NO336535B1 - Exercise equipment for ball including elastic cord - Google Patents

Abstract

Ball training equipment (13) comprising elastic cord (12) secured between the ball (13) and a fixed anchor point, the fixed anchor point being an extendable rod (11) adapted to attach to an existing structure, such as the overlayer of a target ( 13) away from ground level. The equipment can be combined with sensors and electronic communication equipment for objective assessment of quality in exercises performed and with the possibility of games / competitions with scoring.

Description

Training equipment for ball including elastic string

The present invention relates to a training equipment for ball as stated in the preamble to patent claim 1.

Background

It is well known to use training equipment for training with a ball, where a ball is held in various ways in a system that ensures that its movement is limited and preferably that it returns to a starting point. This can be appropriate for several reasons, not least to enable training where there is limited space and to minimize the chances of damaging surrounding facilities. It can also be an argument in itself to save time on picking up the ball, as well as the fact that many ball touches are achieved in a short time.

From US patent no. 6 168 539, it is known to attach a soccer ball to a cord which then transitions to an elastic band which in turn is attached to a handle which the user can hold. It is stated that the ball must be able to rotate freely. However, the ball is shown attached to the string by means of a significant number of straps that run around the ball and mean that the feel of the ball will be affected. Furthermore, having to hold the handle while performing exercises limits the user's freedom of movement and there will always be a risk of the roof slipping.

From US patent no. 6 220 974, a piece of equipment is known where a ball is suspended in a frame with cords horizontally and vertically, intended for training kicks. It is further stated that it must be suitable for goalkeeper training and aerobic training. However, the framework and the way the ball is attached provide very limited opportunities for variation in training.

WO publication 01/58 537 deals with training equipment where a ball is surrounded by a net which is attached to a cord which in turn is attached either to a plate or to a vertical attachment suitable for screwing into the ground. The equipment also includes a swivel that will allow the ball to rotate. The equipment offers more variety than those mentioned above, but the net that surrounds the ball is in many situations undesirable and ground-mounted equipment to tether the ball will be possible for the users to injure themselves unless the equipment is exclusively used for single hits on the ball that is in rest.

JP 2007082579 describes an equipment for training with a ball where a branched suspension is used over a vertical, elastic cord that holds a ball. This system has the advantage over, for example, WO 01/58 537 that it does not include ground-mounted equipment that athletes can injure themselves on. However, it is difficult to see that the equipment can be used for anything other than single kicks on a ball that is at rest, albeit with the possibility of measuring the direction and speed of the ball.

US patent 5 398 940 describes an equipment for practicing nodding training with a ball, where a ball is suspended from a cord which is passed through a high-placed touching end. For this type of training, the flexibility of the cord is of little importance, and it has been stated that it can preferably have a relatively inelastic, rope-like structure. The height of the touching end and the length of the string are adjusted so that the equipment is suitable for training heading. The equipment is suitable for being attached to a football goal with a fastening mechanism/screw clamp. This equipment does not provide the opportunity for varied training such as passing and shooting with the ball in motion.

US 7 935 006 deals with equipment of the same general nature as mentioned above, where the ball is tethered to a string which can be attached to the ball without the ball being enclosed by a net or by straps which significantly change the feel of the ball. However, the string is attached to a handle, and although it is stated as an advantage that this can be held at different heights to return the ball to different heights, this is something that negatively affects the user's freedom of movement, in addition to the risk of the ceiling slipping and that the ball therefore continues its trajectory until it hits an object that could potentially cause damage.

US 2011124442 is another example of known technology in this field. An extensive system is described here where two vertical posts support a horizontal lintel. Two cords are attached from the lintel which meet at a junction point similar to the case in the aforementioned Japanese publication, a single cord extending vertically downwards from the junction point to a ball attached to the end. The vertical posts are fixed to the ground and each bar is additionally braced with two tension straps to further stabilize the structure. Again, it must be pointed out that although such equipment may be well suited for some exercises, especially exercises with a ball that is initially at rest, it is not unproblematic or harmless to place a lot of equipment on the ground if the purpose is more dynamically oriented training. In this case, there are a total of 6 mounts to the ground.

From CN 202478255U, training equipment for badminton is known, where a badminton ball is flexibly suspended from a telescopic rod.

In general, the known technique is characterized by the disadvantages, shortcomings or limitations that the equipment offers little flexibility, i.e. it is only suitable for a very specific type of training, such as shooting at targets with a designated point of impact, and that ground-mounted equipment is used as the athletes easily comes into conflict with and can possibly be damaged. Furthermore, much of the known equipment is arranged in such a way that it causes injuries and wounds on the pitch or that the pitch or training field is arranged in such a way that it cannot be mounted or used in the desired location due to the need for penetration of the substrate.

