WO2023083843A1

WO2023083843A1 - An interactive rebound board for agility performance training and testing

Info

Publication number: WO2023083843A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/081221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias SEGHERS; Oliver FRANCX
Original assignee: Scarab Sports Bv
Priority date: 2021-11-09
Filing date: 2022-11-09
Publication date: 2023-05-19
Also published as: BE1029911B1; BE1029911A1

Abstract

A rebound board for rebounding a ball such as a football received from a player, the rebound board comprising · a front panel having an outer surface and inner surface, the outer surface being configured for being impacted by the ball, · a panel impact sensing assembly configured for sensing the impact of the ball on the front panel, and · a player impact sensing assembly comprising at least one microphone configured for detecting airborne sound generated by the impact of the ball on the player.

Description

AN I NTERACTI VE REBOUND BOARD FOR AGI LI TY PERFORMANCE TRAI Nl NG AND TESTI NG

TECH N I CAL Fl ELD

The present invention relates to a sporting device, in particular to a device to assist in sports performance training in particular in sport agility training, and to assist in performance screening/testing in particular in agility performance screening/testing. Agility can be described as the ability of an athlete to react to an external stim ulus by changing direction. More in particular, the present invention is directed to an interactive rebound board for agility performance training and testing wherein the rebound board is arranged for rebounding a ball such as a football received from a player. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of using interactive rebound boards such as to determ ine the time on ball of a player.

BACKGROUND

Team sports are widely popular throughout the world, with perhaps the most popular sport being soccer. Although team sports require team participation, individual performance skills are also important for players to contribute to team efforts. Two particularly important individual player skills are a player’s ability a) to shoot accurately and with precision, and b) to receive a ball, to quickly control the ball and to shoot the ball in a desired direction which is typically a different direction from the direction in which the ball was received for example in the direction of an available team member player. The latter is particularly referred to as agility. Agility can for example be described as the ability of an athlete to react to an external stimulus by changing direction. The time period between a player receiving the ball, i.e. marked by the impact of the ball on a player such as on his/her foot, and the player shooting the ball, i.e. again marked by the impact of the ball on a player such as on his/her foot, is referred to as the “time on ball”. This “time on ball” reflects the player’s ability to control the ball and to change the direction of the ball from a receipt direction to a desired direction, in other words it reflects his/her agility. Visually tim ing this “time on ball” parameter, for example assisted with a chronometer, however proves to be very inaccurate.

It is a player’s aim to improve his/her shooting accuracy and precision whilst lim iting his/her time on ball as much as possible e.g. such as to improve his/her agility. At present, there is no known training device that allows an individual player, i.e. a player alone without team member players, to improve his/her shooting accuracy and precision whilst lim iting his/her time on ball as m uch as possible. That is, there is no known training device such as the device of the present invention that enables a player to receive random stim uli, related to matchlike situations, on which the player has to react and wherein the training device accurately determ ines the player’s shooting accuracy/precision and “time on ball”.

DESCRI PTI ON OF THE I NVENTI ON

The present invention is directed to a sport training device that allows an individual player to improve his/her shooting accuracy and precision whilst limiting his/her time on ball as much as possible e.g. such as to improve his/her agility. To that end, the present invention provides a rebound board for rebounding a ball such as a football received from a player according to claim 1 as filed. The rebound board of the present invention comprises a front panel having an outer surface and inner surface. The outer surface is configured for being impacted by the ball. The outer surface subsequently also rebounds the ball. The rebound direction depends on the angle between the outer surface at impact location and the incom ing direction of the ball. The outer surface of the rebound boards of the present invention can have different shapes such as flat or curved. I n an embodiment, the front panel is removable from the rebound board such as to enable the exchange of a first front panel having a first type of outer surface with a second front panel having a second type of surface. Preferably, the inner surface of the front panel is flat, such as to facilitate coupling between the front panel and the remainder of the rebound board. The rebound board further comprises a panel impact sensing assembly configured for sensing the impact of the ball on the front panel. The rebound board of the present invention is particularly characterized in that the rebound board further comprises a player impact sensing assembly comprising at least one microphone configured for detecting airborne sound generated by the impact of the ball on the player.

The rebound board of the present invention has the advantage of rebounding balls that impact on the front panel of the rebound board. The panel impact sensing assembly subsequently determ ines if the impact took place. This enables to check the accuracy and precision of the player for example by determining whether or not the ball has impacted on the front panel thereby determining whether the player hit or m issed the targeted rebound board. This is particularly advantageous in further embodiments as described below, for example in an embodiment where a training assembly comprising multiple rebound boards is provided or where the panel impact sensing assembly is able to sense impact in a specific region of the rebound board. I n both cases, the player will be prompted by means of random stimuli, to shoot the received ball towards a specific target, respectively to one of the m ultiple rebound boards of the training assembly or to a specific region of a rebound board. A combination is of course also possible. The random stim uli can for example be a light being em itted by the target rebound board or a region of the target rebound board. The random stimuli thereby preferably em ulate match like conditions wherein a player has to receive and control a ball, has to scan the field for stim uli such as other team member players that are available, and has to subsequently shoot the ball in the desired direction towards the available team member player. The panel impact sensing assembly of the rebound board will sense whether or not the correct rebound board and/or the correct region within the rebound board was impacted. A correct impact contributes to a better precision and accuracy score. As stated above, it is a player’s aim to sim ultaneously improve his/her shooting accuracy and precision whilst limiting his/her time on ball as m uch as possible i.e. such as to improve his/her agility. The latter individual player skill can be trained by means of the rebound board of the present invention, thanks to the provision of the player impact sensing assembly. Providing the player impact sensing assembly after all enables to implement the method of independent claim 19 as filed. It in particular enables to accurately determ ine the “time on ball” of a player, without having to rely on the inaccurate visual determ ination of this parameter. As described above, in some embodiments of the present invention, the player will be subjected to random stim uli related to match like situations. The player thus receives the ball from a first direction, has to control to ball, and subsequently has to shoot the ball in the direction of the targeted rebound board or rebound board location as prompted by said random stimulus. The player thus has to change the direction of the ball. The ability of a player to do so, can be quantified by means of the parameter “time on ball”, which can be measured by means of the rebound boards of the present invention as described above.

