Patent Application
20200129816
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present disclosure relates generally to a football training device, and more specifically to a training ball having an enlarged configuration relative to a football for improving the grip strength of a quarterback.
The game of football includes a quarterback who touches the football on most offensive plays. In some instances, the quarterback throws the football to a targeted receiver, while in other instances, the quarterback may hand the ball off to a running back, or tuck the football in his arm and run the football himself. The throwing motion of the quarterback may require that the football is gripped by the quarterback during the windup and through the release of the football. It is believed that a stronger grip strength may improve the throwing performance of a quarterback.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a training device for improving the grip strength of a quarterback. Various aspects of the present disclosure address this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be provided a method of training to improve a user's ability to throw a football, with the football having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis. The football may further define a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends. The method may include gripping a training ball, with the training ball having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of laces may be positioned between the first end and the second end. The training ball may define a lengthwise circumference which passes through the first and second ends, and a maximum widthwise circumference perpendicular to the lengthwise circumference and positioned between the first and second ends. The maximum widthwise circumference of the training ball may be greater than the maximum widthwise circumference of the football. The training ball may be gripped by one hand of the user, with at least one of the user's fingers extending toward the plurality of laces. The method may further include throwing the training ball in an overhand throwing motion.
The method may additionally include the steps of repeating the gripping step and repeating the throwing step.
The training ball may include a plurality of outer panels, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of panels define a seam. The gripping step may include extending at least one of the user's fingers across a seam. The gripping step may include extending two of the user's fingers across the plurality of laces.
The gripping step may include positioning the user's hand on the training ball such that the user's hand is closer to one of the first and second ends than the other one of the first and second ends.
The training ball may include a pair of semi-circular strips formed adjacent respective ones of the first and second ends. The gripping step may include extending at least a portion of the user's hand to overlap a portion of one of the pair of semi-circular strips.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided a method of training to improve a user's ability to throw a football. The method may include gripping a training ball, with the training ball having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis. A length of the training ball may be defined as the distance along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. An inflatable bladder may be positioned between the first end and the second end. A plurality of outer panels may extend over the inflatable bladder, with adjacent ones of the plurality of outer panels forming a seam therebetween. Each seam may extend between the first end and the second end. A plurality of laces may extend across a common seam. The plurality of outer panels may collectively defining an outer surface positioned about the longitudinal axis, with the outer surface having a maximum width (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A ratio of L/W may be less than 1.56.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided a training ball for improving a grip of a user.
The length, L, of the training ball may be equal to 10.5-11.5 inches.
The maximum width, W, may be more than 7.2 inches. The maximum width, W, may be between 7.20-7.80 inches.
The plurality of outer panels may be formed of leather.
The training ball may include a pair of arcuate strips positioned adjacent respective ones of the first end and the second end.
An outer surface of the training ball may define a maximum outer circumference that is greater than or equal to 22 inches.
The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which:
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a training ball 10 and a method of using the same, for improving the performance of a quarterback. Along these lines, the performance of the quarterback may be correlated to the ability of the quarterback to grip a football 12 (see
The effectiveness of the training ball 10 may relate to its larger relative size to that of a football 12. Reference is now made to
As noted above, the training ball 10 is slightly larger than the football 12 so as to force the user of the training ball 10 to exert a stronger grip to hold and throw the training ball 10. The training ball 10 defines a longitudinal axis 21 and includes a first end 22 and a second end 24 to define a length L2 therebetween. The training ball 10 also defines a long circumference (e.g., the outer periphery of the training ball 10 from the perspective shown in
A comparison in the larger size of the training ball 10 relative to the football 12 may be illustrated by comparing the ratio of the training ball 10 length/width L2/W2 to the football 12 length/width L1/W1. In general, the training ball 10 length/width L2/W2 ratio may be between 1.20-1.60, and more preferably between 1.50-1.51. The football length/width L1/W1 ratio may between 1.55-1.73, and more preferably between 1.57-1.58.
The training ball 10 may include an inflatable internal bladder, which may be covered by four outer panels 28. Each outer panel 28 may include a pair of tapered ends and a wide mid-section. The panels 28 may be positioned over the bladder, such that adjacent panels 28 form a seam 30 therebetween. The training ball 10 may additionally include a plurality of laces 32 arranged in generally evenly spaced relation to each other, wherein each lace 32 may extend generally perpendicularly across a common seam 30. The laces 32 on the training ball 10 mimic the laces that may be included on the football 12.
The outer panels 28 of the training ball 10 may be fabricated from leather, rubber, or other materials commonly used in the art for forming panels on footballs. The outer panels 28 may have a surface texture that is similar to that of the football 12. The surface texture of the outer panels 28 may have a roughness or tackiness that is similar to THE DUKE football sold by Wilson Sporting Goods. The surface texture of the outer panels 28 may have a roughness or tackiness that is greater than the MATCH XV rugby ball sold by Gilbert Rugby. The outer surface of the training ball 10 may include a pair of semi-circular strips 35 disposed adjacent respective ends 22, 24 of the training ball 10 to mimic similar strips formed on NCAA, high school and youth footballs 12. Logos or other indicia, such as team names, school names, organization names, logos, initials, etc. may be located on one or more of the outer panels 28.
During a training exercise, a user may grip the training ball 10 with the user's throwing hand in the manner shown in
The user's grip on the training ball 10 may be compared to the user's grip on a football 12, which is depicted in
The larger size of the training ball 10 may keep the user's hand in a more open configuration compared to the user's hand when gripping the football 12.
In view of the football 12 being a smaller size and having a smaller circumference, the distance d2 is greater than the distance d1 of the training ball 10. In other words, when the user grips the training ball 10, the larger circumference of the training ball 10 prevents the reference points 38, 40 from extending around the training ball 10 to the same extent that is possible on the football 12. It should be noted that the magnitude of the slope of the axes 34, 36 is larger (e.g., more vertical) than the magnitude of the slope of the axes 42, 44, and thus, when the user grips the training ball 10, the user is interfacing with more vertical surfaces, which may require more effort to create the opposing gripping forces needed to secure the ball 10 in the user's hand. The different in magnitude of the slopes of the axes 34, 36, and 42, 44 can be illustrated by the difference in angles Θ1 and Θ2 created by the axes 34, 36, and 42, 44, respectively. In particular, due to the smaller size of the football 12, the angle Θ2 is smaller than the angle Θ1. The larger angle Θ1 may require a larger grip force to hold and control the training ball 10. Thus, by repeatedly gripping and throwing the training ball 10, the user's grip strength may increase.
Although grip strength may be important for a quarterback, it is also contemplated that other positions may benefit from training with the training ball 10. In this regard, any position that regularly touches the football 12 may benefit from training with the training ball 10. For instance, a center may benefit from practicing snapping the training ball 10 to develop strength in his snapping hand. Furthermore, the larger configuration of the training ball 10 may be useful for the center to improve his snapping motion, i.e., the movement of the ball from the field, through the center's legs, and into the quarterback's hand, so as to mitigate inadvertent grazing of the center's legs, which may lead to fumbles.
Wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends may additionally benefit from training with the training ball 10. In particular, the process of catching the training ball 10 and transitioning the training ball 10 to a safe, cradled position may allow the wide receivers, running backs and tight ends to develop strength, which may make it easier for such players to catch and cradle a football 12.
The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes of illustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice.
