EP2142263A1

EP2142263A1 - Sports skills training device

Info

Publication number: EP2142263A1
Application number: EP07858804A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerry Crawford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2010-01-13
Also published as: WO2008075088A1; AU2007336031A1; GB0625617D0; GB2458085B; GB0912562D0; GB2458085A; ZA200906483B; US20100105531A1

Abstract

There is provided a sports skills training device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, in which a first end of the first elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the first elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a first limb of the wearer of the device; a first end of the second elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the second elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a second limb of the wearer of the device; and, the waist belt further includes means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic members. There are further provided uses of the device and methods comprising use of the device.

Description

Sports Skills Training Device

This invention relates to a sports skills training device for use in sports requiring rapid and/or technical and/or powerful arm and/or leg movements and, in particular, relates to improving the speed and/or accuracy of a cricket bowler.

Background of the Invention

In the game of cricket, bowling is the means by which the ball is delivered towards the batsman, with the aim of the bowler being to knock the stumps from the batsman's wicket. The batsman attempts to prevent this by connecting his bat with the ball. Bowling success can be gained by use of speed, spin, swing, or a combination of all three. The skill required to be a successful bowler can take many hours of practice to learn and many years of training to perfect.

Having a fast bowler who can bowl a cricket ball at pace is an essential requirement of any cricket team; only a small percentage of people find it easy or natural, most people having to work very hard at perfecting or at least attaining a good pace and technique as required to cause the maximum difficulty for a batsman and, consequently, to minimise the number of runs made by the batsman.

When learning the bowling technique, some individuals have considerable difficulty in reaching an appropriate level of speed and accuracy. It is in response to such problems that the current invention has been devised.

There are various publications in the area of batting sports, particularly in connection with baseball. For example, US 6,773,366 discloses a device which includes two arm bands connected' by a length of elastic material. One of the arm bands is intended to be worn above the elbow of a baseball player's leading arm, with the other band to be attached to the wrist of the baseball player's rear arm, the object of the device being to improve the swinging motion of a baseball or softball player. There is brief mention of improved hitting accuracy, although there is no information to substantiate this and there is no discussion of how such improved accuracy might be achieved. The device disclosed in US 6,514,163 is also intended to improve a baseball swing by strengthening the leading batting arm. The device includes two arm cuffs attached by an elastic strap, one arm cuff intended to be worn towards the shoulder of the wearer on one arm, with the other cuff to be worn around the wrist of the other arm. The device is intended to prevent the leading arm from extending prematurely during the batting swing, with the additional benefit of building the strength of the triceps in order to promote faster bat speed during the swing. There is no mention of any improvement in batting accuracy as the result of the use of this device.

The device disclosed in US 3,679,214 is a golf training aid designed to restrain the right arm elbow of a golfer during the back swing. The device includes a belt and various straps which are engaged with the wearer's right arm and which restrain that arm close to the body. The straps included in this device are not elastic but, in fact, generate sufficient tension to restrain the wearer's right arm.

US 5,938,548 discloses a device which is another which includes two arm cuffs, to be worn above the elbows of a baseball player. The arm cuffs are attached to one another by a non- elastic connector. The purpose of the device is to restrain relative movement of the arms during the baseball swing in order to ensure that the batter's arms are in the correct relative position in order to generate the best swinging action. There is no mention of improved accuracy as a result of the use of this device.

US 5,704,856 discloses a device including a strap to be worn around a . baseball batter's leading arm, with the other strap to be attached around the user's leg. The two straps are connected to one another by an elastic connection. The device is intended to train a batter to shift his weight from the back leg to the front leg at the correct point during the batting swing, in order to improve power and to avoid "arm-only" swings.

US 5,154,416 relates to a harness which is worn around the shoulders of a user, with a wrist strap being fixed to a baseball batter's rear arm. The strap which connects the arm cuff to the rest of the harness is not elastic and is described as "a restraining member". The device of US 5,114,142 also includes a firm, non-elastic, belt which encircles the chest of a baseball hitter. The intention is to keep the elbow of the forward arm of the baseball player close to the body, in order to promote use of the forearm.

