GB2421447A

GB2421447A - A ball training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2421447A
Application number: GB0523630A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin John Ogilvie Smith
Original assignee: LEDGENDS Ltd
Current assignee: LEDGENDS Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-19
Filing date: 2005-11-21
Publication date: 2006-06-28
Also published as: GB0523630D0; GB0425482D0

Abstract

A training aid for improving ball skills, comprises a board (1) having a profiled surface (2) to provide deflection of an impacting ball. The training aid may be used for cricket catching practice or in field hockey for practicing ball control. Preferably the aid may be interlocked with another framing aid and formed from fibreglass reinforced injection moulded plastics. Optionally the aid may include a handle.

Description

1 2421447 I Training Aid 3 The present invention relates to training aids

for 4 improving ball skills, and in particular to training aids * * : for improving catching skills in the game of cricket and

6 ball control in field hockey. :. 7 a

8 During a game of cricket, there is a batting team and a S...

9 fielding team. The batting team defends their wicket by hitting a cricket ball into the outfield. One object for 11 the fielding team is to restrict the distribution of the 12 ball into the outfield by placing fielding players in 13 strategic positions. Another object for the fielding 14 team is to catch a ball dispatched through the air by the batting team before it hits the ground.

17 Success in a game of cricket depends on good fielding and 18 catching by the fielding team. The individual fielding 19 skills of the players need to be good for the team to be competitive. Typically, fielding players will encounter 21 balls arriving at them from the bat of the batsmen in the 22 batting team either via the ground or directly through 23 the air, or similarly through the air or via the ground 24 from other fielding players. In general, the ball will 1 have different amounts of spin and may bounce from the 2 ground at unexpected angles. A high level of competence 3 is required by fielding players to handle the ball 4 effectively, which relies on practising relevant skills S in training prior to competing in matches. it is 6 generally undesirable to rely solely on match practice to 7 acquire the necessary skills.

9 In field hockey matches, it is similarly important for team players to have a high standard of ball control.

11 During such matches, the ball is passed between players, 12 often tossed up in the air, and is often deflected before S...

13 a player can damp and gain control of the ball. These I..

14 skills need to be honed in training before entering into a match.

17 There is, therefore, a need for efficiently practising: 18 skills for improving reactions, ball skills and ball.... *5*

19 control (e.g., catching in cricket or controlling the.....

ball in field hockey) in a manner that resembles match 21 situations closely.

23 Training aids may be employed to help replicate match 24 situations and scenarios. The main known cricket fielding aid is the "slip cradle", which is designed to 26 automatically fire a cricket ball towards a player for 27 catching. This device has limitations. For example, the 28 device is limited to trajectories replicating the ball 29 coming directly off a bat through the air. Furthermore, the device is not specifically designed for dealing with 31 trajectories where changes in direction are encountered 32 from interaction of the ball with the ground, which may 33 cause different types of spin being imparted on the ball.

I Other known training methods in both cricket and hockey 2 are exercises where a ball is launched by a person 3 against the ground or other substantially uniform surface 4 for subsequent controlling via catching or controlling.

However, such a method is of limited use because it is 6 difficult to consistently produce useful deflection of a 7 ball from its impact with the ground itself.

9 It is an aim of the present invention to provide a training aid and method that obviates or at least 11 mitigates shortcomings and helps to overcome limitations 12 of existing training aids and methods. * *

14 It is another aim of the invention to provide a training * : aid that provides changes in ball direction, together 16 with irregular trajectories. :.

18 Other aims and objects of the invention will become... ***.

19 apparent from reading the following description.

21 According to a first aspect of the invention, there is 22 provided a training aid for improving ball skills 23 comprising a board having a profiled surface to provide 24 deflection of an impacting ball.

26 Preferably, the training aid is located on the ground for 27 operation. More preferably, in use, an upper surface of 28 the board is inclined relative to the ground.

29 Alternatively, the top surface of the training aid is inclined relative to the ground.

32 The profiled surface may define a top surface of the 33 training aid. Preferably, the profiled surface is the 34 upper surface of the board.

2 Preferably, the profiled surface comprises distributed 3 raised portions. More preferably, the profiled surface 4 comprises distributed ridges. The raised portions may be S ridges being separated from each other by ridge spaces.

7 Preferably, the ridges are parallel. Alternatively, the 8 ridges diverge from a first end to a second end of the 9 surface.