Preferably, the rebound board of the present invention can thus be referred to as a rebound board configured for determ ining time on ball of the player.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board further comprises a rigidifying layer having an outer and inner surface. The rigidifying layer is preferably configured to enhance the rebound of the ball upon impact of the ball on the front panel. The rigidifying layer is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the front panel, preferably adjacent thereto and preferably in contact therewith. The outer surface of the rigidifying layer for example lies parallel and preferably in contact with the inner surface of the front panel. The rigidifying layer is preferably a foam layer preferably comprising or even made of expanded polypropylene.

I n a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the rigidifying layer provides for a shell with one or more cavities or openings in which the electronic components can be (at least partly) positioned, and serves as a structural support for the rebound board, especially along its contour (outside surfaces between front and back) to counter lateral forces as well as frontal forces. The rigidifying layer substantially forms the side walls of the rebound board (and can comprise the back panel) , with internal core segments for remaining sturdy enough and potentially defining cavities. The rigidifying layer preferably comprises an anterior surface, on which side walls extend, which form the side walls of the rebound board. On the anterior surface, one or more inserts are provided which define cavities in the inserts, between the inserts or between the insert(s) and the side walls. The inserts may be single piece with the anterior surface or not, and may or may not be comprised of the same material, for instance expanded polypropylene.

The cavity/cavities of the rigidifying layer is/are dimensioned to fit electronic components snugly, and comprise crush ribs to ensure a good retention of the electronics. This makes sure there are no moving components in the rebound board, while remaining lightweight. The cavity/cavities is/are preferably dimensioned to provide free space behind the front panel of the rebound board when fitted with the electronics (the rigidifying layer is deeper than the electronic components are ‘high’) , creating the necessary empty space within the rigidifying layer to rebound the ball excellently.

The rigidifying layer may comprise a number of anchoring points of a sturdier material, to which anchoring elements can connect to attach the separate layers to each other. The material of the rigidifying layer itself may not be strong enough to allow fastening of such anchoring elements as bolts, screws and the likes, without the risk of these coming loose, for instance by tearing the rigidifying layer over time due to use of the rebound board. These anchoring elements are plastically deformable elements, and can comprise polypropylene for instance.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board further comprises a back panel having an outer and inner surface, wherein the back panel is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the rigidifying layer, preferably adjacent thereto and preferably in contact therewith. The outer surface of the back panel for example lies parallel and preferably in contact with the inner surface of the rigidifying layer. This embodiment creates a sandwich structure wherein the rigidifying layer is placed between the front panel and the back panel. I n alternative embodiments of the present invention, the rebound board does not comprise a back panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention all or some of the electronic sensors or em itters of the rebound board, for example the microphones of the player impact sensing assembly, the sensors of the panel impact sensing assembly or lights of a light emitting assembly, are provided within the rigidifying layer. They are preferably provided within openings in the rigidifying layer, wherein the openings preferably extend up to the front panel such as to enable the substantially unhindered passage of a signal such as sound or light from the front panel to the electronic sensors or em itters. Some or all of the electronic sensors and em itters may also, or alternatively, be provided on the back panel, in which case the openings in the rigidifying layer preferably extend throughout the rigidifying layer.