The "Walk-And-Tone" product has been available since approximately 2000 and consists of a belt which is worn around a user's waist. Two lengths of elastic material are each joined at one end to the belt and have handles, at their other ends, which the user can hold. When walking, the user moves the arms in the usual manner, with the resistance generated by the elastic material helping to tone the arms and stomach and to increase the level of cardiovascular effort required to participate in the walking action. '

WO2006/020855 discloses a multi-sport swing training device for teaching and improving hitting and throwing skills and, in particular, golf, tennis and baseball (pitching and batting) skills. The device comprises a harness worn around the waist, a single elongate resilient connector and a bracing strap. A first end of the resilient connector is attached to the harness and a second end of the resilient connector is either detachably. attached to the end of a club/racket or to a detachable cuff arrangement which is worn by the user during pitching. A first end of the bracing strap is attached at a first point on the harness at a first side of the user and a second end of the bracing strap is attached at a second point on the harness at a second side of the user. In use, the bracing strap extends between the first and second points of attachment behind the user along a path immediately underneath the user's buttocks. Thus, there is a risk the bracing strap may slip over the user's buttocks when the user moves his arm so as to extend the resilient connector, particularly if the user bends at the waist whilst performing a vigorous hitting or throwing action. Furthermore, the attachment of the resilient connector to the club/racket will artificially raise the force that must be exerted by the user to grip the club/racket using friction when the user performs the hitting action.

GB451516 discloses an appliance for "boxing and physical culture" which comprises a harness designed to be worn over the shoulders of the user and having a belt which passes around the user's chest. Elastic cords are attached to the harness at points adjacent to the user's armpits and handles are fixed to the distal ends of the elastic cords. In use, a user holds the handles and may practice shadow-boxing for the purposes of deriving "valuable exercise in privacy and without expense". GB451516 does not disclose that the appliance improves co-ordination or boxing skills. Nor is the apparatus of GB451516 likely to exercise or develop the muscles of a user's torso used to perform a twisting action since, during shadow-boxing, the user's arms merely extend from the points of attachment of the elastic cords in a horizontal direction.

DE102004056915 discloses a training kit for golfers. The kit has hand-grips for exercising the arms, shoulder and back of a golfer. Foot straps are used when lower extremities are to be exercised. Various types of accessories are provided for shoulder belts, and tensioning rods of various shapes and lengths are provided to exercise various groups of muscles. The kit is fixed on the body of the golfer using a complex body harness arrangement so that it does not slip during exercise. The kit is designed to be worn for practising the specific rotational motion of the body which occurs when playing golf, with the objective of improving the co-ordination of the relevant muscles. There is no explicit disclosure, however, of the limb or limbs to which the tensioning rods should be attached. In one of the figures a first tensioning rod extends upwards from a first point of attachment at the user's waist and a second tensioning rod extends upwards from a second point of attachment at the user's knee. Both tensioning rods extend from the same side of the user's body, suggesting that they are both attached to the same arm of the user. There is no mention of the kit being suitable for training the user for any sport other than golf.

US5647827 discloses an aerobic exercise device comprising a waist belt having braces attached, and elastic cords which are attached to and extend from positions on the waist belt to hand straps and anklet assemblies which are removably attached to the user. The device is designed to improve "cardiovascular fitness, fat reduction, and muscle toning at a faster rate of time through a controlled rate of use while the user is walking , running or doing stationary aerobic exercises". Use of the exercise device to improve co-ordination or develop specific sports-related skills is not disclosed.

US2097376 discloses an exerciser comprising waist and chest belts having braces attached, elastic cords which are attached to and extend from positions on the waist belt to points of attachment on specially adapted boots, and elastic cords which are attached to and extend from positions on the chest belt to handles which, in use, are held by the user. A specific object of the exerciser is the vigorous exercising of the arms and legs of the user for the purposes of body-building. Use of the exerciser to improve co-ordination or specific sports-related skills is not disclosed.