11 The ridges may be gently curved ridges arranged in a fan 12 formation on the top surface of the board. The ridges S..

13 may be gently curved ridges arranged in an asymmetric fan S...

14 formation having ridge curvature in a dominant * . : orientation. The ridges may be rectilinear ridges having 16 their longitudinal axes oriented parallel to each other.

17 The ridges may rectilinear ridges arranged in a fan 18 formation. .... S. S

Optionally, the ridges have different heights. The 21 different height ridges may be arranged to form a 22 plurality of gradients each comprising monotonically 23 increasing ridge heights. Alternatively, the different 24 height ridges may be arranged to form a gradient comprising monotonically increasing ridge heights.

27 Preferably, the training aid is provided with an 28 attaching mechanism for attaching to a receiving 29 mechanism of another training aid. Preferably, the attaching mechanism comprises a protruding member formed 31 to interlock with a complimentary receiving member of the 32 second training aid.

I The attaching mechanism may comprise a hook mounted to 2 the first training aid for cooperating with a 3 corresponding hook of the receiving mechanism of the 4 second training aid. Alternatively, the attaching mechanism comprises a groove in a first attaching surface 6 of the first training aid for engaging with a protruding 7 member of the receiving mechanism on a second attaching 8 surface of the second training aid. Preferably, the 9 first attaching surface and the second attaching surface are formed to fit closely together once attached. The 11 first and second attaching surfaces may be concave and 12 convex surfaces.

1') S * S...

14 The training aid may be provided with at least one * attaching mechanism and at least one receiving mechanism 16 allowing attachment to other identical training aids. 17: .

18 Preferably, the training aid includes a receiving S...

19 mechanism. Preferably, the receiving mechanism includes a receiving member formed to interlock with a 21 complimentary protruding member of a second training aid.

23 Preferably, the training aid comprises reinforcing 24 members to assist the training aid in withstanding an impact force of a ball. The strength members may support 26 a bottom surface of the board. The strength members may 27 form a lattice structure.

29 Preferably, the training aid includes a handle for carrying the training aid.

32 Preferably, the training aid is formed by injection 33 moulding. The training aid may be moulded from plastic.

I The training may be moulded from a polycarbonate 2 material. The polycarbonate material may have a 3 fibreglass filling. The training aid may be formed from 4 polycarbonate material reinforced with fibreglass.

6 A support member may be attached to the training aid 7 providing an angled incline for the top surface. The 8 support member may be adjustably mounted to the board 9 allowing the incline angle of the top surface to be changed. Preferably, the training aid comprises an 11 adjustable support member for adjusting the inclination 12 of the profiled surface. Pb.. * P

* .*..

14 Preferably, the training aid includes an attachment means * for locating an auxiliary handling aid. Preferably, the 16 attachment means is a bore provided in the training aid.

17 The auxiliary handling aid may be a cricket stump, or may 18 be a handle. .I. * * *

According to a second aspect of the invention there is 21 provided a method of improving ball skills comprising the 22 steps of locating, in a target area, a training aid 23 according to the first aspect of the invention, launching 24 a bali. such that the ball interacts with the target area, and bringing the ball under control.

27 Preferably, the method includes the step of locating a 28 plurality of training aids in the target area.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is 31 provided a method of using a training aid for improving 32 ball skills comprising the steps of providing the 33 training aid according to the first aspect of the 34 invention, placing the training aid on the ground, 1 launching a ball at a top surface of the training aid, 2 wherein the ball makes impact with the training aid and 3 deflects away for retrieval.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is 6 provided a method of using a training aid for improving 7 ball skills comprising the steps of providing the 8 training aid of the first aspect of the invention, 9 placing the training aid on the ground, throwing a cricket ball at the top surface of the training aid, 11 wherein the ball makes impact with the training aid and 12 deflects away for retrieval. S... * ,.

14 According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is * : provided a training aid for improving ball skills 16 comprising a board having a profiled surface to provide: 17 deflection of an impacting ball.

1Q S*S S * S..

19 There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention with reference to the 21 following drawings, of which: 23 Figure 1A is an overhead view of a training aid for 24 improving ball skills in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 27 Figure lB is a side view of the training aid in 28 accordance with the embodiment of Figure lA; Figure lC is a sectional view of the training aid in 31 accordance with the embodiment of Figure lA; Figure 2A is a sectional view of a ridge 2 configuration in accordance with an embodiment of 3 the invention; Figure 2B is a sectional view of a ridge 6 configuration in accordance with an alternative 7 embodiment of the invention; 9 Figure 20 is a sectional view of an attaching and receiving mechanism in accordance with an embodiment 11 of the invention; 13 Figure 2D is a sectional view of an alternative 14 attaching and receiving mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; * SS * 17 Figure 3A is an overhead view of a semi-linear 18 symmetric fan ridge arrangement in accordance with 19 an embodiment of the invention; S...