Preferably, substantially all of the electronic components of the rebound board are provided within the rigidifying layer (microphone, sensors, light sources, battery, speaker, comm unication module, processor, etc., depending on their presence in the rebound board) . This ensures proper retention as well as protection for the fragile components. The rigidifying layer preferably has shock-absorbent qualities to some extent, to reduce impact of the ball on the rebound board, so the electronics remain relatively unaffected in their functionalities, while maintaining its rebounding qualities.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board further comprises a light em itting assembly arranged to display information to a player. The information is for example one of the random stimuli for em ulating match like situations as described above. Preferably the light em itting assembly is provided on the side of the inner surface of the front panel, in which case the front panel is preferably arranged to transmit light. Preferably the front panel is a light diffusor. The light em itting assembly preferably comprises at least one light source such as an LED segment. An LED segment is for example a LED PCB comprising a line of LEDs for example a line of 5 LEDs. Preferably, multiple light sources are provided, wherein the light sources are grouped together in one or more sets. I n an embodiment such a set of light sources comprises seven LED segments forming a seven segment number display. This configuration enables to display decimal numbers to the player. As an example two such sets can be provided next to each other thereby forming two adjacent seven segment number displays enabling to display the numbers 00 up to 99. This information is for example one of the stimuli em ulating match like situations as described above. The player could for example be tasked to shoot the ball towards the rebound board or the location of a rebound board displaying a given number. Alternatively, or additionally, the numbers could for example display a player’s score or a countdown timer. Preferably, the light em itting assembly comprises at least two light sources of a different color. The light emitting assembly for example comprises a red and a green light source. The color information is for example one of the stim uli em ulating match like situations as described above. The player could for example be tasked to shoot the ball towards the green rebound board and not towards the red rebound boards. Alternatively, or additionally, the different colors could be used to indicate whether or not the player shot the ball to the correct rebound board or to the correct location on the targeted rebound board.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light em itting assembly comprises one or more light sources, one or more reflector elements and optionally one or more heat sinks. The reflector element is configured to optimally direct light from the light source(s) forward with a lim ited beam angle, to ensure that the player can see the light even under very bright circumstances. The reflector element is positioned in front of the light sources, with the heat sink, if present, being positioned at the back side of the light sources.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light em itting assembly comprises one or more heat sinks.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one microphone of the player impact sensing assembly is arranged to receive airborne sound com ing towards the outer surface of the front panel. The microphone is in particular arranged to receive sound com ing from the side of the outer surface of the front panel, for example sound com ing from the player using the rebound board. To that end, the m icrophone is preferably directed in a direction substantially along the normal of the outer surface of the front panel. The microphone will in particular sense the sound of the impact of the ball on the player using the rebound board. This is in particular the sound of the player receiving the ball, controlling the ball and shooting the ball. The microphone will normally also pick up other sound for example com ing from the player’s voice. Preferably, the rebound board therefore comprises a sound filter coupled to the microphone, arranged to single out sound com ing from the impact from the ball on the player. The filter for example singles out the sound com ing from the impact from the ball on the player based on the duration and frequency spectrum of the received pulse of sound. This could for example be executed in a processor in the rebound board. It is possible that the impact of the ball on the front panel creates an airborne sound that resembles the sound of the impact of the ball on the player. I n order to single out the player-ball impact sound, the rebound board is for example arranged to eliminate airborne sound that coincides with a signal that is detected by the panel impact sensing assembly. This could for example be executed in the processor of the rebound board. As will be described below with respect to the method of the present invention, the m icrophone thus enables to detect the first impact of the ball on the player, and the last impact of the ball on the player, thereby enabling to calculate the time between those impacts by means of a processor provided in the rebound board. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one m icrophone of the player impact sensing assembly is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the front panel, preferably within the rigidifying layer such as in the aforementioned openings in the rigidifying layer. I n this embodiment, the microphone is preferably directed towards the inner surface of the front panel. Preferably, the front panel has a through hole at the position of the m icrophone such that the sound can reach the m icrophone in a substantially unhindered manner.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board further comprises a background sound detecting assembly comprising at least one m icrophone configured for detecting background sound. Background sound preferably refers to airborne sound that is not generated in front of the rebound board, for example airborne sound that is generated behind the rebound board, i.e. that is generated on the side of the inner surface of the rigidifying layer or of the back panel if present. To that end, the m icrophone of the background sound detecting assembly is preferably directed in a direction substantially along the normal of the inner surface of the front panel. The background sound is in particular sound that is generated by the impact of a ball on another player, i.e. other than the present player using the present rebound board in which the background sound detecting assembly is provided. I n an embodiment, m ultiple training assemblies each having one or more rebound boards are provided for other players to use in the vicinity of the present rebound board. Alternatively, other players m ight be playing with a ball without a rebound board in the vicinity of the present rebound board. The sound that is generated by the impact of a ball on these “other players” m ight also be picked up by the player impact sensing assembly of the present rebound board which might label this sound as being the first or last ball impact of the present player. This might lead to a wrongful calculation of the “time on ball” parameter. By providing the background sound detecting assembly, the rebound board can check whether a detected “ball-player impact” corresponds to a ball impact with the present player of the present rebound board or corresponds to a ball impact with another player, for example by comparing the amplitude of the detected sound by the player impact detecting assembly and the background sound detecting assembly. I ndeed, due to the directionality of the microphones, the sound of ball impact on the present player will have a larger amplitude when detected by the player impact sensing assembly than when detected by the background sound detecting assembly and vice versa in case of the sound of ball impact on another player. According to an embodiment the at least one m icrophone of the background sound detecting assembly is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the front panel, preferably within the rigidifying layer such as within openings of the rigidifying layer. I n this embodiment, these m icr ophones are directed away from the inner surface of the front panel. Preferably, the rigidifying layer (in particular starting from its inner surface) and if applicable the back panel have a through hole at the position of the m icrophone such that the sound can reach the microphone in a substantially unhindered manner.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the panel impact sensing assembly comprises an array of sensors such as piezosensors or accelerometers. I n an embodiment, the array of sensors of the impact sensing assembly are distributed over the area of the front panel, for example in an array of two rows and five columns. I n an embodiment, the player can be prompted by means of stimuli to shoot the ball in a particular region of the rebound board. The stim uli can for example be the light emitting assembly being lit only in the particular target region of the rebound board or with a specific color in the particular target region of the rebound board. The sensors of the panel impact sensing assembly are for example grouped, for example by means of a software implementation, into multiple regions such as a left, m iddle and right region. It has been found that providing piezosensors is particularly advantageous when the rebound panel is divided in the aforementioned regions, because piezosensors provide a more reliable reading of the impact location. According to an embodiment of the present invention further sensors, preferably accelerometers, are provided in the rebound board such as to determ ine the speed of impact of the ball on the front panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board further comprises a support assembly configured to support the remainder of the rebound board. The support assembly is in particular configured to create a counter moment against the impact of the ball on the front panel. To that end, the support assembly comprises a ground contacting part configured to rest on the ground and an attachment part coupled to the ground contacting part, the attachment part being configured to attach the remainder of the rebound board thereto. This attachment can be achieved via such means as magnets, screws, buttons, tape, Velcro, hooks and/or others types of attachment components. These means are preferably provided at the rear side of the rebound board. Magnetic attachment provides further advantages, such as being able to attach the rebound board to other metallic surfaces, thereby overcoming the need for a support assembly, as well as being easy to use (many mechanical connection systems are vulnerable to gathering dirt and making connection difficult or even impossible) . Preferably the ground contact part comprises protrusions such as spikes or studs arranged to temporarily anchor the ground contact part to the ground.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board comprises a processor arranged to receive and process signals from the sensors such as the panel impact sensing assembly or the player impact sensing assembly, and to transmit signals to the em itters such as to the light em itting assembly. The processor is preferably positioned within the rigidifying layer or on the back panel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board comprises a battery to provide power to the processor, sensors and emitters. Preferably the battery is a removable battery. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board comprises a com munication module, preferably in com munication with the processor, wherein the com m unication module is preferably arranged to com m unicate with a further rebound board within a training assembly such as to com municate which stim uli should be em itted by which rebound board, and/or arranged to com m unicate with a remote device such as a computer or a smartphone for example such as to receive information regarding whether or not the rebound board in question should em it stim uli, or for example such as to transmit the obtained training information such as the accuracy/precision data and the “time on ball” data. The comm unication module preferably comprises an antenna.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rebound board is used in a training and/or testing/screening assembly, i.e. an assembly arranged to train and/or test/screen the above mentioned player’s skills. Further in the description and the claims as filed such a training and/or testing/screening assembly will be simply referred to as a “training assembly”. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a training assembly. The training assembly can comprise a single rebound board as described above. I n this case, the player could for example shoot a ball towards the rebound board in a first direction from a first position, and receive the rebounded ball from a second direction in a second position, the second direction depending on the orientation and shape of the outer surface of the front panel. Alternatively, the player could receive along a first direction a ball from another player or from a machine whilst being in a first position, and shooting the ball from the first position towards the rebound board in a second direction. I n case the training assembly only comprises a single rebound board, the rebound board preferably has multiple target sections as described above, i.e. wherein the panel impact sensing assembly comprises multiple groups of sensors arranged in sections such as a left, m iddle and right section.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a training assembly comprising two or more rebound boards as described above. The rebound boards of the present invention have the advantage of being easily transportable. This enables to easily create different configurations of training assemblies in accordance with the needs of the moment. One possible configuration is to place different rebound boards on a line. Another configuration is to position the two or more rebound boards positioned around a central point for example in a circle, triangle, square or other configuration. I n a particular configuration, the inner and outer surfaces of the front panels of the two or more rebound boards are respectively directed substantially radially outward and substantially radially inward such that a player can operate within the circle enclosed by rebound boards. By providing m ultiple rebound boards, the training assembly can emit random stim uli to the player such as to emulate match like situations. The training assembly can for example randomly indicate one of the rebound boards as the target board for example by lighting up the target board in a particular color. According to an embodiment of the invention, the training system comprises one, two or more camera unit, typically provided on a base structure that allows easy and sturdy deployment (for instance, a broad base). Preferably, the camera unit is provided with a protective element at the front to avoid damage, as it is placed aimed at the player during use, and could be hit by an errant ball. Providing camera units separate from the rebound boards allows more accuracy and improved functionality, as impact from the ball could rattle the board and thus the camera if inbuilt. Furthermore, the rebound boards are typically positioned at ground level, and get dirty, which could reduce visibility for the camera.