GB 1146608 discloses an article of wear for applying stress on the wearer primarily along the longitudinal axis of the body for simulation of gravitational forces to combat muscle wastage that occurs in low gravity environments. The device comprises a harness comprising a waist belt having braces and leg loops attached to prevent slippage of the waist belt in use. Elastic cords are attached to the waist belt and to shoulder pads which pass over the wearer's shoulders so as to apply a compressive force to the wearer's torso. In addition, further elastic cords are attached to the harness at points near the top of the wearer's legs and are attached to the wearer's feet so that the wearer's legs are also subjected to a compressive force. Use of the article of wear to improve co-ordination or specific sports-related skills is not disclosed.

There is no disclosure in the prior art of a device suitable for the training of a sportsman's muscles to improve, for example, cricket bowling speed and accuracy. Therefore, there is a need, as outlined above, to develop a means to assist with learning the technical art of bowling for the improvement of a bowler's speed and accuracy. The development of such an ability in a bowler has previously only been achieved by use of the coach's experience and skills and hours of constant practice. The inventor has now developed a device which can assist with this and cut down this time dramatically.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sports skills training device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, in which a first end of the first elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the first elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a first limb of the wearer of the device; a first end of the second elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the second elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a second limb of the wearer of the device; and the waist belt further includes means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic members.

When the device according to the invention is in use, the waist belt is positioned around the waist of the. user the first elastic member is removably engaged with, for example, a first wrist of a user and the second elastic member is removably engaged with, for example, a second wrist of the user. Advantageously, the means to restrain the waist belt maintains the waist belt in the correct position around the user's waist when the user's arm or arms are extended with the elastic member or members attached. The device can be used to train participants of several sports, for example, cricket, where the device can be used to promote the correct bowling action. Surprisingly, use of the device promotes not only bowling speed, but also accuracy of delivery, as specifically exemplified below. The training action of the device relies, in particular, on providing information to the muscles to promote a specific action or movement which may, for example, be associated with a particular sport. The strengths and/or lengths of the elastic members are chosen so that the information provided to the muscles is subsequently retained even after removal of the device. The device therefore serves as an aid for the development of muscle memory so that the user may perform a correct, optimum or enhanced movement. The inclusion of the means to restrain the belt ensures that the full benefit of the movement of the arm or arms against the resistance provided by the elastic member or members is gained, as the result of the waist belt being maintained in the correct position around the waist of the user.

Preferably, the means to restrain the waist belt comprises a loop through which, in use, the user's leg passes. The loop may, for example, comprise a strap which is wrapped round the user's leg. More preferably, there are at least two such means to restrain the waist belt which together form a harness similar to that used during rock climbing. This arrangement ensures that the waist belt is maintained in the correct position around the body of the user in the presence of upward tension from one or both of the elastic members being pulled upwards. The skilled person will be able, without inventive skill, to devise alternative means of maintaining the waist belt in the correct position.

Preferably, the first and second elastic members comprise an elastic element such as, for example, a rope, strap or length of tubing, which may be formed from any suitable elastic material such as rubber or another suitable polymeric material, optionally in combination with non-elastic connection elements. The skilled person will be aware of alternative configurations and/or materials which may provide the required properties. For example, the elastic members need not be of unitary construction, but may be formed as a chain of smaller elements. The first and second elastic members may be of substantially equal elastic strength, or may have different elastic strengths.

In a preferred embodiment, each elastic member is removably attached to the waist belt, for example, by means of a hook, a clip or a D-ring. Advantageously, this allows elastic members having differing elastic strengths or lengths to be attached to the waist belt according to the requirements of the specific user and/or the specific sport for which the user is training.

In a more preferred embodiment, the waist belt is provided with several attachment points such that the position of attachment to the waist belt of each of the first and second elastic members may be varied according to the requirements of the specific user and/or specific sport.

Alternatively, the first and second elastic members may be attached to the waist belt via a further joining member. Preferably the joining member is non-elastic. In this embodiment, a first end of the joining member is attached to the belt and a second end of the joining member is attached to at least the first elastic member, each of the first and second elastic members comprising engagement means for removably engaging with a limb of a wearer of the device. Preferably, the second end of the joining member is attached to the first and second elastic members. Such an embodiment may be useful when intended for use by, for example, a golfer, where the elastic members must be positioned such that they do not interfere with the swing of the golf club.

