Device for training soccer players

• US 5,725,444 A
• Filed: 03/12/1997
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald G. Heden
• Original Assignee: Donald G. Heden
• Inventors: Heden, Donald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/819,702
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 473/446, 273/400, 273/401
• US Class Current: 473/446
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/005 Keeping track of the point of impact or entry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/006 Forming a target or goal by fixing net or target area to garage doorway or garage parts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40

Abstract

A device for training soccer players having a rectangular net body and a plurality of pockets. The rectangular net body and pockets are made of flexible net material. The rectangular net body has a plurality of apertures. Each pocket is attached to the perimeter of each aperture and sized to receive at least one soccer ball. The training device may be used in conjunction with a game to develop a player'"'"'s foot and shooting skills.

Claims

1. An athletic training device, which comprises:

a) a flexible body component, said body component having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, said body component having a plurality of apertures, each aperture having a substantially square perimeter; and

b) a plurality of pockets extending outwardly from the plane defined by said body component, said pockets being interconnected to said aperture perimeters, said pockets being adapted to receive at least one soccer ball.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said apertures have a width in the range of 20 to 36 inches and a height in the range of 20 to 36 inches.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said pockets being substantially cubed, said pockets having a width in the range of 20 to 36 inches, a length in the range of 20 to 36 inches and a depth in the range of 20 to 36 inches.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one aperture being located in the range of 4 to 5 feet from the bottom edge of said body component.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rigid garage door frame having a horizontal member and two vertical members, a means for interconnecting said device to said horizontal member and vertical members of said garage door frame.

6. An athletic training device, which comprises:

a) a body component having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, said body component made of flexible net material, said body component being substantially rectangular, said body component having a plurality of apertures, each aperture having an outer perimeter;

b) a plurality of pockets extending outwardly from the plane defined by said body component, said pockets being interconnected to said perimeters of said apertures, said pockets shaped for receiving at least one soccer ball; and

c) an outer cord interconnected to the top edge, bottom edge, and two side edges of said body component.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one aperture perimeter being substantially square, said at least one aperture perimeter having a width in the range of 20 to 36 inches and a height in the range of 20 to 36 inches.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one pocket being substantially cubed, said at least one pocket having a width in the range of 20 to 36 inches, a length in the range of 20 to 36 inches and a depth in the range of 20 to 36 inches.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one aperture being located in the range of 4 to 5 feet from said bottom edge of said body component.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein said flexible netting material is selected from the group of knitted nylon, cotton, hemp, polypropylene, and rayon.

11. The device of claim 6, further comprising a rigid frame having a horizontal member and two vertical members, a means for interconnecting said device to said horizontal member and vertical members of said rigid frame.

12. The device of claim 6, further comprising a rigid garage door frame having a horizontal member and two vertical members, a means for interconnecting said device to said horizontal member and vertical members of rigid garage door frame.

13. The device of claim 6, further comprising a rigid soccer goal frame having a horizontal member and two vertical members, a means for interconnecting said device to said horizontal member and vertical members of said soccer goal frame.

14. A method of assembling an athletic training device, which comprises:

a) cutting a flexible net material into a body component having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges;

b) cutting a plurality of apertures in said body component, each aperture having a substantially square perimeter;

c) forming a plurality of pockets, at least one pocket having an opening that is substantially square;

d) attaching the substantially square opening of at least one pocket to said perimeter of said aperture; and

e) attaching an outer cord to said top edge, bottom edge and side edges of said body component.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said flexible net material is selected from the group consisting of knitted nylon, cotton, hemp, polypropylene, and rayon.

16. A soccer training game, which comprises:

a) a soccer ball; and

b) a soccer training device having a flexible body component, said body component having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, said body component having a plurality of apertures, each aperture having a substantially square perimeter, said training device having a plurality of pockets, said pockets interconnected to said perimeters of said apertures.

17. The soccer training game of claim 16, wherein at least one aperture has a width in the range of 20 to 36 inches and a height in the range of 20 to 36 inches.

18. The soccer training game of claim 16, wherein at least one pocket being substantially cubed, said at least one pocket having a width in the range of 20 to 36 inches, a length in the range of 20 to 36 inches and a depth in the range of 20 to 36 inches.

19. The soccer training game of claim 16, wherein at least one aperture being located in the range of 4 to 5 feet from said bottom edge of said body component.

20. A method of playing a game with a soccer ball and an athletic training device, said training device having a flexible rectangular body component, said body component having at least two corner apertures and a center aperture, said training device having at least two corner pockets, said training device having at least one center pocket, each corner pocket being interconnected to each corner aperture, said center pocket being interconnected to said center aperture, there being at least a first player and a second player, the method comprising:

a) the kicking of said soccer ball by said first player through at least one corner aperture and into at least one corner pocket; and

b) the blocking of said soccer ball by said second player from entering at least one corner aperture and into at least one corner pocket.