The camera unit is preferably connected to one or more (typically to a single master) rebound boards of the assembly, to which it sends its recorded information (captured images and optionally processed information therefrom) . Preferred methods of com munication between the camera unit and the rebound board(s) is WiFi, although other options are possible, for instance short-range comm unication such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band) , etc.

The camera unit captures image data of the player during use, which can either be forwarded to a processor, and/or can be (pre)processed on the camera unit itself. Metrics that are specifically aimed at detecting during processing are one or more of the following: number of touches on ball (and preferably recognition of which foot the player uses, with separate number therefor) , speed of ball, position of player (for instance visualized in a heatmap) , time on ball (increased accuracy over m icrophone) , movement of player (turning, directional, distance, etc.) , passing accuracy (increased accuracy of place of impact) , pose estimation of player, head movement tracking, eye movement tracking, and/or others. Preferably, the camera unit comprises an artificial intelligence (Al ) camera. It is especially interesting to track head movement, as this shows the player scanning his or her surroundings. When combining this with information on ball possession, a more accurate profile can be established on the player, showing when he or she is scanning the surroundings (on or off the ball) , which often shows strong cognitive skills. A further point of interest is pose monitoring, allowing the system or a supervisor to provide efficient feedback to the player on his or her pose during the exercise. Pose monitoring is typically performed by overlaying a simplified model of the player onto the images (“stick figure”) .

I n a particularly preferred embodiment, a first processing step is executed at the camera unit, after which the captured and processed information is sent to the (cloud) server/master rebound board, where it is processed further and more accurately. This allows the first processing step to already generate some relevant metrics ‘live’, which can be displayed or comm unicated via some means (such as speed of ball) via the rebound boards. These live metrics can be displayed via the remote device and/or via the rebound boards (sound via speakers, visual via lights) or peripheral devices therefor (for instance, additional screen linked to the training assembly) . For instance, certain metrics that the camera unit can determ ine, are also determ ined by the rebound boards. These metrics can be compared centrally, along with the data leading up to them , to establish a correct value.

As mentioned, preferably, one of the rebound boards is designated as master, meaning that all com munication to remote devices (for instance, cloud server, central server, smartphone of a user, PC, laptop, etc.) passes through the master rebound board, while the ‘slave’ rebound boards com municate with the master, which then forwards to remote devices. Most preferably, any rebound board can be designated as master, as they all have the necessary components for com munication. I n some variations, the master rebound board is fixed, with the slave boards being equipped with fewer components.

Typically, the master board sets up a WiFi network to which the other rebound boards can connect, meaning that at least one, and preferably all, of the rebound boards comprises a com munication module capable thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for determ ining time on ball of a player. The method comprises the steps of a) providing a training assembly comprising one or more rebound boards as described above, wherein preferably the rebound board comprises the above mentioned light emitting assembly, b) detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, a first impact of the ball on a player, the impact being referred to as the ball reception impact, and marking the time of the ball reception impact. The time is for example marked in a memory connected to the processor of the rebound board. I n an embodiment, m ultiple, for example all, the rebound boards of the training assembly use their player impact sensing assembly to detect the ball reception impact. c) upon detection of the ball reception impact in step b) , detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, further impacts of the ball on the player, the impacts being referred to as ball control impacts, and marking the time of the ball control impacts. The time is for example marked in a memory connected to the processor of the rebound board. I n an embodiment, multiple, for example all, the rebound boards of the training assembly use their player impact sensing assembly to detect the ball reception impact. d) indicating one of the one or more rebound boards of the training assembly as a first target rebound board, preferably by means of the light em itting assembly of the first target rebound board. I n an embodiment, only a section of the first target rebound board is indicated as a target. e) after step d) , detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of the first target rebound board, the impact of the ball on its front panel. This impact indicates that the correct rebound board has been impacted, and thus contributes to a good accuracy/precision score, which information can be transferred to a remote device or can be displayed on one or more of the rebound boards of the training assembly, for example by means of the light emitting assembly. I n embodiments where only a section of the target rebound board is indicated as a target, the impact only contributes to a good accuracy/precision score if the panel impact sensing assembly detects an impact of the ball in the targeted section of the target rebound board. f) upon detecting the ball impact in step e), marking the last ball control impact prior to the impact in step e) as the ball shooting impact. This can for example be done by retrieving the time of the last ball control impact from the memory. The step further comprises calculating the time on ball by subtracting, for example by means of the processor, the marked time of the ball reception impact from the marked time of the ball shooting impact. The time on ball could subsequently be transferred to a remote device, or could be displayed on one or more of the rebound boards of the training assembly.

