 112 and 114 in
their desired positions.
[0024] In one embodiment, the upper surface of the cross member 117
of the T-frame 116 includes a ball holder 122, which may be, e.g.,
welded to the cross member 117. The ball holder 122 is proximate to
the bottom of the guides 102 and 104 and ideally at arms length for
the user. In operation, the user picks up a ball from the ball
holder 122 before beginning the throwing motion, which teaches the
user to start the throwing motion from the bottom of the desired
circular motion and from a relaxed position. The ball holder 122
thus should be close enough to the guides 102 and 104 that once the
ball is picked up, the user can easily begin the throwing motion
within the confines of guides 102 and 104.
[0025] The post 124 of T-frame 116 movably mounted to the stand
post 126. For example, the stand post 126 may be 11/4 inch box
steel into which 1 inch box steel post 124 may be inserted. A
thumbscrew 128 is used to securely hold the T-frame post 124 at the
desired height. The T-frame 116 height H.sub.116 is adjustable,
e.g., from 24 to 41 inches. The stand post 126 height H.sub.126 is,
e.g., 221/2 inches.
[0026] The stand post 126 is fixed to the stand base 130, e.g., is
welded or otherwise mounted. Adjustable base legs 132 and 134 are
movably mounted to the stand base 130, e.g., the stand base 130 may
be 11/4 inch box steel into which 1 inch box steel base legs 132
and 134 may be inserted. Thumbscrews 136 and 138 may be used to
securely hold the base legs 132 and 134 in their desired positions.
The width W between base legs 132 and 134 is adjustable, e.g., from
22 to 32 inches. The base legs 132 and 134 have a front length
L.sub.f of, e.g., 24 inches, and a back length L.sub.b of 6 inches.
Base legs 132 and 134 include through holes 140 (illustrated in
FIG. 3) for ground stakes 142 (illustrated in FIG. 1).
[0027] The materials used to make training apparatus 100 should be
light weight and sturdy. Preferably, the training apparatus 100 is
manufactured from materials and component parts that provide ease
of storage and assembly. For example, as described above, the frame
106 may be manufactured from, e.g., box steel or other appropriate
material. The guides 102, 104 may be manufactured from, e.g.,
{fraction (3/4)} inch PVC pipe that is bent into the desired shape.
It may be necessary to heat the PVC pipe and bend the heated pipe
over a frame to obtain the desired shape. Of course, other
dimensions and materials may be used in place of those described.
For example, one of both guides 102 and 104 may be manufactured
from metal, wood or other types of plastic. Moreover, the
particular shape and dimensions of guides 102 and 104 may be
altered if desired. For example, one or both guides 102 and 104 may
be manufactured from solid planes. FIG. 4, by way of example, shows
a training apparatus 200 that is similar to training apparatus 100
except that the guides are manufactured from a sheet of material,
such as wood or plastic (only guide 202 is shown in FIG. 4 as the
second guide is hidden from view). If desired, a curve 206 may be
marked, e.g., via paint, decal, etching, or otherwise, on the sides
of the guides to visually convey the desired hand and arm motion
when throwing. Moreover, a portion 208 (shown with broken lines) of
one or both of the guides may be cut-out in order to provide
eliminate interference with the user's elbow during the throwing
motion.
[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a front view and a top view, respectively
of another possible embodiment of a training apparatus 300 in
accordance with the present invention. Training apparatus 300
includes a number of vertically orientated elements 302 and 304
that in conjunction form planar guides 302a and 304a, which are
supported from above via top supporting members 306 and from below
via bottom supporting members 308. By way of example, top
supporting members 306 may be rope, cable, elastic cord, or any
other manner of support, including a non-flexible support such as a
hook. The top supporting members 306 may be connected, e.g., to a
tall frame or any relatively high support mechanism, such as a tree
limb, baseball backstop, basket ball hoop or support etc. The
bottom support members 308 likewise may be rope, cable, elastic
cord, or any other manner of support. The bottom support members
308 may be connected to ground using, e.g., stakes, spiral stakes,
weights, or a frame. Similar to guides 102 and 104, guides 302a and
304a of training apparatus 300 provide tactile feedback to the user
to learn to move his or her arm along a plane between guides 302a
and 304a (the plane is illustrated by the dashed line 303 in FIG.