The engagement means of the first and second elastic members, for removably engaging with a limb of a wearer of the device, preferably takes the form of a cuff formed from a non-elastic material such as leather, or cotton or synthetic webbing. The means of removable engagement may take the form of, for example, a buckle or a proprietary connecting material such as Velcro^®. Most preferably, the cuff is suitable in size and configuration for positioning securely around a wearer's wrist, ankle or foot. The engagement means may be attached to the elastic member in a removable manner, for example, by means of a ring-and-clip system. This advantageously allows different cuffs to be attached to the elastic member depending on whether the member is to be engaged with a wrist, ankle or foot and according to the age and/or size of the user.

Preferably, the belt of the device is formed from a non-elastic material, such as cotton or synthetic webbing. The belt may be positioned around the body of a user and secured by any conventional means, such as by use of a buckle or a proprietary connecting material such as Velcro^®. In addition, each means to restrain the belt is preferably similarly formed from a non-elastic material and may be detachable from the belt or adjustable in length, to allow alteration of the device according to the size of the user.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention to increase bowling speed and/or accuracy of a cricket bowler. When the device is in use in this way, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a first, leading, arm of the bowler and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a second, bowling, arm of the bowler (i.e., the arm which holds the ball).

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing bowling speed and/or accuracy of a cricket bowler, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to the first aspect of the invention around a user's waist and removably engaging the first elastic member with a first arm of the user, and the second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the bowling action.

Advantageously, the use according to the second aspect of the invention and the method according to the third aspect of the invention promotes the straight line downward movement of the bowler's leading arm, which then assists with promoting movement of the bowling arm through the correct arc, resulting in improved speed of bowling. This is specifically exemplified below. In addition and surprisingly, this also improves the accuracy of the delivery of the ball by the bowler. Furthermore, it has been found that the elastic members should have an optimum strength for the promotion of the correct bowling technique for maximum bowling speed and/or accuracy. In particular, the strength of the elastic members is chosen to develop muscle memory so that the correct bowling technique is retained even after the user removes the device. If the elastic members are too strong, for example, although muscular development is increased, this is only achieved at the expense of reduced bowling speed and/or accuracy. The device may be used as a teaching aid during coaching or to allow a bowler to improve their skills when a coach is not present. It has been found that the time taken to learn the art of bowling is greatly reduced by wearing this device. In particular, the time taken to learn the art of bowling is greatly reduced for beginners having an age in the range of 7 - 15 years.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention to increase pitching speed and/or accuracy of a baseball or softball pitcher. When the device is used in this way, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a first arm or leg of the pitcher and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a second arm of the pitcher. Preferably, the first elastic member is removably engaged with the front, leading, leg of the pitcher (i.e., the leg positioned closest to the batter) and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a pitching arm of the pitcher (i.e., the arm which holds the ball)..

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing pitching speed and/or accuracy of a baseball pitcher, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to the first aspect of the invention around a user's waist, removably engaging the first elastic member with a first arm or a leg of the user and removably engaging the second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the pitching action. Preferably, the first elastic member is engaged with a leg of the user and the method further comprises removably engaging the second elastic member with an arm of the user.

Advantageously, the use according to the fourth aspect of the invention and the method according to the fifth aspect of the invention promotes the power and forward movement of the pitcher's leading arm, as well as promoting correct coordination of the motion of the leading leg with the motion of the pitching arm. This results in improved speed of pitching. In addition and surprisingly, this also improves the accuracy of the delivery of the ball by the pitcher.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention to increase club swing speed and/or driving accuracy of a golfer. When' the device is used in this way, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a first arm or a leg of the golfer and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a second arm of the golfer. Preferably, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a front leg of the golfer (i.e., the leg positioned in the direction in which the ball is to travel) and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a leading arm of the golfer (i.e., the arm positioned in the direction in which the ball is to travel)..

