GB2432538A

GB2432538A - Ball game practice apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2432538A
Application number: GB0515870A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Reynolds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-02
Filing date: 2005-08-02
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-02
Also published as: GB2432538B; GB0515870D0

Abstract

A ball game practice apparatus comprises a target area 104 such as a goal mouth. A catch net 103 behind the target area and having an area greater than the target area, traps balls which miss the target. A ball return channel 113, 114 at the bottom of the net returns the balls to a retrieval area. The net and its supports 106, 107may be collapsible and stowable on a trailer 112.

Description

1 2432538 BALL-GAME TRAINiNG AID The present invention relates to an

apparatus for use in training for ball games which require a ball to be aimed at a target area, and more specifically, for use in soccer training.

During practice for ball games, such as soccer, which require a ball to be directed at as target, much time is wasted collecting balls which have missed the target.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for facilitating practice at directing a ball towards a target area.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for facilitating practice at directing a ball towards a target area, comprising a practice target area, a catch net behind the target area and having an area greater than that of the target area so as to intercept balls which are directed at the target area but miss it, a ball-return channel in the lower region of the catch net arranged to receive balls intercepted by the net and direct them to a retrieval position.

Preferably, the net is hung loosely so that balls do not re-bound from it and the lower end of the net is attached to the rear edge of the channel.

Preferably, the channel is raised above ground level and there is included below the channel an area of tensioned net arranged to return balls towards persons in the area neighbouring the target.

When the target is a simulated soccer goal, then preferably the said simulated goal is provided with a rear net free from the ground and the said channel is arranged to direct balls to the rear of the simulated goal, whence they can be retrieved by a person acting as a goal-keeper.

Preferably, frames and other structures forming part of the apparatus are collapsible onto a trailer thereby to render the apparatus readily movable.

The invention will now he described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a pictorial view of a soccer training aid embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a soccer shooting training aid 100 consists of a target area 101 which has the dimensions and form of a conventional soccer goal and is referred to as such. The goal 101 is provided with a net 102 in the usual way, but the back of the net 102 is not attached to the ground. Behind the goal 101 is a catch-net 103. The catch-net 103 has an area which is considerably larger than that of the mouth 104 of the goal 101. The catch-net 103 is suspended from three poles, 105, 106, 107. The poles 105, 106 are mounted on wheeled carriages 108, 109, respectively, and are maintained in position by guys 110 and ground anchors 111. The central pole 107 is mounted on a trailer 112. In the lower region of the catch net 103 is a ball-return channel 113 formed of netting which is tensioned by a pulley system (not shown in the drawing, for clarity) mounted on at least one of the outer poles 105, 106. The catch-net 103 is suspended loosely from the poles 105, 106 and 107 with its lower edge attached to the rear of the ball-return channel 11 3 so that errant balls directed at the goal 101 do not re-bound from the catch-net 103, but fall into the ball-return channel 113 which directs them to the rear of the goal 101, whence they are picked up by a person acting as goal-keeper and returned to the shooting area in front of the goal 101. It is to enable this lobe done that the back of the net 102 of the goal 101 is not attached to the ground. Below the ball-return channel 113 there is an area 114 of tensioned net 115 which is angled so as to direct balls back towards persons attempting to kick balls into the goal 101. The goal-posts 116, 117 and cross-bar 118 of the goal 101 are collapsible and supported by two folding braces 119, 120 which are attached to the trailer 112. The poles 105, 106 and 107 also are collapsible and the whole assembly is so arranged that it can be loaded onto the trailer 112 and moved to any desired position, so enabling excessive wear of the grass of a playing area to be avoided.

Although intended primarily for use in soccer training, the invention can be used in connection with other sports such as hockey or tennis.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for facilitating practice at directing a ball towards a target area, comprising a practice target area, a catch net behind the target area and having an area greater than that of the target area so as to intercept balls which are directed at the target area hut miss it, a ball-return channel in the lower region of the catch net arranged to receive balls intercepted by the net and direct them to a retrieval position.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the catch-net is hung loosely from a support structure and the lower end of the catch-net is attached to the rear edge of the ball-return channel so that balls intercepted by the catch-net are directed into the ball-return channel.

3. An apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the ball-return channel is positioned above ground level and there is situated below the ball-return channel an area of tensioned net arranged to return balls to persons in the region of the target area.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the ball-return channel is constituted by tensioned netting.

5. An apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the target area is delineated by a framework representing a goal. c

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the ball-return channel is adapted to return balls to the back of the goal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the framework constituting the goal is adapted to be collapsible onto the bed of a trailed attached to the said frame-work.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the structure supporting the catch-net also is adapted to be collapsible and stowable on the said trailer.

9. An lpparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the target area has the dimensions of a soccer goal.

10. An apparatus for use in facilitating practice at directing a ball towards a target area substantially as hereinbefore described, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for facilitating practice at directing a ball towards a target area, comprising a practice target area, a catch net behind the target area and having an area greater than that of the target area so as to intercept balls which are directed at the target area but miss it, a ball-return channel in the lower region of the catch net arranged to receive balls intercepted by the net and direct them to a retrieval position
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the catch-net is hung loosely from a support structure and the lower section of the catch-net is attached : * to the rear edge of the ball-return channel so that balls intercepted by the catch net are directed into the ball-return channel.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ball-return channel is positioned above ground level and there is situated below the ball-return channel an area of tensioned net arranged to send the ball upwards into the catch-net from there the ball will go into the ball-return channel and from there into the retrieval position.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the ball-return channel is constituted by tensioned netting.

5. An apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the target area is delineated by a framework representing a goal.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the ball-return channel is adapted to return balls to the back of the goal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the framework constituting the goal is adapted to be collapsible onto the bed of a trailer.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the structure supporting the catch-net also is adapted to be collapsible and stowable on the said trailer. ) )

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the target area has the dimensions of a soccer goal.

10. An apparatus for use in facilitating practice at directing a ball towards a target area substantially as hereinbefore described, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.