Purpose

It is thus an aim of the present invention to provide a training equipment with greater flexibility, which enables the execution of a number of different exercises with the same equipment, and which is designed so that the risk of the athletes accidentally coming into contact with the equipment and being injured is eliminated or significantly reduced. It is also an aim that the athletes' freedom of movement should be as little restricted as possible.

It is a special purpose that training with football should be able to take place in a way that is experienced as dynamic, i.e. training with a ball that is in motion both along the ground and in the air at all times, also when a player is training alone, and that the training can occur continuously within any desired time interval.

Furthermore, it is an aim that the training equipment should be able to be combined with or supplied with electronic sensors, preferably combined with transmitters and receivers, which, according to given criteria, can give a score or score for the quality of the exercise performed, including the speed and direction of the ball and possibly the athlete's energy consumption .

Present invention

The above stated purposes have been achieved by the training equipment according to the present invention as defined in patent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments appear from the non-independent patent claims.

With the expression "a partially elastic string" as used here, it is understood that at least part of the string is elastic, that is to say that the string is typically not uniform between the attachment point to the pole and the attachment point to the ball.

The present invention provides a device where the ball is free from the enclosing net. It is free to be hit from various positions along ground level, but also to be hit in motion either along the ground or at a distance from the ground, including with body parts other than the athlete's foot. It is thus possible, for example, to practice heading or damping, by first shooting the ball in one direction and then giving it another hit when it returns, be it with the foot, hand, head, chest or whatever part of the body one might wish.

In its basic form, the present equipment does not include equipment that is placed or mounted on the ground, and thus has no risk of injury to the athlete beyond the risk that is always present with such physical exercises. In a particular variant of the invention, the extendable pole is placed on a cart which is rolled out onto a training field. Depending on the exercises to be carried out, this trolley can be shielded with cones, bands etc. so that the athletes receive a warning if they approach the cart dangerously.

There is thus no doubt that all the objectives stated above have been achieved.

When a fixed or stationary structure is mentioned in this document, it primarily refers to structures such as a house wall or a pole for lighting or the like, which already exist in the relevant location and do not need to be brought or placed there in connection with the execution of a training session. A goal for a football field or handball field is generally not difficult to move and thus does not satisfy strict requirements for what a fixed or stationary structure can be. Nevertheless, for the purpose of the present invention, such goals can be considered as existing, fixed structures, as they are normally in place and used on the training field regardless of the possible use of the equipment according to the present invention, and that they have a fixed place on which they stand or are placed on, again independent of the present invention. It is therefore not the case that the athletes need to think particularly about the goals and it is not the case that using goals as a support structure for the equipment according to the present invention adds equipment that may represent an injury risk for the athletes.

More about the invention

In the following, the invention is described in more detail in the form of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures, where: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment principle sketch of the equipment, the training equipment according to the present invention in a first embodiment. Figure 2 shows a variant of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 shows the training equipment shown in Figure 1 from another angle.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of the training equipment shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the training equipment according to the present invention in another embodiment. Figure 5 shows an enlarged detailed principle sketch of the training equipment according to the present invention in a third embodiment.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment in relation to figures 1 and 2.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the training equipment according to the present invention.

Figures 8A-E show an enlarged example of certain details of the equipment according to the present invention. Figures 9A-D show enlarged examples of details of the equipment according to the present invention, alternatives to the details shown in Figures 8A-E. Figure 10 shows a detail of a non-mandatory part of the training equipment according to the present invention. Figure 1 shows an extendable rod 11 attached to the crossbar 15 on a target 14. To the outer end of the extendable rod is attached a partially elastic cord 2 which in turn is attached to a

ball 13. The cord 12 need not be uniform throughout its length, and the entire cord need not be elastic. For example, it may be relevant to let the outer part of the string, closest to the ball, be as light and thin as possible, and may preferably be without significant elasticity. The extendable rod will typically be telescopic, but it can also take the form of separate parts such as are screwed together, which can be easier if you want to achieve great strength with small dimensions. Although the extendable rod 11 is shown attached to the target 14 approximately in the middle of the crossbar 15, there is nothing to prevent it from being attached near one of the posts. The arrows marked "L" or "R" in Figure 1 indicates that the extendable rod may advantageously be attached with a fastening mechanism which enables the extendable rod to be rotated to an angle to the target line other than 90 degrees, and locked in such positions. Figure 1 also gives an indication of the horizontal component of length (Lh) of the rod 11, which can be, for example, 8-10 metres.