21 Figure lB is an overhead view of a semi-linear 22 asymmetric fan ridge arrangement in accordance with 23 an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 30 is an overhead view of a symmetric fan 26 ridge arrangement in accordance with an alternative 27 embodiment of the invention 29 Figure 4A is side view of a moulded training aid according to an embodiment of the invention; and 32 Figure 4B is a plan view of the underside of the 33 moulded training aid of Figure 4A.

I With reference firstly to Figures lA, lB and lC, there is 2 depicted a training aid for improving ball skills at 1.

3 A board 2 has a profiled surface, which in this example 4 comprises ridges 3, which are raised from the board and distributed with their longitudinal axes along the length 6 of the board 2 in a parallel fashion. The spacing 7 between the ridges 3 is designed to help impart a 8 deflecting force upon impact with a cricket ball 5. The 9 board 2 is located on the ground 9 with the ridges 3 facing upwards.

12 Toward one end of the board 2, there is mounted a support 13 member 7, which props up a far end of the board 2 and 14 provides an incline angle of around 50 relative to the ground 9. Typically, an incline angle of 2_l00 is 16 appropriate. The ridges 3 are formed with rounded top 17 edges providing an extensive ridge surface that can 18 engage with and impart force to the ball 5 upon impact.

In use, the ball 5 is launched from a near end towards S...

21 the board 2 where it makes impact with the ridges 3 and a...

22 is deflected away toward the far end, after which it may 23 be caught or retrieved. Typically, the ball 5 will be 24 thrown by a first person and retrieved by a second person. The trajectory of the ball 5 resembles an 26 adverse or irregular trajectory from a bat, hockey stick 27 or the ground, which may be encountered during a cricket 28 or hockey match. Each time a ball is dispatched making 29 contact with the board 2, the ridges 3 will deflect the ball with a deflecting angle according to the incoming 31 direction of the ball 5. In general, this deflection 32 angle will be different each time a ball is thrown. This 33 provides a facility for practice-by-repetition of 34 reaction skills and general ball skills, such as catching I or damping a ball as needed f or handling various 2 situations during cricket or hockey matches.

4 Figures 2A and 2B depict alternative embodiments where the training aid has different ridge arrangements from 6 the above-described embodiment. With reference to Figure 7 2A, the ridge arrangement depicted at 21 comprises a 8 number of protruding ridges 23 with different heights.

9 The ridges 23 are arranged such that adjacent ridges have heights that increase progressively from the lowest ridge II 25 to a highest ridge 27 over the board width. The 12 ridges 23 are arranged such that they form a gradient of 13 monotonically increasing ridge heights. Alternatively, 14 depicted in Figure 2B at 31, ridges 33 have different heights arranged such that two gradients of increasing 16 ridge heights are formed around a central ridge 35.

18 The arrangement of ridges of different heights into 19 gradients provides for a greater portion of the ridge surfaces to engage with a ball on impact with the board 2 21 of the training aid. In turn, this allows the ball to 22 deflect from the board over a greater range of deflection 23 angles. By incorporating such ridge arrangements, the 24 training aid can be used for more extensive practice of skills.

27 In Figure 2C, an attachment and receiving mechanism is 28 depicted at 81, for attaching two profiled boards 29 together. In this example, the attachment is by means of a hook 83 of a first board 4 that fastens to a 31 corresponding hook 85 of a second board 6. The boards 4 32 and 6 are each profiled with ridges 87 and 89 having 33 heights arranged on each board in a single gradient of 34 increasing height.

2 Another example of an attachment and receiving mechanism 3 is generally shown at 91 in Figure 2D, where the 4 attachment mechanism comprises a protruding member 93 (or male member) protruding from the side of the board 4 and 6 the receiving mechanism is a receiving portion 95 formed 7 in the board 6. The arrangement 91 shows the boards 4 8 and 6 locked together in a joined configuration.

9 It will be appreciated that boards could be attached together in other configurations e.g. end on rather than 11 side on, by providing the attachment mechanism in other 12 locations on the board.