Calculating the time on ball by means of the above method has the advantage of being more accurate than visually determ ining the time on ball.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, step b) as described above is preceded by the steps: a1 indicating one of the one or more rebound boards of the training assembly as a further target rebound board, preferably by means of the light em itting assembly of the further target rebound board. The further target rebound board can be the same or a different rebound board as the first target rebound board. I n an embodiment, only a section of the first target rebound board is indicated as a target. a2 detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of the further target rebound board the impact of a ball on its front panel. The details of step f) as described above preferably apply mutatis m utandis.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, step b) as described above is performed only upon detection of the ball impact in step a2.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more rebound boards provided in step a) are rebound boards that comprise the background sound detecting assembly. Preferably, steps b) and c) further comprise detecting background sound by means of the background sound detecting assembly of at least one rebound board of the training assembly. It preferably comprises detecting the background sound by means of multiple or all of the rebound boards in the training assembly. Preferably, an impact detected by the player impact sensing assembly is only characterized as the “ball reception impact” or a “ball control impact” if the sensed impact by the player impact sensing assembly is larger than the sim ultaneously sensed impact by the background sound detecting assembly. Preferably this comparison is done based on the signals of the rebound board that detected the largest signal, or alternatively it is done by the comparison of the averaged signals of all or multiple rebound boards.

I n a further embodiment, the system comprises camera units as described above, and the impacts of the ball on the player are detected by one or more of the camera units, wherein the time on ball is alternatively calculated by subtracting the time of detection of a first impact of the ball on the player from the time of detection of a last impact of the ball on the player preceding the impact of the ball on the target rebound board.

I n the above as well as the following methods, it is envisioned that a training assembly as described in this document can be used. I n particular, this allows for the many advantages depicted earlier, for instance the increased accuracy and additional data available from using one or more camera units along with the rebound boards. As mentioned, based on the camera unit images, further information can be determined (see earlier metrics) as well as increasing accuracy on data obtained via the rebound boards. It is understood that the detection steps in these methods can be performed by the camera units (which can provide data to determ ine a time on ball based) as well as with the assemblies in the rebound boards separately, but provides more relevant and more accurate results when used in combination. I n this light, using more than one camera unit, and positioning these spaced apart, is especially useful in creating a better view on the actions of the player and the ball.

Furthermore of note is the increased ease of use, reduction in energy and data consumption found by using a master rebound board to direct comm unication to outside devices, etc.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a computer implemented method for determ ining time on ball of a player, wherein the computer implemented method is configured to be executed on the processor of one or more rebound boards of a training assembly as described above. The computer implemented method comprises the steps of a) detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, a first impact of the ball on a player, the impact being referred to as the ball reception impact, and marking the time of the ball reception impact. The time is for example marked in a memory connected to the processor of the rebound board. I n an embodiment, m ultiple, for example all, the rebound boards of the training assembly use their player impact sensing assembly to detect the ball reception impact. b) upon detection of the ball reception impact in step b) , detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, further impacts of the ball on the player, the impacts being referred to as ball control impacts, and marking the time of the ball control impacts. The time is for example marked in a memory connected to the processor of the rebound board. I n an embodiment, multiple, for example all, the rebound boards of the training assembly use their player impact sensing assembly to detect the ball reception impact. c) indicating one of the one or more rebound boards of the training assembly as a first target rebound board, preferably by means of the light em itting assembly of the first target rebound board. I n an embodiment, only a section of the first target rebound board is indicated as a target. d) after step d) , detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of the first target rebound board, the impact of the ball on its front panel. This impact indicates that the correct rebound board has been impacted, and thus contributes to a good accuracy/precision score, which information can be transferred to a remote device or can be displayed on one or more of the rebound boards of the training assembly, for example by means of the light emitting assembly. I n embodiments were only a section of the target rebound board is indicated as a target, the impact only contributes to a good accuracy/precision score if the panel impact sensing assembly detects an impact of the ball in the targeted section of the target rebound board. e) upon detecting the ball impact in step e), marking the last ball control impact prior to the impact in step e) as the ball shooting impact. This can for example be done by retrieving the time of the last ball control impact from the memory. The step further comprises calculating the time on ball by subtracting, for example by means of the processor, the marked time of the ball reception impact from the marked time of the ball shooting impact. The time on ball could subsequently be transferred to a remote device, or could be displayed on one or more of the rebound boards of the training assembly.

Fl GURES

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a rebound board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the rigidifying layer of the rebound board shown in figure 1 .

Figure 3 shows cross-sections of the rigidifying layer of figure 2 along a plane perpendicular to the width of the rebound board at positions AA, BB, CC and DD as indicated in figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the back of the rigidifying layer of figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the support assembly of the rebound board shown in figure 1 .

Figure 6 shows a training assembly comprising five rebound boards as shown in figure 1 . Figure 7 shows an exemplary output of the player impact sensing assembly of the rebound board of figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of the electronic components in the rebound board of figure 1 .

DESCRI PTI ON OF THE Fl GURES

The present invention is directed to a sport training and performance screening/testing device that allows an individual player to improve his/her shooting accuracy and precision whilst limiting his/her time on ball as m uch as possible e.g. such as to improve his/her agility. To that end, the present invention provides a rebound board for rebounding a ball such as a football received from a player. An embodiment of this rebound board 1 is shown in figure 1 . This rebound board 1 and its components is shown in more detail in figures 2-5 and 7. Figure 6 shows m ultiple rebound boards 1 arranged in a training assembly 2.

