Ball rotation indicator and method
First Claim
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1. A method of tracking the rotation axis of a thrown athletic ball as the athletic ball travels through space, comprising:
- providing an athletic ball with an outer surface having a first outer diameter and having one or more surface colors, the athletic ball consisting of a single rotation axis indicator defined by a first width, the single rotation axis indicator extending out from the surface of the athletic ball a first length which is at least half the distance of the first outer diameter in a fixed orientation relative to the surface of the athletic ball, the rotation axis indicator being defined by a longitudinal axis axially aligned with the rotation axis of the athletic ball, the rotation axis indicator including one or more colors different than the one or more surface colors of the athletic ball;
when gripping the athletic ball with a throwing hand (1) locating the rotation axis indicator apart from the palm of the throwing hand of a user in one of a plurality of locations according to a desired rotation of the athletic ball, a desired travel path of the athletic ball in space and a desired directional movement of the rotation axis indicator to be achieved when thrown and (2) placing the fingertips of the throwing hand about the surface of the athletic ball apart from the rotation axis indicator according to said desired rotation, travel path and directional movement in a manner effective to maintain a natural relationship between the athletic ball and the throwing hand, wherein the location of the fingertips in relation to the location of the rotation axis indicator is determined according to said desired rotation, travel path and directional movement; and
once the athletic ball is thrown, observing the rotation axis indicator as the athletic ball travels through space along its travel path.
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Abstract
The present application is directed to an athletic training tool. The athletic training tool includes a ball and an elongated member attached thereto, the elongated member is attached to the ball in a manner effective to maintain the center of gravity of the ball. The elongated member may be visually observable during use of the athletic training tool.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of tracking the rotation axis of a thrown athletic ball as the athletic ball travels through space, comprising:
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providing an athletic ball with an outer surface having a first outer diameter and having one or more surface colors, the athletic ball consisting of a single rotation axis indicator defined by a first width, the single rotation axis indicator extending out from the surface of the athletic ball a first length which is at least half the distance of the first outer diameter in a fixed orientation relative to the surface of the athletic ball, the rotation axis indicator being defined by a longitudinal axis axially aligned with the rotation axis of the athletic ball, the rotation axis indicator including one or more colors different than the one or more surface colors of the athletic ball; when gripping the athletic ball with a throwing hand (1) locating the rotation axis indicator apart from the palm of the throwing hand of a user in one of a plurality of locations according to a desired rotation of the athletic ball, a desired travel path of the athletic ball in space and a desired directional movement of the rotation axis indicator to be achieved when thrown and (2) placing the fingertips of the throwing hand about the surface of the athletic ball apart from the rotation axis indicator according to said desired rotation, travel path and directional movement in a manner effective to maintain a natural relationship between the athletic ball and the throwing hand, wherein the location of the fingertips in relation to the location of the rotation axis indicator is determined according to said desired rotation, travel path and directional movement; and once the athletic ball is thrown, observing the rotation axis indicator as the athletic ball travels through space along its travel path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17)
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13. A method of training a person to affect rotation of an athletic ball to be thrown through space toward a target, comprising:
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providing an athletic ball having a first outer diameter defined by a rotation axis and having one or more surface colors other than fluorescent orange, the athletic ball consisting of a single visual indicator extending out from the surface of the athletic ball a first length which is at least half the distance of the first outer diameter in a fixed orientation relative to the surface of the athletic ball, the visual indicator being defined by a longitudinal axis axially aligned with the rotation axis of the athletic ball and having a fluorescent orange color; determining a desired directional rotation of the athletic ball, a desired travel path of the athletic ball in space, a desired directional movement of the visual indicator in space when thrown and a desired location of the visual indicator in relation to a palm of a throwing hand at a moment of release of the athletic ball out from the throwing hand from among a plurality of locations; having a person hold the athletic ball in the throwing hand by placing the fingers about the surface of the athletic ball and apart from the visual indicator according to the desired directional rotation of the athletic ball, the desired travel path of the athletic ball in space and the desired directional movement of the visual indicator in space in a manner effective to position the visual indicator in relation to the palm of the hand in the desired location at a moment of release of the athletic ball out from the throwing hand; while the athletic ball is traveling through space toward the target once thrown, analyzing the rotation of the thrown athletic ball compared to the desired directional rotation by observing the directional movement of the fluorescent orange colored visual indicator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 18)
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Specification