14 In general, each board is outfitted with both a receiving and an attaching mechanism. Other attachment means could 16 be envisaged for joining training aids together.

* ** * 17 * : 18 In practice, a number of boards may be located in a 19 target area. A ball may then be launched into the target area using for example a ball throwing machine or bowling **** 21 machine, and team players can get set to attempt to 22 control or catch the ball having interacted with the 23 target zone. The ball may have interacted with the 24 boards located in various orientations on the ground or held by a person at a height, or may have missed the 26 boards altogether and interacted with the ground.

28 Such methods may be used for field hockey goalkeepjng 29 practice or simply for practicing general ball control of the players.

32 Joining the training aids provides an extended area for 33 engaging with the ball. The joined board is an easier 34 target for the thrower of the ball facilitating practice.

I Another advantage is that different profiled boards 2 Positioned adjacent to each other can deflect the ball 3 differently, for example by aligning boards having 4 different ridge arrangements appropriately.

6 In one embodiment training aids are arranged in a target 7 area with opposed board inclines, such that by launching 8 the ball into the area toward the boards, the deflected 9 trajectory may be relatively flat or steep depending on, for example, which boards are hit, whether the boards are 11 hit at all, the specific part of the boards that hit by 12 the ball, and the incident angle of the ball. This 13 Provides players with a large range of possible 14 deflections for practicing ball skills. S..

16 Figures 3A, 33 and 3C depict alternative spatial 17 arrangements of ridge profiles of the training aid board. , : 18 The ridge arrangement depicted at 41 of Figure 3A is a 19 semi-linear Symmetrical fan arrangement. In this arrangement, the ridges comprise a curved portion such 21 that the spacing between ridges is greater at one end of 22 the board compared with the other end. In this 23 embodiment, ridges 43 and 47 have a curvature curving 24 away from a central ridge 45 in a manner that resembles a fan.

27 In the embodiment of Figure 3B, however, the ridges 55 28 curve in one orientation from a rectilinear side ridge 53 29 at edge of the board 2. The pattern defined by the ridges resembles an asymmetric fan shape.

32 Figure 3C depicts, at 61, another symmetric fan ridge 33 arrangement where the ridge spacing between ridges I increases progressively along the longitudjn axis of 2 the board 2.

4 Advantages of curved ridge arrangements described in the embodiments of Figure 3A, 3B, and 30 are that a greater 6 range of deflection angles are possible to generate, in 7 particular, in the horizontal plane. The curved ridges 8 of the embodiment of Figure 3C provide ridge surfaces, 9 which, moving along the full length of the ridges, provide a changing angle to any particular incoming ball 11 direction. Curved ridge arrangements provide a greater 12 range of deflection scenarios.

14 As in the embodiments described above, the training aids of Figures 3A, 3B, and 30 can be joined together to 16 provide a combined training aid that provides certain S..

17 types of deflection to the ball 5 depending on which of. : 18 the individual training aids it lands. This results in 19 subjecting a player to an additional element of surprise that is beneficial for Practicing ball skills. : .. 22 In the above-described embodiments the training aid is 23 moulded from a polycarbonae material having a core of 24 fibreglass material. However, it should be understood that other materials may be used.

27 In Figures 4A, there is depicted at 100 a training aid 28 according to a further example embodiment. In this case, 29 the training aid 100 is moulded, such that the board and support member of the earlier embodiments comprises a 31 single unit. The moulded training aid 100 Provides an 32 inclined surface 102 or board for providing deflection of 33 a ball 106. A moulded body 108 provides support for the 34 training aid 100 at the required angle and against the I ground 104 or other uniform surface. Adjustment means, 2 such as an extendable support may be provided for 3 adjustment of the angle of the surface 102 relative to 4 the ground 104.

6 With further reference to Figure 4B, the structure of the 7 underside of the moulded training aid 100 is depicted 8 generally at numeral 120. A series of cross members 130 9 are moulded to the underside 132 of the board 102 and delimit a number of hollow portions 134. The cross 11 members help to withstand shock in the board as may 12 result on impact from a ball. The structure prevents 13 surface damage and the members also assist in preventing 14 the board from slipping or dislodging while in use.

16 In addition, sleeves 136 are provided on the underside of 17 the board 102 for locating a handle or bar into the * 18 sleeve 136. In general, the sleeves 136 are formed and 19 adapted for receiving a cricket stump or similar object.