As is shown in the figures, the rebound board 1 comprises a front panel 3 having an outer surface 4 and inner surface 5. The outer surface 4 is configured for being impacted by the ball and for subsequently rebounding the ball. The rebound direction depends on the angle between the outer surface 4 at impact location and the incom ing direction of the ball. The outer surface 4 has a flat shape, making the rebound direction easily predictable. The front panel is attached to a rigidifying layer 6 of the rebound board 1 by means of bolts extending through bolt holes 7 in the front panel 3 and into the rigidifying layer 6. The rigidifying layer 6 is a foam layer arranged to enhance the rebounding of the ball on the front panel 3 and arranged to hold all the electronics, that is for example the sensors, emitters, processors and batteries of the rebound board 1. It is noted that in the figures, in general the electronics are not shown inside of the rigidifying layer 6. What is shown are the openings provided in the rigidifying layer 6 in which the electronics are to be received. As an exception, figure 1 shown some of the electronics in explode view. The rigidifying layer 6 is delim ited by a flat outer surface 8 and a flat inner surface 9. The inner surface 5 of the front panel 3 is also flat, such as to facilitate coupling between the front panel 3 and the rigidifying layer 6 and such as to enhance the rebounding of the ball on the front panel 3. I n particular, the outer surface 8 of the rigidifying layer 6 lies adjacent and in contact with the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3. This configuration ensures that the rigidifying layer 6 optimally rigidities the front panel 3 such as to ensure an optimal rebounding of the ball. The inner surface 9 of the rigidifying layer 6 comprises three cut-outs 11 each arranged to receive a carrying hook 12 of a support assembly 13. The cut-outs 1 1 and carrying hooks 12 enable to releasably connect the rigidifying layer 6 to the support assembly 13, thereby facilitating storing and transport of the rebound board 1 . The rigidifying layer 6 and the attached front panel 3 comprise a handle opening 14 enabling to easily transport these elements. The support assembly 13 is configured to support the remainder of the rebound board 1 , i.e. the rigidifying layer 6 and the front panel 3. The support assembly 13 is in particular configured to create a counter moment against the impact of the ball on the front panel 3. To that end, the support assembly comprises a ground contacting part 15 configured to rest on the ground and an attachment part 16 coupled to the ground contacting part 15. The attachment part 16 is configured to attach the remainder of the rebound board thereto by means of the aforementioned carrying hooks 12. The ground contact part 15 comprises spikes 16 arranged to temporarily anchor the ground contact 15 part to the ground. The volume between the ground contacting part 15 and the attachment part 16 is filled with a ballast material, in particular water. To that end, the ground contacting part 15 and the attachment part 16 are both walls that are part of a reservoir.

The rebound board 1 comprises a panel impact sensing assembly configured for sensing the impact of the ball on the front panel. The panel impact sensing assembly comprises two rows of five piezosensors provided in corresponding openings 10 in the rigidifying layer 6. The openings 10 are open at the outer surface 8 of the rigidifying layer 6 such that the piezosensors can be in contact with the front panel 3. The piezosensors are in com munication with a central processor 17 held in a corresponding opening 18 in the rigidifying layer 6. Connecting channels are provided in the rigidifying layer 6 to hold comm unication cables connecting the piezosensors to the central processor 17. The rebound board 1 further comprises two antenna’s 27, only one of which is shown in figure 1. Both antennas 27 are received in corresponding openings 28 in the rigidifying layer 6. Both openings 28 are shown in figure 1 . The antennas 27 are in com m unication with the central processor 17 through com munication cables held in connecting channels provided in the rigidifying layer 6. The antennas 27 are used to comm unicate between m ultiple rebound boards 1 of the training assembly 2 and to com municate with a remote device such as a phone of a user.

The rebound board 1 comprises a player impact sensing assembly comprising one m icrophone 19 configured for detecting airborne sound generated by the impact of the ball on the player. The m icrophone 19 is held in a corresponding opening 20 in the rigidifying layer 6. The m icrophone 19 is in com munication with the central processor 17 through com munication cables held in connecting channels provided in the rigidifying layer 6. The microphone 19 is arranged to receive airborne sound com ing towards the outer surface 4 of the front panel 3. The microphone is in particular arranged to receive sound com ing from the side of the outer surface 4 of the front panel 3, for example sound com ing from the player using the rebound board 1 . To that end, the microphone is directed in a direction substantially along the normal of the outer surface 4 of the front panel 3. The microphone 19 will in particular sense the sound of the impact of the ball on the player using the rebound board. This is in particular the sound of the player receiving the ball, controlling the ball and shooting the ball. The microphone will normally also pick up other sound for example coming the player’s voice. The rebound board 1 therefore comprises a sound filter implemented in the central PCT 17, arranged to single out sound com ing from the impact from the ball on the player. The filter singles out the sound com ing from the impact from the ball on the player based on the duration and frequency spectrum of the received pulse of sound. As will be described below with respect to figure 7, the microphone 19 enables to detect the first impact of the ball on the player, and the last impact of the ball on the player, thereby enabling to calculate the time between those impacts by means of the processor 17. The microphone 19 is positioned on the side of the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3, more particularly within the rigidifying layer 6 in the aforementioned opening 20 in the rigidifying layer 6. The m icrophone 19 is directed towards the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3.

The rebound board 1 comprises a background sound detecting assembly comprising one m icrophone 29 configured for detecting background sound. Background sound here refers to airborne sound that is not generated in front of the rebound board 1 , for example airborne sound that is generated behind the rebound board 1 , i.e. that is generated on the side of the inner surface 9 of the rigidifying layer 6. To that end, the m icrophone 29 is directed in a direction substantially along the normal of the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3. The background sound comprises for example sound that is generated by the impact of a ball on another player, i.e. other than the present player using the present rebound board 1 in which the background sound detecting assembly is provided. By providing the background sound detecting assembly, the rebound board 1 can check whether a detected “ball-player impact” corresponds to a ball impact with the present player of the present rebound board 1 or corresponds to a ball impact with another player, for example by comparing the amplitude of the detected sound by the player impact detecting assembly and the background sound detecting assembly. I ndeed, due to the directionality of the m icrophones 19, 29 the sound of ball im pact on the present player will have a larger am plitude when detected by the player impact sensing assem bly than when detected by the background sound detecting assem bly and vice versa in case of the sound of ball im pact on another player. The m icrophone 29 of the background sound detecting assem bly is positioned on the side of the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3, more particularly within the aforem entioned opening 20 in the rigidifying layer 6, and the m icrophone 29 is directed away from the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3. The opening 20 is open in the inner surface 9 of the rigidifying layer 6 at the position of the m icrophone 29 such that the sound can reach the m icrophone 29 in a substantially unhindered m anner. The m icrophone 29 is in com m unication with the central processor 17 through com m unication cables held in connecting channels provided in the rigidifying layer 6.

