Apparatus, system and method for training overhand throwing mechanics

• US 20100216578A1
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott David Compton
• Original Assignee: Scott David Compton
• Inventors: Mejia Perez, Cesar Emilio
• Granted Patent: US 7,927,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/452
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0057 Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for training the overhand throwing motion. The apparatus comprises a first end having a first altitude relative to a throwing surface; an opposing second end having a second altitude relative to the throwing surface; and an unobstructed guiding surface interconnecting the first end to the second end and defining a slope there between.

Claims

1. An apparatus for training the overhand throwing motion comprising:

a first end having a first altitude relative to a throwing surface;

an opposing second end having a second altitude relative to the throwing surface; and

an unobstructed guiding surface interconnecting the first end to the second end and defining a slope there between;

wherein the slope defining the guiding surface is different than the slope defining the throwing surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guiding surface is flexible.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guiding surface is rigid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first altitude is adjustable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the length of the guiding surface is adjustable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end terminates at the throwing surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guiding surface curves along a vertical plane.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guiding surface includes at least a first visual indicator located nearer to the first end than the second end of the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the maximum height of the apparatus is greater in distance than the maximum width of the guiding surface.

10. A method for dictating the path in space of the stride foot while performing the overhand throwing motion, comprising:

providing a training apparatus on a throwing surface, the training apparatus comprising a first end, a second end, and a guiding surface interconnecting the first end to the second end, the guiding surface being adjustable in altitude;

performing the act of throwing including (a) standing on the throwing surface adjacent the training apparatus in a starting position, (b) directing the stride foot from the throwing surface to a contact point on the guiding surface, (c) directing the stride foot along the guiding surface toward the second end until the stride foot reaches a removal point off the guiding surface, (d) directing the stride foot from the removal point to a landing spot on the throwing surface adjacent the training apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the slope of the guiding surface is different than the slope defining the throwing surface.

12. The method of claim 10 whereby a natural relationship with the throwing surface is maintained while performing the overhand throwing motion.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the training apparatus is operationally configured to prevent the premature landing of the stride foot upon the throwing surface during the stride phase of the overhand throwing motion.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the stride foot is directed along the guiding surface while applying the least amount of pressure from the stride foot upon the guiding surface during the stride phase of the overhand throwing motion.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the maximum altitude of the training apparatus establishes the minimum altitude of the stride foot during the initial leg lift of the windup phase of the overhand throwing motion.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising preventing the center of gravity from shifting forward toward the second end past the center line as the stride foot is directed along the guiding surface.

17. A method for directing the side of the lead hip on a substantially direct path toward a throwing target during the stride phase of the overhand throwing motion, comprising:

providing a training apparatus on a throwing surface apart from a throwing target, the training apparatus comprising (1) a first end at a first altitude, (2) a second end at a second altitude, the second end being closer in proximity to the throwing target than the first end, and (3) an unobstructed guiding surface substantially straight along a horizontal plane and interconnecting the first end to the second end, the guiding surface including a visual indicator;

aligning the guiding surface lengthwise toward the throwing target;

performing the act of throwing by (a) standing on the throwing surface adjacent the training apparatus in a starting position whereby the coronal plane lies in parallel alignment with the guiding surface toward the throwing target, (b) directing the stride foot from the throwing surface to a contact point on the guiding surface, (c) directing the stride foot along the guiding surface toward the second end until the stride foot reaches a removal point of the guiding surface, (d) directing the stride foot from the removal point to a landing spot on the throwing surface adjacent the training apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17 whereby the head is maintained at a distance from the throwing target about equal to the distance of the visual indicator from the throwing target while transferring from the windup phase to the stride phase.

19. The method of claim 17 whereby the stride foot is directed from the removal point at about the same time as the hips begin to rotate open to begin the arm cocking phase of the overhand throwing motion.

20. A system for training overhand throwing mechanics comprising:

a throwing target;

a pitchers mound having a pitching rubber, the pitcher'"'"'s mound being set apart from the throwing target whereby the surface of the pitchers mound between the pitching rubber and the throwing target includes a slope; and

a training apparatus upon the pitchers mound comprising (a) a first end, (b) an opposing second end, and (c) an unobstructed guiding surface interconnecting the first end to the second end and sloping toward the throwing target;

wherein the surface of the pitchers mound includes a starting spot and a landing spot for a pitcher'"'"'s stride foot, each spot being located adjacent the training apparatus.