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing club swing speed and/or driving accuracy of a golfer, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to the first aspect of the invention around a user's waist, removably engaging a first elastic member with a first arm or a leg of the user and removably engaging a second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the golf club swing action. Preferably, the first elastic member is engaged with a leg of the user and the method further comprises removably engaging a second elastic member with an arm of the user.

Advantageously, the use according to the sixth aspect of the invention and the method according to the seventh aspect of the invention serves to strengthen the leading arm of the golfer and to train it to move through the correct arc. A further advantage associated with the device is an improved line of travel of the ball and, in particular, a reduction in the chance that the golfer will hook or slice a shot. In addition, the distance over which the ball travels is increased.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention to increase arm return speed in boxing. When the device is used in this way, the first elastic member is removably engaged with a first arm of the boxer and the second elastic member is removably engaged with a second arm of the boxer. According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing arm return speed of a boxer, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to the first aspect of the invention around a user's waist and removably engaging a first elastic member with an arm of the user and removably engaging a second elastic member with another arm of the user, the user then performing an arm extension action..

Advantageously, the use according to the eighth aspect of the invention and the method according to the ninth aspect of the invention promotes increased speed of movement of the boxer's arm back towards the body after it has been extended in a punch. This improves the boxer's defences and, in addition, by increasing the return speed of the arm, allows the boxer to extend the arms from the body more times in any given period, increasing the frequency of hits on the . target and, therefore, increasing the number of points which may be scored.

In all of the uses and methods according to the second to ninth aspects of the invention, the described benefits and advantages are retained by the sportsman using the device according to the first aspect of the invention, even when the particular sports movement of interest is carried out in the absence of the device. These uses of the device and these methods train the brain and body to co-ordinate, promoting muscle memory so as to permanently increase speed and/or improve accuracy of the movement. Furthermore, use of the deviqe promotes the learning process in each case and can accelerate the improvement of speed and/or accuracy of the movement.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures 1-4 in which:

Figures IA and IB show a device according to the invention for use with, for example, a cricket bowler or a boxer;

Figure 2A is a diagram of a cricket bowler in action whilst wearing the device according to Figure 1; Figure 2B is a diagram of a boxer in action whilst wearing the device according to Figure l;

Figure 3 shows a device according to the invention for use with, for example, a golf player; and

Figure 4 is a diagram of a golf player in action whilst wearing the device according to Figure 3.

Example 1: cricket training device

Figure IA shows a device generally indicated as 1, comprising a belt 5 to which elastic arm straps 10a, 10b are attached by one end at a fixing point 15. The belt 5 comprises an adjustment means in the form of a belt buckle for altering the length of the belt. Ideally, the length of the belt should be adjusted using the belt buckle so as to provide a comfortable fit around the waist of the wearer which is sufficiently tight so as to prevent slippage of the belt over the wearer's hips. The belt may further comprise padding so as to provide additional comfort for the wearer. A D-ring (not shown) is attached to the belt at the fixing point 15 by stitching and the elastic arm straps 10a, 10b may be tied to a hook and clip arrangement which detachably engages the D-ring. The D-ring may be directly stitched to the belt. Alternatively, a retaining strap may pass through the D-ring and either end of the retaining strap is stitched to the belt so as to retain the D-ring at the fixing point 15. At the other end of each strap 10a, 10b are wrist cuffs 20a, 20b. Each wrist cuff 20a, 20b comprises a further D-ring (not shown) which is attached to the wrist cuff by stitching and the corresponding elastic arm strap 10a, 10b is tied to the corresponding further D-ring. Each wrist cuff 20a, 20b is formed from a length of non-elastic synthetic webbing. Each wrist cuff 20a, 20b further comprises a means of removable engagement with a wearer's wrist in the form of a Velcro^® strap which lies along and is stitched to the synthetic webbing at positions towards either end of the synthetic webbing. In use, the synthetic webbing is disposed towards and wrapped around the wearer's wrist and the Velcro^® strap is disposed outwardly from the wearer's wrist. The Velcro^® strap passes through the further D-ring so that the further D-ring is free to slide along the length of the synthetic webbing between the stitching which attaches the Velcro^® strap to the synthetic webbing. Each wrist cuff further comprises an end buckle which is stitched to a first end of the Velcro^® strap and is arranged to co-operate with a second end of the Velcro^® strap so as to removably engage the wrist cuff 20a, 20b with the wearer's wrist. The device 1 further comprises leg straps 25a, 25b which are attached to the belt. Each leg strap 25a, 25b also comprises an adjustment means (not shown) in the form of a leg strap buckle for altering the length of the leg strap to ensure a comfortable secure fit to a leg of the wearer.