The rebound board 1 comprises a light em itting assembly arranged to display information to a player. The inform ation is for exam ple one of the random stim uli for em ulating m atch like situations as described above. The light em itting assem bly is provided on the side of the inner surface 5 of the front panel 3. Therefore, the front panel 3 is arranged to transm it light. I n particular, the front panel 3 is a light diffusor. The light em itting assem bly comprises two sets each comprising a set of seven addressable RGB LED segments 21 . Each set of seven LED segm ents 21 forms a seven segment display i.e. arranged such that when all seven segments are lit the set displays the figure eight. I n figure 1 only one set of seven LED segments 21 is shown. Each set 21 is however received in a corresponding set of openings 22 in the rigidifying layer 6. Figure 1 does show both sets of openings 22. Each LED segment of the set 21 com prises an LED PCB 23, a reflector 24, a heat sink 25 and a pair of fitting elem ents 26. The light sources are in com m unication with the central processor 17 through com m unication cables held in connecting channels provided in the rigidifying layer 6. I n use the player is prompted by m eans of stim uli to shoot the ball in a particular region of the rebound board 1 . The stim uli is in particular the light em itting assembly being lit only in the particular target region of the rebound board 1 . The piezosensors of the panel im pact sensing assembly are grouped by m eans of a software im plementation, into m ultiple regions com prising a left, m iddle and right region.

The rebound board 1 further com prises an accelerom eter, provided in a corresponding opening in the rigidifying layer 6. The accelerom eter is arranged to determ ine the speed of im pact of the ball on the front panel 3. The accelerometer is in com munication with the central processor 17 by being provided on the same PCB as the processor 17.

The rebound board comprises an on/off button in connection with the processor 17 by means of a com munication cable in a connecting channel of the rigidifying layer 6. The on/off button is provided in an opening 32 provided in the rigidifying layer 6.

The rebound board 1 comprises a removable battery 30 to provide power to the processor 17, sensors (in particular the piezosensors, the m icrophones 19, 29, the accelerometer and the antennas 27) and emitters (in particular the light em itting assembly and the antennas 27). The battery 30 is shielded from the environment by means of a protective plate 31 . The battery is provided in an opening 33 in the rigidifying layer 6.

The rebound board 1 is used in a training assembly 2, i.e. an assembly arranged to train the above mentioned player’s skills. The training assembly 2 shown in figure 6 comprises six rebound boards 1 as described above positioned around a central point in a circle wherein the inner and outer surfaces 4, 5 of the front panels 3 of the rebound boards 1 are respectively directed substantially radially inward and substantially radially outward. By providing multiple rebound boards, the training assembly 2 can em it random stimuli to the player such as to emulate match like situations. The training assembly can for example random ly indicate one of the rebound boards 1 as the target board for example by lighting up the target board in a particular color.

The different electronic components of the rebound board 1 are shown schematically in figure 8. Here the following acronyms have the following meaning:

• PL8 is the name of the rebound board 1 ,

• PES stands for a piezoelectric sensor of the panel impact sensing assembly,

• PCB stands for printed circuit board,

• SBC stands for system based chip and corresponds to the processor 17,

• MCU stands for m icrocontroller unit and is arranged to drive the light em itting assembly,

• ACC stands for the accelerometer,

• WiFi corresponds to the comm unication unit of the rebound board 1 which for example com m unicates according to standard I EEE 802.1 1 . The antenna 27 is part of this com munication unit. • MI C_F stands for the forward microphone, i.e. the m icrophone 19 of the player impact sensing assembly,

• MI C_B stands for the backward microphone, i.e. the microphone 29 of the background sound detecting assembly,

• PSU stands for power supply unit and is in comm unication with the 24V battery which corresponds with battery 30.

The rebound board 1 is configured for determ ining time on ball of the player. To that end, the rebound board comprises components as described above. These components enable to implement a method for determ ining time on ball of a player. Figure 7 shows an example reading from the player impact sensing assembly of one of the rebound boards 1 in the training assembly 2 during the performance of the method. Here, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is the measured sound amplitude in dB. The method comprises the steps of

• providing the training assembly 2,

• indicating one of the rebound boards 1 of the training assembly 2 as a target rebound board, called “rebound board one”. This is done by means of the light em itting assembly of rebound board one.

• detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of rebound board one the impact of a ball on its front panel 3. This step is shown as the first “hit” in figure 7. I ndeed, also the player impact sensing assembly detects the impact of the ball on the front panel, because this impact also creates airborne sound.

• detecting with the player impact sensing assemblies all the rebound boards 1 from the training assembly 2, a first impact of the ball on a player, the impact being referred to as the “ball reception impact”, and marking the time of the ball reception impact. The time is marked in a memory connected to the processor 17 of one of the rebound boards 1 . This step is shown as “control” in figure 7.

• upon detection of the ball reception impact in the preceding step, detecting with the player impact sensing assemblies of the rebound boards 1 from the training assembly 2, further impacts of the ball on the player, the impacts being referred to as “ball control impacts”, and marking the time of the ball control impacts. The time is marked in the memory connected to the processor 17 of one of the rebound boards 1 . This step is shown as “pass” in figure 7, i.e. in the present example only a single impact was detected. • indicating one of the rebound boards 1 of the training assembly 2 as a target rebound board 1 , further referred to as “rebound board two”. This indicating is done by means of the light em itting assembly of rebound board two.

• detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of rebound board two, the impact of the ball on its front panel 3. This impact indicates that the correct rebound board has been impacted, and thus contributes to a good accuracy/precision score, which information is transferred by means of antenna 27 to a remote device and which is displayed on one or more of the rebound boards 1 of the training assembly 2 by means of their light em itting assembly. This step is shown as the second “hit” in figure 7. I ndeed, also the player impact sensing assembly detects the impact of the ball on the front panel 3, because this impact also creates airborne sound.

• upon detecting the ball impact in the preceding step, marking the last ball control impact prior to the impact in the preceding step as the “ball shooting impact”. This is done by retrieving the time of the last “ball control impact” from the memory. I n the example shown in figure 7, only one ball control impact had been identified, and this impact will thus be the “ball shooting impact”. The step further comprises calculating the time on ball by subtracting, by means of the processor 17, the marked time of the ball reception impact from the marked time of the ball shooting impact. The time on ball is subsequently transferred by means of antenna 27 to the remote device, and is displayed on one or more of the rebound boards 1 of the training assembly 2 by means of their light em itting assembly.