6).
[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 show side views of other possible
configurations 352 and 354 for guides used in accordance with the
present invention. As can be seen, guide 352 in FIG. 7 includes
three members joined at approximately right angles to each other to
form a squared "C" shape. Guide 354 in FIG. 8 includes two members
that are joined at an acute angle to form an angular "C" shape.
Thus, it should be understood, that the guides of the training
apparatus, in accordance with the present invention may have many
different shapes and configurations. Nevertheless, the guides
provide guidance to the user to move his or her hand and arm in a
plane when throwing. Moreover, it should be understood that while
two guides are generally shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a single guide may
be used if desired. Alternatively two different shaped guides may
be used with the training apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a side view of another support mechanism for a
training apparatus 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, guide 102 is supported from
above by a top support member 402 and from below by bottom support
members 404 and 406 (guide 104 is hidden from view in FIG. 9).
Similar to the embodiment described in FIGS. 5 and 6, the top
support member 402 may be rope, cable, elastic cord, or any other
manner of support, including a non-flexible support such as a hook.
The top supporting members 402 may be connected, e.g., to a tall
frame or any relatively high support mechanism, such as a tree
limb, baseball backstop, basket ball hoop or support etc. The
bottom support members 404 and 406 likewise may be rope, cable,
elastic cord, or any other manner of support. The bottom support
members 404 and 406 may be connected to ground using, e.g., stakes,
spiral stakes, weights, or a frame. Alternatively, the guides 102
and 104 may be supported by only bottom support member that is
driven into the ground. In another embodiment, guides 102 and 104
may be supported by a support device that is coupled directly to
the user, e.g., by way of a harness. Thus, as can be seen in FIG.
9, the training apparatus in accordance with the present invention
may have different support mechanisms and is not limited to a solid
frame 106.
[0031] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view of training
apparatus 100 and a user utilizing the training apparatus 100 in
one training method. The user faces the intended throwing target.
The guides 102 and 104 are positioned behind the user relative to
the throwing target such that the throwing target is approximately
in the planes of the guides 102 and 104, i.e., in the plane of
desired throwing motion. It should be understood that during the
throwing exercises, the throwing target may be real, i.e., the ball
is actually thrown to the target, or imaginary, i.e., the ball is
retained by the user. The user holds a sports ball, e.g., a
baseball, at his or her side, or alternatively picks up the ball
from ball holder 122. The ball holder 122 is positioned at hand
height of the users when the user's arms are at his or her side.
Thus, the user begins the throw with his or her arm and hand in a
relaxed position at his or her side. The user moves his or her hand
and arm backwards between guides 102 and 104 along arrow 103a.
Guides 102 and 104 provide tactile feedback to the user if the user
moves his or her arm laterally, as indicated by arrow 600, which is
undesired movement. Undesirable lateral movement of the hand and
arm is a common occurrence for novice throwers, particularly in the
beginning of the throwing motion. In some embodiments, only a
single guide, e.g., guide 104, may be used, particularly where the
user breaks the desired plane of motion in only one lateral
direction, e.g., towards the right in FIG. 10A.
[0032] The user continues to move the arm and hand in a circular
motion (following the arc of the guides 102, 104) until there is an
approximately 90 degree angle between the forearm and biceps. When
the 90 degree angle between forearm and bicep is achieved, the user
begins the forward motion of his or her arm and hand along arrow
103b (shown in FIG. 10B) at which time the ball may be released. If
the user fails to achieve the 90 degree angle between the forearm
and biceps, the user will contact at least one the guides 102 and
104. When the user begins the forward motion the user's hand is no
longer between the guides 102 and 104. It should be understood that
the user may throw the ball during the exercise or hold onto the
ball. In either case, the user learns to move his or her hand in
the desired arcing motion through the use of guides 102 and 104
which provide feedback when the hand is no longer moving in the
desired plane.