It will be understood that the ball in an arrangement such as the one shown here can be used for shots on goal, but also for crosses and subsequent finishes, as a kick on the ball in the direction of an imaginary sideline will cause the ball to return, low or high, so that the athlete, with or without damping, can attempt to send the ball into the goal with any part of the body, including the head. It is also easy to see that no ground-mounted equipment is brought in here that the athletes could injure themselves if they are not paying attention.

The training equipment can easily include sensors to calculate speed or determine impact points etc. as explained in more detail below, but this is not a prerequisite.

Figure 2 shows the equipment shown in Figure 1 seen from the side. Here you get a better impression of how the extendable pole can be arranged so that it protrudes inwards on the pitch in relation to the goal and the dead line. The length of the string can be varied, but it can often be appropriate to use a string so long that the ball needs enough time to return to the starting point that the athlete has time to reposition himself and prepare for the finish before the ball returns, which usually involves more than 5 meters string, and typically 7-15 meters of string without this being considered as any limitation for the invention. The curved arrows in Figure 2 indicate that the direction of the extendable rod 11 can preferably be adjusted vertically, that is to say that the angle between the extendable rod (11) and the horizontal plane is adjustable. Furthermore, the arrow marked with the letter "L" indicates that the length of the extendable rod can also be advantageously adjusted.

It is important that the length of the string and the length of the rod are adapted to each other. For use in football training as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the pole length could be of the order of magnitude between 3 and 15 metres, more preferably between 6 and 11 meters and typically 8-10 metres. The free end of the pole, where the string leaves the pole, will typically be at a height of at least 2.5 meters. The cord may be attached to the free end of the rod, but may, as an alternative, be attached inside the rod, at or near the rod attachment, and run internally through the rod to the free end of the rod, or externally of the rod, through hoops as on a fishing rod.

With the pole projecting slightly upwards, but at a modest angle above the horizontal plane, the free end of the pole will typically project up to 8 meters in a horizontal direction (Lh) into the pitch. With a string length which, when stretched, is at least as long as the length of the pole, but also not significantly longer, for example 9-11 meters with a 9 meter pole, the active training area will extend at least 16 meters from the target. This provides good opportunities for training passes as well as shots and finishing with the head. More generally, the string length in a stretched state should be longer than the length of the rod, but a maximum of approx. 2 meters longer. It is the overall, free string length that is referred to here, that is, the sum of the lengths of elastic and non-elastic parts of the string that connect the ball to the pole, but still not including any part of the string that is inside the pole.

The relatively high attachment point for the string prevents the string from reaching the ground when actively training with the ball. The cord will almost always, and for its entire length, float above the ground and not disturb the users. When shooting or heading towards goal, the string is long enough to allow the ball to touch the net and show where the point of impact is, before the elastic part of the string and the rod pull the ball out again. For training with the bar attached to a target, matching the length of the string in relation to the length of the bar is an important parameter. Furthermore, shots that do not hit the goal will only pass a maximum of a couple of meters past the vertical plane in which the goal line is located, before the ball turns and enters the field again, over the crossbar if the shot has gone over. Various tests show that the ball almost always returns to the court without getting stuck in the back of the net in such cases.

The elastic part of the cord 12 can be of limited length, for example of the order of half the length of the cord, but can also be longer or shorter than this. How much of the string that is chosen to be elastic will depend on the characteristics of the string, the characteristics of the rod, how heavy the ball is used, etc. There is no need for a string that is able to temporarily store all movement energy in the ball, as the rod is also a bit elastic and will temporarily store a significant amount of energy even with a modest curvature of the rod.

For training with handball and in front of a handball goal, the dimensions will typically be smaller than described above in connection with training with football, but still with the same considerations regarding the mutual relationship between rod length and string length. The appropriateness of having a high attachment point for the string will also apply here, both to ensure that it is completely excluded that the athletes can come into contact with the pole and injure themselves on it, but also to keep the string floating in the air during use.

When shooting at a target with a net, the ball will touch the net with the elastic part of the string already somewhat stretched, and the ball will therefore return with speed and not remain in the target. As mentioned, the rod is also somewhat elastic, not unlike a fishing rod, and will help to temporarily store the ball's kinetic energy as the ball turns and again regain this kinetic energy in the form of movement in mainly the opposite direction.