Each elastic arm strap 10a, 10b has an optimum elastic strength to convey information to the muscles such that the muscles become trained to cause the arm to follow the correct path to improve bowling technique for maximum bowling speed and/or accuracy without the user being particularly aware of muscular constraints imposed by the apparatus. If an elastic arm strap is too strong, for example, although muscular development is increased and/or aerobic fitness may be improved, this is only achieved at the expense of reduced bowling speed and/or accuracy. The best bowling speed and/or accuracy has been demonstrated with elastic arm straps 10a, 10b formed from natural rubber latex tubing having an internal diameter of 4.5mm and a wall thickness of 1.2mm. Such tubing has an elastic limit which is approximately three to three and a half times its natural unstretched length. The optimum length of each elastic arm strap 10a, 10b for optimum bowling performance depends on the particular stature of the bowler but is generally selected so that when the arm of the wearer to which the elastic arm strap 10a, 10b is attached at the wrist is fully extended directly above the wearer's head, the elastic arm strap 10a, 10b is extended under tension to approximately one and a half times its natural length. Typically the elastic arm straps 10a, 10b have a natural length of between approximately 200mm and 400mm depending on the age and/or stature of the bowler.

Figure IB shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1, having several fixing points 15a, 15b, 15c at which the arm straps 10a, 10b may be attached to the belt 5. In the arrangement shown in the Figure, arm strap 10a is attached to the belt 5 at side fixing point 15a, with the other arm strap 10b being attached to the belt 5 at central fixing point 15c. Fixing point 15b is not in use in the illustrated arrangement. The arm straps 10a, 10b are removably attached to the belt 5 by means of hooks, not illustrated in Figure IB.

Figure 2A shows the device, arranged as illustrated in Figure IB, in use with a right- handed bowler. The belt 5 is positioned around the waist of a cricket bowler. Arm strap 10a is attached to the belt 5 at side fixing point 15a and is attached to the bowler's leading arm 35 by means of wrist cuff 20a. Similarly, arm strap 10b is attached to the belt at central fixing point 15c and is attached to the bowler's bowling arm 40 by means of wrist cuff 20b.

As the bowler moves through the bowling action, leading arm 35 is first raised above the head whilst bowling arm 40, holding the ball 45, moves behind the body and is gradually straightened. The resistance provided by the elastic arm strap 10a as the leading arm is raised and straightened helps to increase the downwards speed and power of the leading arm 35 as the bowler reaches the point of bowling the ball 45. This helps to increase the speed of rotation of the torso, assisting with the follow-on speed and power of bowling arm 45 as it moves through, above the head, just before the ball 45 is released. In addition, the resistance provided by elastic arm strap 10b as the bowling arm is raised and straightened helps to increase the speed and power of the bowling arm. The leg straps 25a, 25b form, a harness around the upper legs and buttocks of the bowler, in an arrangement similar to a climbing harness, holding the belt 5 in the correct position even when the arms are raised above the head, ensuring that the full resistance provided by the arm straps 10a, 10b is felt by the bowler and is not lost as the result of upwards movement of the belt 5 under tension in arm straps 10a, 10b.

The arrangement described above promotes the straight line downward movement of the leading arm 35 which then assists with promoting movement of the bowling arm through the correct arc, resulting in improved accuracy of bowling. This is included in the benefits of using the device which are exemplified below.

