Basketball training aid

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of athletic training devices, and more particularly to a device for greatly increasing the defensive challenge in the sport of basketball.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the prior art, means of basketball training aids try to simulate defensive opponents so the user can practice and sharpen offensive skills, yet it does not create an intense game like situation, which is critical to the process of of sharpening an offensive players skills. They are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical device for effective practice to improve an offensive players skills and abilities in regards to perimeter shooting, ball handling, and post up moves.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,993 (1996) issued to Lipsett describes a moveable basketball training device that includes elongated arms that simulate the outstretched arms of a basketball defender. This device presents the user with a simulated defensive player's outstretched arms but it does not create an intense game like situation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,808 (1985) issued to Holland discloses a device where the user stands inside a cage of tubular framework and shoots while attempting to dodge pairs of simulated arms. Although this device provides the user with somewhat of a defensive partner the user is not challenged when making a jumpshot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device that will greatly improve an average defender's ability to provide an intense challenge to an offensive player that is attempting to improve his/her skills.

Several objects and advantages of the persent invention are:

• • (a) to provide a basketball training device which is ideal for tapping a shooter's arm or disrupting a shooters vision of the basket, causing an intense distraction without inflicting pain or injury.
  • (b) to provide a basketball training device that allows a defender to pressure an offensive player's ball handling with ease, despite a possible lack in athletic ability.
  • (c) to provide a basketball training device that gives you an awareness of how far a great shot blocker will be able to extend to block your shot
  • (d) to provide a basketball training device that will challenge an inside post player developing low post moves, despite the height of the person using the device.
  • (e) to provide a basketball training device that is light weight, durable, and easily transported from one facility to another.
  • (f) to provide a basketball training device that will help injured players keep their skills up without the risk of serious physical contact that could cause reinjury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. (1.) is a front elevational view of the present invention, the back of the present invention being a mirror image.

• • (a) is a front elevational view of said inventions oversized foam hand, the back of the present invention being a mirror image.
  • (b) is a front elevational view of said inventions cylindrical pole, the back of the present invention being a mirror image.
  • (c) is a front elevational view of said inventions foam grip handle, the back of the present invention being a mirror image.

FIG. 2) is a bottom elevational view of said inventions foam grip handle.

FIG. 3) is a right side elevational view of said inventions oversized foam hand, the left ide of the present invention being a mirror image.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This device provides a simple, effective way to increase the defensive pressure applied to a perimeter shooter, ball handler, or post player. The device is to be held at the bottom of foam handle (FIG. 1c) and used as an extension of one's own hand to distract the offensive player in a number of ways

• • (a) Blocking the offensive player's vision of the basket
  • (b) Attempting to the block the offensive player's shot at the peak of the shooter's release
  • (c) Tapping the offensive player's elbow or wrist as they release the ball
  • (d) Attempting to strip the offensive player as they bring the ball into shooting position
  • (e) Attempting to steal the ball during the act of ball handling

Intensity of the practice session can vary depending on what the offensive players particular objectives and goals are. If the offensive player just wants a mild distraction the person holding the device can disrupt the shooters vision of the basket by placing the foam hand (FIG. 1a) in the face of the shooter. If the offensive player wants a greater challenge the person holding the device can attempt to the block the offensive players shot, strip the offensive player while ball handling, or tap the shooters arm. This device will greatly improve the extension of the defensive player (42 in. in length) and will make up for any lack of size or quickness a defensive player may give give up to the offensive player.

This device consists of a wooden cylinder or material of similar strength or texture, (36 in. length) (¾ in diameter) 31.5 in. is concealed within half inch polyurethane foam or other similar material, of any color, which is both light weight and durable. (FIG. 1b) At the bottom end of the device is a 5 in. length by one-quarter inch thick polyurethane foam or other similar material which is both light weight and durable grip handle, that snuggly fits over the wooden cylinder or material of similar strength and texture. A hand pattern measuring 8×7 in. is cut out or molded out of (1⅜ in.) polyurethane foam or other similar material which is both light weight and durable. An internal cylindrical shaft with the internal diameter of (¾ in.) is cut out or molded from the central base or bottom of the hand. The pole is to be inserted therein inserted therin extending upward internally approximately 3.5 in. forming a snug bond between hand and pole. Another aspect of the construction of the embodiments would be for the hand to be molded into the pole, creating a single embodiment.