Without limiting the training equipment according to the invention to a specific use thereof, it is clear that it is particularly suitable for clearance training, i.e. shots and headers towards the goal with the ball in motion. If you position yourself directly under the free end of the bar, you are guaranteed to get the ball back no matter in which direction it is sent. It can be sent in the direction of the corner flag and you get the ball back as if it had been hit for a corner. You can hit the ball in an outward direction on the pitch and you get it back as a pass from behind (when you are facing the goal). It always takes a very short time before the ball returns. Regardless of whether you train alone or with others, training in this way can be very effective.

Although the ball always returns, it does not return to the exact same spot from which it was hit. This can happen exceptionally, for example when the ball is hit from a position directly below the free end of the bar or when it is hit in such a direction that it passes directly below the free end of the bar. In other cases, the ball will return to a mainly circular area under the free end of the bar, with an uncertainty that depends on several factors, such as the characteristics of the equipment, unevenness in the surface and not least the direction of the ball after the previous impact, seen in relation to the free end of the rod. By not predicting the exact point of return, a further element of uncertainty is achieved which reflects the true nature of ball games and which makes training more realistic, more efficient, more challenging and more fun.

Figure 3 shows in more detail how the extendable rod 11 can be attached to a crossbar 15 which is in the form of an extruded aluminum profile, with recesses on one side of the profile to receive attachments for the target's net. The extendable rod 11 is fixed in a fixing bracket 31 which comprises a fixing plate 32 for fixing in the recess on the back side of the lintel 15. Furthermore, the fixing bracket can comprise a vertically arranged, rotatable pin 33 which makes it possible to swing the extendable rod 11 from one side to another. In that case, there will be a need for a locking device that prevents the extendable rod from turning every time it is affected by forces.

Furthermore, Figure 3 shows that the fastening bracket 31 comprises a rotating joint 32 which enables the height adjustment of the extendable rod 11 to be changed. Naturally, this too must be able to be locked in the desired position.

Although the fixing bracket is only shown for fixing to the target, it should be understood that the functionality allows for changed setting laterally and with regard to height. Can be included with any mounting bracket used for any application of the training equipment according to the present invention. Figure 4 schematically shows that the extendable rod 11 can be attached with a special attachment bracket 41 to a wall 42. The areas of use are essentially the same as for the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, but naturally with somewhat less room for movement towards the wall than towards a goal. It is assumed to use a wall that does not include windows, doors or the like that could be damaged. Figure 5 shows the equipment according to the invention in the form of a rollable cart 51 with a framework 52 to which one or more extendable rods according to the present invention can be attached. As such a carriage could represent a possible source of injury, it should be padded or protected behind a movable fence 53 which is designed in such a way that the risk of injury by running into the fence is minimal. For example, the fence may consist of cones connected by a ribbon or string.

Figure 6 shows in principle the same as Figure 2, but in a variant where the elastic part of the cord 12 is not attached directly to the ball, but spliced with a cord part 12b with different properties than other parts of the cord 12, the cord part 12b being attached to the ball 13, preferably via a swivel which helps to prevent curling of the string. In principle, the cord 12 can consist of any number of different cord parts, of which at least one cord part is elastic, while other parts of the cord need not be elastic. The elastic part of the string is preferably not attached directly to the ball, and does not even need to be visible, as it can be inside the rod, attached to the rod at or near the rod attachment.

The cord part 12b which is attached to the ball 13 will typically be thin, light and not very elastic. The purpose of using a string that is thin and light closest to the ball is to disturb the athlete as little as possible in relation to both the tactile contact with the ball and the visual impression.

Figure 7 again shows in principle the same as Figure 2, but in an embodiment where a sensor 71 is arranged at the outer end of the extendable rod 11. A sensor 72 is arranged in the ball 13 and one or more sensors 73 are arranged in the target. The sensors can, in various ways and with the help of techniques known in and of themselves, record the direction and speed of the ball at any time and likewise if necessary

hit point in the target. The sensors 71, 72 and 73 are arranged to communicate wirelessly, directly or indirectly, to a unit 74 for data processing which may be located at the training field or at a completely different location. The detailed operation of sensors and communication from them is not part of the present invention and therefore not described in further detail here.

Many types of sensors can be used, and the term sensors must be interpreted broadly here. For example, within the framework of "sensors", high-speed cameras can also be used, for example of the type used in the sport of tennis with the designation "hawkeye". The sensors' general purpose is to record at least one parameter selected from among the ball's position, speed, rotation and point of impact, but preferably several of these at the same time and in near real time.