Use of device with novice bowler

A novice bowler with no bowling experience had an initial success rate of bowling a straight delivery of 17%. Once wearing the device described above, this rate immediately improved to 67%. Such an improvement was observed when the device was worn for periods of only 10 - 15 minutes. In addition, it was found that prolonged use of the device increased his success rate even once the device was subsequently removed, as the result of the training of the brain and the muscles used in bowling by use of the device. In the case of novice bowlers, for example, it has been demonstrated that a bowling accuracy of 50% persists after removal of the device. Use of device with County level cricket player

Bowlers, playing at English county level and having several years of experience, also used the device during bowling practice. It was found that the result of working the leading arm against the tension provided by the arm straps was that downward movement of the leading arm was faster than it was prior to the use of the device. This created a faster rotation of the torso and follow-through with the bowling arm, with the result that the ball was bowled at a faster pace. Again, this improvement was retained after a period of using the device, even when the device was subsequently removed.

Example 2: boxing training device

The device illustrated in Figures IA and IB can also be used to improve the performance of a boxer, as shown in Figure 2B. The arm straps 10a, 10b are attached to the belt 5 at the central fixing point 15b and the wrist cuffs 20a, 20b attached to the wrists. The leg straps 25a, 25b form a harness around the upper legs and buttocks of the boxer, in an arrangement similar to a climbing harness, holding the belt 5 in the correct position. As the boxer extends an arm away from the body in a punch, the resistance generated by the arm straps promotes increased speed of movement of the arm back towards the body. This improves the boxer's defences and, in addition, by increasing the return speed of the arm, allows the boxer to extend the arms from the body more times in any given period, increasing the frequency of hits on the target and, therefore, increasing the number of points scored. In addition, working against the resistance provided by the elastic arm straps increases the strength and power of the boxer, enabling him to exert more force when striking. This increased striking force results in harder hitting power impact on the opponent.

The skilled person will understand that the arm straps 10a, 10b can also be attached to the belt 5 at the side fixing points 15a, 15b, depending on which skills and muscle groups are to be worked on.

Example 3: golf training device

A device according to the invention also has utility during training for sports other than cricket. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the device configured for use by a golf player. The device, generally indicated as 50, comprises a belt 55 to which a short joining strap 60, being elastic in this embodiment, is attached by one end at a fixing point 65. At the other end of the joining strap 60 is a ring 70 which is further joined to elastic leg strap 75 and elastic arm strap 80. At the other end of arm strap 80 is wrist cuff 90 and at the other end of leg strap 75 is foot cuff 85. The device 50 further comprises leg straps which are attached to the belt but which, for the sake of clarity, are not illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows the device, arranged as illustrated in Figure 3, in use with a right-handed golfer. The belt 55 is position around the waist of a golfer. Joining strap 60 is attached to the belt 55 at fixing point 65 and is further attached to leg strap 75 and arm strap 80 via the ring 70. The leg strap 75 is attached to the golfer's front foot 95 by means of foot cuff 85. Similarly, arm strap 80 is attached to the golfer's leading arm 100 by means of wrist cuff 90.

As the golfer moves through the golf swing action, he holds the golf club 105 and raises the arms, including leading arm 100, to swing the golf club 105 behind the body. The resistance provided by the elastic arm strap 80 as the leading arm is raised and straightened helps to increase the downwards speed and power of the leading arm 100 as the golfer swings through to engage the golf club 105 with the ball (not illustrated). This helps to increase the speed of rotation of the torso, assisting with the follow-on speed and power of the golf club 105 as it swings through and connects with the ball. In addition, the engagement of the front foot 95 with the leg strap 75 via foot cuff 85 helps the golfer to maintain the correct line of swing relative to the body and the ball. Leg straps 110 form a harness around the upper legs and buttocks of the golfer, in an arrangement similar to a climbing, harness, holding the belt 55 in the correct position even when the arms are raised above the head, ensuring that the full resistance provided by the arm strap 80 and leg strap 75 is felt by the golfer and is not lost as the result of unwanted movement of the belt 55.