21 This allows a user to insert the stumps into the sleeves 22 and then, holding the stumps, lift the training aid and *: 23 orient the aid in position for receiving and deflecting 24 an incoming ball. In this mode of operation, the surface of board 102 may be in a vertical orientation, and 26 located such that it can deflect an incoming ball. A 27 person may then launch a ball toward the training aid 28 held in the hand of a second person, and the ball will 29 deflect and project on to a third person who accordingly receives the ball for controlling or catching.

32 Further, a handle 110 is formed on the training aid 100 33 for lifting, carrying and generally manoeuvring the 1 device. This may be fitted to the training aid or could 2 be moulded in as an integral feature of the training aid.

4 The present invention provides a means for practising and testing ball skills, such as catching and retrieving a 6 ball for a range a scenarios that resemble adverse bounce 7 scenarios or irregular ball trajectories that are often 8 times encountered by fielding players during the course 9 of a cricket match or by players in field hockey matches.

The aid provides deflections over a range of angles 11 horizontally and vertically. it provides an efficient 12 way of practising and improving ball skills and other 13 skills of ball sport team players.

It should also be appreciated that as well as acting as a 16 training aid for fielding in cricket, the aid could be

S

17 employed for practising batting against deflected ball. . 19 The training aid may also be used in sports such as field hockey, baseball, football, or other ball sports. In 21 such sports, the training aid can be used to deflect 22 balls for training players' reactions, ball control 23 skills, and general ability.

Various modifications and improvements may be made 26 without departing from the scope of the invention herein 27 described.

Claims

I Claims 3 1. A training aid for improving ball skills comprising a 4

board having a prof fled surface to provide deflection of an impacting ball.

7 2. A training aid as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, in 8 use, an upper surface of the board is inclined 9 relative to the ground.

11 3. A training aid as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the 12 profiled surface is the upper surface of the board.

14 4. A training aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the profiled surface comprises distributed 16 ridges. * * , I..

1! . * 18 5. A training aid as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the 19 ridges are parallel.

20: ..

21 6. A training aid as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the 22 ridges diverge from a first end to a second end of 23 the of the surface.

7. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 26 claims, wherein the training aid includes an 27 attaching mechanism for attachment to a receiving 28 mechanism of a second training aid.

8. A training aid as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the 31 attaching mechanism comprises a Protruding member 32 formed to interlock with a complimentary receiving 33 member of the second training aid.

1 9. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 2 claims, wherein the training aid includes a receiving 3 mechanism.

10. A training aid as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the 6 receiving mechanism includes a receiving member 7 formed to interlock with a complimentary protruding 8 member of a second training aid.

11. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 11 Claims, wherein the training aid comprises at least 12 one reinforcing member to assist the training aid in 13 withstanding an impact force of a ball.

12. A training aid as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the 16 reinforcing members are unitary with the surface of 17 the board.

19 13. A training aid as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the reinforcing members form a lattice structure. e. S...

22 14. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 23 Claims, wherein the training aid includes a handle 24 for carrying the training aid.

26 15. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 27 claims, wherein the training aid is formed by 28 injection moulding.

16. The training aid as claimed in any one of the 31 preceding claims, wherein the training aid is moulded 32 from plastic.

1 17. The training aid as claimed in any one of the 2 preceding claims, wherein the training aid is formed 3 from polycarbonate material reinforced with 4 fibreglass.

6 18. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 7 claims, wherein the training aid comprises an 8 adjustable support member for adjusting the 9 inclination of the profiled surface.

11 19. A training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding 12 claims, wherein the training aid includes an 13 attachment means for locating an auxiliary handling 14 aid.

16 20. A training aid as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the 17 attachment means is a bore provided in the training. : 18 aid.

21. A training aid as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, 21 wherein the auxiliary handling aid is a cricket *...

22 stump.

24 22. A training aid as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein the auxiliary handling aid is a dedicated 26 handle.

28 23. A method of improving ball skills comprising the 29 steps of locating, in a target area, a training aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 22, launching a 31 ball such that the ball interacts with the target 32 area, and bringing the ball under control.

1 24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the method 2 includes the step of locating a plurality of training 3 aids in the target area.

25. A method of using a training aid for improving ball 6 skills comprising the steps of providing the training 7 aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 22, placing 8 the training aid on the ground, launching a ball at a 9 top surface of the training aid, wherein the ball makes impact with the training aid and deflects away 11 for retrieval. * S **.* **** * S 5 * S *5 * * S S * *S S... * S a...

* . S. S * * S. *