Claims

24

CLAI MS

1 . A rebound board for rebounding a ball such as a football received from a player, the rebound board comprising:

• a front panel having an outer surface and inner surface, the outer surface being configured for being impacted by the ball,

• a panel impact sensing assembly configured for sensing the impact of the ball on the front panel, and

• a player impact sensing assembly comprising at least one microphone configured for detecting airborne sound generated by the impact of the ball on the player.

2. The rebound board according to the first claim configured for determining time on ball of the player.

3. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rebound board further comprises a rigidifying layer having an outer and inner surface, wherein rigidifying layer is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the front panel.

4. The rebound board according to the preceding claim wherein the rigidifying layer is a foam layer preferably comprising and more preferably made of expanded polypropylene.

5. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, wherein the panel impact sensing assembly and the player impact sensing assembly are each at least partially, and preferably substantially completely, provided within the rigidifying layer.

6. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rebound board further comprises a light emitting assembly arranged to display information to a player.

7. The rebound board according to the preceding claim wherein the front panel is a light diffusor.

8. The rebound board according to anyone of the preceding claims 6 to 7 wherein the light emitting assembly comprises multiple LED segments, arranged in sets of seven LED segments each form ing a seven segment number display.

9. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one m icrophone of the player impact sensing assembly is arranged to receive sound com ing towards the outer surface of the front panel.

10. The rebound board according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 3 wherein the at least one microphone of the player impact sensing assembly is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the front panel and wherein the m icrophone is directed towards the inner surface of the front panel. 1. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rebound board further comprises a background sound detecting assembly comprising at least one m icrophone configured for detecting background sound. 2. The rebound board according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 3 wherein the at least one m icrophone of the background sound detecting assembly is positioned on the side of the inner surface of the front panel and wherein the m icrophone is directed away from the inner surface of the front panel. 3. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panel impact sensing assembly comprises an array of piezosensors. 4. The rebound board according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a com munication module, said comm unication module configured for wireless com munication, preferably via WiFi. 5. A training assembly comprising two or more rebound boards according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two or more rebound boards are preferably positioned around a central point. 6. The training assembly according to the preceding claim wherein the inner and outer surfaces of the front panels of the two or more rebound boards are respectively directed substantially radially outward and substantially radially inward. 7. The training assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 15 or 16, wherein the rebound boards comprise a comm unication module for wireless com munication between the rebound boards, and preferably whereby the com munication modules are configured for wireless comm unication to remote devices, most preferably wherein said wireless comm unication is via WiFi. 8. The training assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 15 to 17, further comprising one or more camera units for image and video capturing, said camera units comprising a wireless com munication module configured for com municating with one or more of the rebound boards and/or remote devices, preferably via WiFi. 9. A method for determ ining time on ball of a player, the method comprising the steps of a) providing a training assembly comprising one or more rebound boards according to any one of the preceding claims, preferably in combination with claim 6, b) detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, a first impact of the ball on a player, the impact being referred to as the ball reception impact, and marking the time of the ball reception impact, c) upon detection of the ball reception impact in step b) , detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, further impacts of the ball on the player, the impacts being referred to as ball control impacts, and marking the time of the ball control impacts, d) indicating one of the one or more rebound boards of the training assembly as a first target rebound board, preferably by means of the light em itting assembly of the first target rebound board, e) after step d) , detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of the first target rebound board, the impact of the ball on its front panel, f) upon detecting the ball impact in step e), marking the last ball control impact prior to the impact in step e) as the ball shooting impact, and calculating the time on ball by subtracting the marked time of the ball reception impact from the marked time of the ball shooting impact. The method according to the preceding claim wherein step b) is preceded by the steps: a1 indicating one of the one or more rebound boards of the training assembly as a further target rebound board, preferably by means of the light em itting assembly of the further target rebound board, a2 detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of the further target rebound board the impact of a ball on its front panel, and wherein step b) is performed upon detection of the ball impact in step a2. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 19 to 20 wherein the one or more rebound boards provided in step a) are rebound boards according to claim 11 , and wherein steps b) and c) further comprise detecting background sound by means of the background sound detecting assembly of at least one rebound board of the training assembly, and wherein an impact detected by the player impact sensing assembly is only characterized as the “ball reception impact” or a “ball control impact” if the sensed impact by the player impact sensing assembly is larger than the sim ultaneously sensed impact by the background sound detecting assembly. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 19 to 21 , wherein the training assembly is a training assembly according to the preceding claim 18, and the impacts of the ball on the player are detected by one or more of the 27 camera units, wherein the time on ball is alternatively calculated by subtracting the time of detection of a first impact of the ball on the player from the time of detection of a last impact of the ball on the player preceding the impact of the ball on the target rebound board.

23. A computer implemented method for determining time on ball of a player for a training assembly comprising one or more rebound boards according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 18, preferably of claim 6, the method comprising the steps of a) detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, a first impact of the ball on a player, the impact being referred to as the ball reception impact, and marking the time of the ball reception impact, b) upon detection of the ball reception impact in step a) , detecting with the player impact sensing assembly of at least one rebound board from the training assembly, further impacts of the ball on the player, the impacts being referred to as ball control impacts, and marking the time of the ball control impacts, c) indicating one of the one or more rebound boards of the training assembly as a first target rebound board, preferably by means of the light em itting assembly of the first target rebound board, d) after step c) , detecting with the panel impact sensing assembly of the first target rebound board, the impact of the ball on its front panel, e) upon detecting the ball impact in step d) , marking the last ball control impact prior to the impact in step d) as the ball shooting impact, and calculating the time on ball by subtracting the marked time of the ball reception impact from the marked time of the ball shooting impact.

24. The computer-implemented method according to the preceding claim 23, wherein the training assembly is a training assembly according to the preceding claim 18, and the impacts of the ball on the player are detected by one or more of the camera units, wherein the time on ball is alternatively calculated by subtracting the time of detection of a first impact of the ball on the player from the time of detection of a last impact of the ball on the player preceding the impact of the ball on the target rebound board.