Typically, the leading arm of a golfer is the weaker and less co-ordinated of the two arms. For example, an individual who is right-handed will play golf with the left arm leading and vice versa. The use of the device described above serves to strengthen the leading arm and to guide it through the correct arc. The brain and body co-ordinate to gradually learn the feeling of the correct arc and this can eventually be recreated without the use of the device. This, in turn, greatly reduces the chances of hooking or slicing a shot. The golfing device can also be used, for example, to improve the skills of both pitching and batting in the games of baseball and softball. Both skills require coordination of the front leg and a follow through with one or both arms, as well as a twist of the torso to gain speed. The skilled person, from the above disclosure, would readily understand how to adapt the use of the device to improve these skills and other suitable skills for sports requiring powerful coordination of two or more limbs (for example, but not limited to, cricket batting, hockey, racket sports such as tennis, badminton and squash, table tennis, swimming, rounders, canoeing/kayaking, rowing, martial arts such as karate, lacrosse, netball, basketball, rugby and field sports such as javelin and triple jump). In addition, it should be understood that the device may be used when actually participating in a sport (i.e. "in-situ") or when merely practising a sport. A golfer, for example, may use the device when actually.playing golf or merely practising his golf swing. Similarly, a canoeist may wear the device to promote the desired stroke action when actually paddling on water or when merely practising his stroke action on dry land.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described above, all utilising two elastic members.. The skilled person will, however, understand that more than two straps may be used. Such variations are intended to be encompassed by the current application. In addition, the elastic straps may be provided in several different lengths or elastic strengths which may be identified by, for example, different colours for different strengths of elastic. This allows the user to readily alter the lengths or elastic strengths of the strap(s) as the user's skill and strength levels increase through using the device. In addition, this enables the optimum length or strength of the elastic straps to be selected according to the stature of the user and/or the specific sport for which the user is training so as to promote the correct movement and the development of the associated muscle memory.

Claims

1. A sports skills training device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, in which a first end of the first elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the first elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a first limb of the wearer of the device; a first end of the second elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the second elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a second limb of the wearer of the device; and the waist belt further includes means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic members.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the waist belt is formed from a non-elastic material.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each means to restrain the waist belt is formed from a non-elastic material.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein each means to restrain the waist belt comprises a loop through which, in use, a leg of the wearer passes.

5. A device according to any preceding claim in which the first end of the first elastic member and the first end of the second elastic member are attached directly to the waist belt.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a joining member wherein a first end of the joining member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the joining member is attached to the first and/or second elastic member.

7. Use of a device according to any preceding claim to increase speed and/or accuracy of a movement associated with a specific sport.

8. Use of a device according to claim 7 to increase bowling speed and/or accuracy of a cricket bowler.

9. Use of a device according to claim 7 to increase speed and/or accuracy of a baseball or softball pitcher.

10. Use of a device according to claim 7 to increase club swing speed and/or accuracy of a golfer.

11. Use of a device according to claim 7 to increase arm return speed of a boxer.

12. Method of increasing speed and/or accuracy of a movement associated with a specific sport, the method comprising positioning the waist belt of a device according to any of claims 1 to 6 around a user's waist and removably engaging the first elastic member with a first limb of the user and the second elastic member with a second limb of the user, the user then performing the movement.

13. Method according to claim 12 for increasing bowling speed and/or accuracy of a cricket bowler, the method comprising removably engaging the first elastic member with a first arm of the user and the second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the bowling action.

14. Method according to claim 12 for increasing pitching speed and/or accuracy of a baseball or softball pitcher, the method comprising removably engaging the first elastic member with a first arm or a leg of the user and the second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the pitching action.

15. Method according to claim 12 for increasing club swing speed and/or accuracy of a golfer, the method comprising removably engaging the first elastic member with a first arm or a leg of the user and the second elastic member with a second arm of the user, the user then performing the club swing action.

16. Method according to claim 12 for increasing arm return speed of a boxer, the method comprising removably engaging the first elastic member with a first arm of the user and the second elastic member with the second arm of the user, the user then performing a punching action.

17. Device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings 1 or 3.

18. Use substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings 2 or 4.

19. Method substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings 2 or 4.