Otherwise, the sensors can typically belong to one or more of the following groups of sensors: optical sensors, acoustic sensors, radio transmitters and wireless RTLS (Real Time Location System)) tags.

Figures 8A-E show a suitable principle for fastening between the ball 13 and the string 12. Within the ball's outer layer, the ball layer 13a, there is a support plate 82 with a suitable shape and recesses, as explained below. The elastic string 12 is attached to a freely rotatable in a swivel joint 83 where a central part 83a is rotatable in relation to a peripheral part 83b. Figure 8A also shows a cover disk 81 which lies around and close to the string 12 where it comes out of the ball.

The swivel joint 83 can have a section as shown in figure 8B with a mainly cylindrical central part 83a and two projecting arms 83b. Fully assembled and with inflated ball, the two arms 83b will lie in the recess 82b and the bladder of the ball (not shown) will support the swivel joint 83 from below. Figure 8C shows the support plate 82 from above, with a through opening 82a that fits the swivel joint 83, as well as a non-through recess 82b on the underside of the support plate which allows the swivel joint to be rotated to a position where it can no longer be pulled out of the ball. The figure further illustrates with a dashed line that a sensor 82c, corresponding to sensor 72 indicated in figure 7, can be molded into or otherwise included in the support plate 82. Figure 8D shows the cover disc 81 seen from above. The tire disc is preferably elastic and has a central opening that corresponds to the thickness of the elastic cord 12, alternatively to another cord 12b as shown in Figure 6. The tire disc can be divided by a continuous cut 81a from its periphery to the central opening in order to be laid around and is removed from the ball and the elastic cord 12 without further disassembly. A dashed circular line indicates where the cover disc on its underside is provided with a neck 81b suitable for protruding into the ball's opening for the central part 83a of the swivel joint 83. The thickness of the neck 81b is such that it closes the opening in the ball's outer layer 13a with pressure . Figure 8E shows the assembly shown in Figure 8A seen from above, i.e. viewed towards the point where the cord 12 disappears into the ball 13. Figures 9A-D show an alternative embodiment of the connection between the ball 13 and the elastic cord 12. Here the support plate has given the reference number 92 and the swivel joint the reference number 93. In Figure 9A, the support plate 92 is shown with a circular flange that protrudes into the opening in the ball's outer layer 13a to help keep the support plate 92 centered in relation to the opening. A corresponding flange can also be used in the embodiment shown in Figure 8A. A difference between the support plate according to Figure 9A compared to that shown in Figure A is the through opening which in Figure 9A has

a first or outer portion which is generally cylindrical and a second or inner portion which is generally conical.

As can be seen most clearly from figure 9B, the cross-section of the continuous opening in the support plate 92 is circular and not large enough for the swivel joint to pass through regardless of its orientation. The swivel joint 93 shown in figure 9C comprises a cylindrical part and a part which has the shape of a truncated cone. The two parts are preferably machined or cast in one and the same piece, and have a smooth surface to be able to rotate relative to the support plate 92.

The variant of the swivel joint shown in figure 9D is given the designation 93' and is outwardly similar to the swivel joint in figure 9C. The difference is that the swivel joint 93' comprises an inner cylinder which is rotatable in the outer cylindrical part of the swivel joint, which makes it possible to achieve a lower resistance to rotation. Both variants shown in Figure 9 require that the support plate 92 be removed if the swivel joint is to be replaced or a new cord attached to it. However, the operation in the assembled state is for all practical purposes the same as for the embodiment according to figures 8A-E. Figure 10 shows a further possible aspect of the present invention, an element which can generally be described as an unpredictability mechanism. The purpose of possibly including such an element would be to make it more difficult to predict exactly where the ball will return, for example as a simulation of a pass changing direction when another nearby player comes into contact with the ball. In Figure 10, this is visualized by the fact that the outer end of the extendable rod carries a rotatable plate 101 through which the elastic string 12 is guided. The rotatable plate will, from a vertical, neutral position, swing out in the direction of the ball when the ball is hit in one direction or another. As a result of gravity, the plate will swing back when the string is no longer as tight. The plate thus represents an eccentric mechanism that can help to give the ball a slightly changed direction when it swings back. It is also possible to combine this with a mechanism that for a short period of time locks the disc in a swing position (as shown by the dashed line), and releases it at a later time, for example 1-3 seconds later regardless of the string tension. The plate must have a certain weight compared to the weight of the ball in order to give the ball a significant impact. Figure 10 further shows a device 102 which is designed to temporarily store parts of the energy supplied to the ball when it is hit, visualized as a simple spiral spring. However, it is possible to use other means of storing kinetic energy for later release, and it is possible to combine this with a mechanical or electronically controlled delay that can cause the ball to change speed at a time that cannot be predicted.

