IE20150168A1

IE20150168A1 - A teaching aid for the performance of ball handling and kicking in field sports

Info

Publication number: IE20150168A1
Application number: IE20150168A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Osborne Nigel
Original assignee: Osborne Nigel
Priority date: 2015-06-08
Filing date: 2015-06-08
Publication date: 2016-12-14

Abstract

The present invention provides for a ball for use in field sports, said ball being marked to show the optimum hand and/or foot positions for performing a given manipulation of the ball. Said markings may be in the form of colours, textures or by any means which distinguish the part of the ball to be held or kicked from the rest of the ball.

Description

Field of Invention The present invention relates to balls for field sports games. It relates in particular to a ball marked to demonstrate optimum hand and/or foot positions for performing various in—field manipulations with said ball.

Background There are a great range of field sport games based on the playing of a ball. in order for players to excel at such sports, it is imperative that they develop instinctual understanding of how to manipulate said ball, for instance, for accurate throwing or passing, or aligning the ball for kicking from the hand. This is of particular importance where the ball is oval or piIl—shaped, as is the case in games such as Rugby Union and League, Australian Rules Football or American Football. Such balls have particular handling requirements dependent upon their orientation, the field position and direction of play, and the way and direction in which they need kicked or passed. The way they are held is a strong detennining factor in influencing the trajectory of a given manipulation.

Being able to manipulate the ball instinctually can save vital fractions of a second in close contact and thereby give the player and team in possession a vital advantage in set or open play. it is therefore advantageous for players to be able to train certain operations in their game with the aid of a ball which clearly indicates the optimum handling of said ball in a given manipulation or technique. This way, a player can get used to the positions and the feel of holding the ball when practicing a particular skill or technique, so that said method or technique may become ingrained, such that the handling method comes naturally to them in play.

Statement of invention The invention therefore provides for a ball for use in field sports, said ball being marked to show the optimum hand and/or foot positions for performing a given manipulation of the ball. Said markings may be in the form of colours, textures or by any means which distinguish the part of the ball to be held or kicked from the rest of the ball. in one embodiment the ball is a rugby ball.

In one embodiment the relevant positions are designated by coloured markings on the ball corresponding to the optimum position for each hand or foot relevant to the technique.

In one embodiment, each hand has a particular colour coding corresponding to its position when handling the ball for the performance of a particular technique. in one embodiment, the ball is marked by means of a distinctive texture on the ball corresponding to the optimum position for each hand.

In one embodiment, the markings are positioned for optimum handling by right- handed players.

In another embodiment, the markings are positioned for optimum handling by left- handed players.

In one embodiment, the markings are positioned for optimum handling by right- footed players.

In another embodiment, the markings are positioned for optimum handling by left- footed players.

In one embodiment, the markings correspond to handling techniques for throwing the ball. in one embodiment, the markings correspond to handling techniques for passing the ball. in one embodiment, the markings correspond to handling techniques for delivering the ball to the foot to be kicked.

Brief Description of the Drawings The attached drawings identify, by way of example only, the appropriate markings for a rugby ball with the different hand positions that will be placed on the ball to execute various skills, in which: Figure 1 shows the positions for the hand markings forthe 'end over end‘ kick.

Figure 2 shows the positions for the hand markings for the spiral kick.

Figure 3 shows the positions for the hand markings for the drop goal kick.

Figure 4 shows the positions for the hand markings for the grubber kick.

Figure 5 shows the positions for the hand markings for the runner kick.

Figure 6 shows the positions for the hand markings for the scrum half spiral pass from left to right.

Figure 7 shows the positions for the hand markings for the scrum half spiral pass from right to left.

Figure 8 shows the positions for the hand markings for the spin pass from left to right.

Figure 9 shows the positions for the hand markings for the spin pass from right to left.

Figure 10 shows the positions for the hand markings for the hooker throw.

Detailed description Though the invention is by no means limited to only one sport or ball, the attached drawings indicate preferred handling positions on a ball suitable for use in the game of Rugby Union. Each figure depicts the four quadrant panels of a typical rugby ball according to a pseudocylindrical sinusoidal projection. in each drawing the left hand is distinguished by the indication LH, and the right hand by the indication RH. In each case, the thumb is indicated for each hand in question. For clarity, in these drawings foot markings have been omitted, since they often overlap with the hand position required earlier in the kicking event.

Claims

1. Claims 1 . A ball for use in field sports, said ball being marked to show the optimum hand and/or foot positions for performing a given manipulation of the ball. A ball according to claim 1, wherein said markings may be in the form of colours, textures or any means which distinguish the part of the ball to be held or kicked from the rest of the ball. A ball according to claim 2, wherein the relevant positions are designated by coloured markings on the ball corresponding to the optimum position for each hand and/or foot relevant to the technique to be executed. A ball according to claim 3 wherein each hand and/or foot has a particular colour coding corresponding to its position when handling the ball for the performance of a particular technique. A ball according to claim 2, wherein the ball is marked by means of a distinctive texture on the ball corresponding to the optimum position for each hand and/or foot relevant to the technique to be executed. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the markings are positioned for optimum handling by right-handed players. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the markings are positioned for optimum handling by left-handed players. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the markings are positioned for optimum handling by right—footed players. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the markings are positioned for optimum handling by left-footed players. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 9, the markings correspond to handling techniques for throwing the ball. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 9, the markings correspond to handling techniques for passing the ball. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 9, the markings correspond to handling techniques for delivering the ball to the foot to be kicked. The ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is a rugby ball.