The present invention relates generally to a lacrosse practice aid and more particular to a lacrosse head cover with simulated-play characteristics.
The sport of lacrosse has increased in popularity significantly over the years. Wherein it once had a limited range of collegiate clubs in the east coast, it now ranges throughout the United States and Internationally. In combination with its official growth, so too has the growth of general popularity and the resultant increase in general recreational play. One key aspect of lacrosse is the necessity for developing ball-control skills. In essence, these skills are fundamental to the development and maintenance of proper lacrosse performance. As such, players of every skill level commonly dedicate time to the practice of ball-control handling.
Outdoor ball handling is often the most common form of practice. Indoor practice often is utilized to extend practice time and is utilized when outdoor practice is not available. In either case, ball-handling practice often results in the lacrosse-ball leaving the lacrosse head. In outdoor practice, this requires the athlete to chase down and retrieve the ball before resumption of practice. During indoor practice the cited scenario can result in more serious situations. Losing a ball from the head during indoor practice may result in damage to home or property if practice is performed in an unprotected indoor environment.
It would therefore be highly desirable to have a lacrosse practice aid that allowed athletes to practice ball-handling without requiring the athlete to chase down and retrieve the lacrosse ball. It would further be highly desirable to have such a lacrosse practice aid that allowed athletes to practice ball-handling indoors without concern for damage to home or property resultant from the ball exiting the lacrosse-head. Finally, it would be highly desirable to have such a practice aid that further provided the athlete with a full range of ball-handling experiences and feels including the sensation of the lacrosse ball exiting the lacrosse head. This would allow the athlete to push handling skills to the limit without actually losing ball control.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention, a lacrosse practice aid is provided for use with a lacrosse stick assembly including a lacrosse stick, a lacrosse head having a head ball stop, head sidewalls, and a head lip, a netting element attached to the lacrosse head, and a lacrosse ball positioned within, but not secured to, the netting element. The lacrosse practice aid includes a rear cover portion including a rear neck portion and a rear head engagement portion and a flexible front cover portion including a front neck portion, a front head engagement portion, and a front center flex region. The flexible front cover portion is in communication with the rear cover portion to form a head engagement pocket configured to house the lacrosse head therewithin. The front center flex region includes a flexible surface such that the lacrosse ball is retained within the lacrosse head while providing an extended range of ball handling feel. The front neck portion and the rear neck portion form a neck perimeter.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description and preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims.
Referring now to
The present invention addresses these issues through the development of the lacrosse head practice aid 10. The lacrosse head practice aid 10 includes a front cover portion 28 and a rear cover portion 30 (see
In accordance with the operation of the lacrosse head practice aid 10, an athlete places the lacrosse ball 20 into the netting element 18 and then places the lacrosse head 16 into the head engagement pocket 42. The lacrosse head practice aid 10 thereby retains the lacrosse ball 20 within the lacrosse head 16 (see
A number of methods may be utilized to achieve placement of the lacrosse head 16 within the head engagement pocket 42. In one embodiment, the neck perimeter 44 may be elastic or flexible enough to be pulled over the lacrosse head 16. In another embodiment, however, it is contemplated that a side entry element 50 may be positioned between the front cover portion 28 and the rear cover portion 30. In one embodiment, the side entry element 50 may be mounted on the side trim element 46 (see
It should be noted that the present invention is configured such that the shape and configuration of the front cover portion 28 and rear cover portion 30 is such that the lacrosse ball 20 is prevented from exiting past the head sidewalls 24 and thus outside the frame element once the lacrosse head practice aid 10 has been securely attached. In one embodiment, this is accomplished through a tight tailoring of the cover periphery 48. In another embodiment, the side trim element 46 engages the sidewalls 24 with sufficient lack of give to prevent such ball passage.
The present invention may further include a neck securing element 52 mounted to the neck perimeter 44 for adequately securing the lacrosse head practice aid 10 to the head base 22 (see
While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/824,378 filed Sep. 1, 2006, and entitled “Lacrosse Practice Aid”.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60824378 | Sep 2006 | US |