The effect of an eccentric mechanism as described and the effect of a device for storing and releasing kinetic energy can be collectively termed an unpredictability mechanism. This is not a mandatory feature of the present invention, but can help to make the training more varied and more realistic than if these elements were omitted. It goes without saying that the two indicated elements of unpredictability can be used separately or simultaneously. If greater flexibility is desired in this mechanism, it can be achieved by using electronic control systems and external energy added to the unpredictability mechanism.

The basic, fundamental features of the equipment are discussed above. It should be understood that this equipment is well suited to be combined with the use of sensors to record various qualities that the athletes display during use, such as the ability to give the ball the desired direction and the desired speed. The equipment can be combined with any of these types of equipment, as well as any background computer equipment that can calculate and keep track of scores obtained, compare with previous results, etc., and be presented on mobile communication devices in the form of, for example, using so-called apps.

Thus, with the use of the equipment according to the present invention in such a context, it will be possible for an athlete to follow his own development of skills over time, it will be possible to arrange competitions between participants locally, and it will even, with the help of of modern communication technology, it should be possible to arrange competitions where different athletes are located in different places.

While the above exemplification is mainly given with reference to football, the person skilled in the art will understand that the principles also apply to training for other ball sports, such as handball and not least training with a ball for people with reduced mobility.

Claims (22)

1. Training equipment for ball (13) comprising an at least partially elastic string (12) attached between the ball (13) and a fixed anchoring point, characterized in that the fixed anchoring point is an extendable rod (11) designed to be attached to existing structure in distance from ground level, as both the cord (12) and the rod (11) help to temporarily store energy when the ball's movement changes direction. 2. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the extendable rod (11) is designed to be attached to a crossbar (15) on a target (14). 3. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 2, characterized in that the extendable rod (11) is designed to be attached to a crossbar (15) on a target (14) with a particularly suitable attachment bracket (31). 4. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 3, characterized in that the attachment bracket (31) is arranged displaceable in the width of the target (14), and is designed to allow adjustment of the angle between the extendable rod (11) and the horizontal plane as well as the angle between the extendable the bar (11) and the target line. 5. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the extendable rod (11) is designed to be attached to a wall (42) with a specially designed wall attachment (41). 6. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the extendable rod (11) is telescopically extendable. 7. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the cord (12) includes an elastic part at any point. 8. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 7, characterized in that the elastic part of the string (12) is approximately half of the entire string length. 9. Exercise equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that between the rod (11) and the ball (13) there is arranged at least one cord part (12b) with a different characteristic than other parts of the cord (12), as the cord part (12b) is attached to the ball (13). 10. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 9, characterized in that the cord part (12b) is lighter and thinner than other parts of the cord (12) and not very elastic. 11. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that an unpredictability mechanism is arranged between the extendable rod (11) and the elastic cord (12). 12. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that it includes sensors designed to record at least one parameter selected from the ball's position, speed, rotation and point of impact. 13. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1 or 12, characterized in that the ball (13) is equipped with a movement sensor (72). 14. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 13, characterized in that the motion sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, radio transmitters and or a wireless RTLS tag. 15. Training equipment in accordance with any one of patent claims 12-14, characterized in that the sensors are arranged to communicate wirelessly, directly or indirectly, to a local or central unit (74) for data processing. 16. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the extendable rod (11) is equipped with a sensor (71) selected from the group consisting of a radio transmitter and an RTLS tag. 17. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 2, characterized in that sensors (73) are arranged in connection with the target (14) for recording the point of impact and possibly speed. 18. Training equipment in accordance with patent claim 17, characterized in that the sensors (73) are selected from the group consisting of radio receivers and high-speed camera. 19. Exercise equipment in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the string (12) is attached to the ball (13) by a swivel joint (83) which is led into an opening in the ball's outer layer (13a) and is held by a special support plate (82) ). 20. Exercise equipment in accordance with any of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the length of the cord (12) is adapted to the length of the rod (11) and in the stretched state is longer than the length of the rod (11) by up to approximately 2 metres. 21. Exercise equipment in accordance with any of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the free end of the bar is at a height of at least approx. 2.5 meters. 22. Training equipment in accordance with any of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the length of the bar (11) is between 3 and 15 metres, more preferably between 6 and 11 metres.