[0033] FIGS. 1A and 11B illustrate a top view of training apparatus
100 and a user utilizing the training apparatus 100 in another
training method. Again, the guides 102 and 104 are positioned
behind the user relative to the throwing target such that the
throwing target is approximately in the planes of the guides 102
and 104, i.e., in the plane of desired throwing motion. However, as
illustrated in FIG. 11A, the user faces approximately perpendicular
to the intended throwing target. The user may start in this
position or may start slightly to the side and behind the training
apparatus and move into this position to simulate throwing while in
motion. Again, the user holds a sports ball, e.g., a baseball, at
his or her side, or alternatively picks up the ball from ball
holder 122. The ball holder 122 is positioned at hand height of the
users when the user's arms are at his or her side.
[0034] The user begins the throw with his or her arm and hand in a
relaxed position at his or her side. The user moves his or hand arm
backwards between guides 102 and 104 along arrow 103a. Guides 102
and 104 provide tactile feedback to the user if the user moves his
or her arm laterally, as indicated by arrow 600, which is undesired
movement. The user then begins a smooth backward motion as
indicated by arrow 103a in FIG. 11A. The arm and hand continue in a
circular motion (following the arc of the guides 102, 104) until
there is an approximately 90 degree angle between the forearm and
biceps. When the 90 degree angle between forearm and biceps is
achieved, the user pivots to throw the ball and begins the forward
motion of his or her arm and hand along arrow 103b (shown in FIG.
11B). In addition, once the hand is past the user's head, the user
can shift his or her weight forward, as pictured in FIG. 11B. If
the user pivots or shifts his or her weight to early, the user's
hand will no longer be between the guides 102 and 104. Thus, using
this training method, the user is trained to move his or her arm
and hand through the desired throwing motion along a plane as well
as the proper timing for pivoting and shifting the weight forward,
which is another point of difficulty for a novice thrower.
[0035] It should be understood that the present invention may be
used to train other types of throws. For example, a baseball
infielder sometimes uses a shortened throw, that is different than
the throw described above. A shortened throw does not follow the
full arc described above, i.e., starting from a relaxed position
with the hand at the side, but instead starts by moving the hand
horizontally behind the thrower. Once the hand is behind the
thrower, the 90 degree angle between forearm and biceps is
achieved, which is then followed by the forward motion.
[0036] FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 show side, front, and top views of
guides 702 and 704 that may be used to train a shortened throw in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can seen
in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, guides 702 and 704 include bottom portions
702a and 704a, respectively that are straight and horizontal and
are aligned with each other vertically. The guides 702 and 704 then
transition into vertical planar portions 702b and 704b,
respectively. Vertical planar portions 702b and 704b are similar to
the top portions of guides 102 and 104 described above.
[0037] Guides 702 and 704 may be supported by an appropriate
support mechanism, such as frame 106, which is modified to hold the
vertically aligned bottom portions 702a and 704a of guides 702 and
704. Moreover, it should be understood that guides 702 and 704 are
specific for a right handed thrower, and that mirror image guides
would be used for a left handed thrower.
[0038] In operation, the bottom portions 702a and 704a are
positioned at approximately chest height of the user. The user
moves his or her hand back horizontally between bottom portions
702a and 704a (along broken line 706). When the user's arm is
extended, the user begins to move his or her arm and hand in a
vertical plane (along broken line 708) that is aligned with the
throwing target, such as that described in reference to FIGS. 10A,
10B, 11A, and 11B.
[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, resistance
training may be used with the guides. For example, FIG. 15 shows a
side view of a training device 800 with at least one guide 802 (a
second guide may be included, but would be hidden in view in FIG.
15) and a resistance device 804. The resistance device 804, for
example, may be a spring loaded pulley 806 and cable 808 that is
connected to the sports ball 810. The spring loaded pulley 806
provides resistance to the user when the user moves the sports ball
810 through the desired throwing arc (indicated by arrow 812). The
cable 808 may be slidably connected to guide 802, e.g., on a track,
so that the resistance from the pulley 806 is the direction. Of
course, if desired other implementations and designs may be used
for the resistance device including using a pulley mechanism that
is physically separated from the guide 802.
[0040] Although the present invention is illustrated in connection
with specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the present
invention is not limited thereto. Various adaptations and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, various configurations and dimensions of
the guides may be used in accordance with the present invention.
Moreover, various types of supporting devices may be used to
support the guides in accordance with the present invention.
Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not
be limited to the foregoing description.
* * * * *