Method of Game Playing of Forehand Strike

Abstract

A method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention is a game being played on a court having a pair of service areas on each side of a net using a slow bouncing ball and a hand covering and striking the slow bouncing ball with a forehand shot. The method includes bouncing the slow bouncing ball one time and serving a shot diagonally over the net into an opposite service area of player 2 using a palm of a first user's hand, striking a return shot over the net and into either one of the pair of service areas of the first player, each player continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands outside both of the service areas of the opposing player, and awarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player. Additionally, each player continues to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands within one of the service areas of the opposing player and bounces a second time before a next return shot is made and the point is awarded to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to a method of game playing, and more specifically, to a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals and athletes are in need of a safer alternative to combat sports like Boxing and MMA to get in shape. These individuals, whether adults or kids, desire to play a sport together. By combining some aspects of tennis fundamentals, for example the forehand motion and being unpredictable with your shot selection, as well as fundamentals utilized in combat sports, like the necessity to be ambidextrous since you backhand shots are illegal and having great foot work to be in position, these individuals may find an activity that is mainly a game of endurance.

Therefore, a need exists for a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike.™ The game is played on a court having a pair of service areas on each side of a net using a slow bouncing ball and a hand covering and striking the slow bouncing ball with a forehand shot. The method includes bouncing the slow bouncing ball one time and serving a shot diagonally over the net into an opposite service area of player 2 using a palm of a first user's hand, striking a return shot over the net and into either one of the pair of service areas of the first player, each player continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands outside both of the service areas of the opposing player, and awarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, each player continues to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands within one of the service areas of the opposing player and bounces a second time before a next return shot is made and the point is awarded to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method further ends a set of play when a player reaches at least 17 points with a lead of at least 2 points.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method further ends a match of play when a player a best number of sets from an odd number of sets.

In another aspect of the present invention, the best number of sets from an odd number of sets is a best 3 of 5 sets.

In another aspect of the present invention, the best number of sets from an odd number of sets is a best 2 of 3 sets.

In another aspect of the present invention, the opposing player is awarded a point when a serving player does not serve the slow bouncing ball over the next and into one of the two service areas of the opposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, the serving player is permitted to reserve a shot when after bounding once, the serve strikes the net before landing within one of the two service areas of the opposing player.

In another aspect of the present invention, two players are a team pair of players on each side of the next during a match, either of the two players may hit the slow bouncing ball after one bounce for the return shot into one of the two service areas of the opposing pair of players.

In another aspect of the present invention, the serving player alternates between the first player and the second player after a serving player has served two serving shots.

In another aspect of the present invention, the slow bounding ball has a diameter of 120 millimeters and a density of at least 72 kg/m³.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hand covering comprises a palm covering, a wrist strap coupled to a bottom end of the palm covering, and one or more finger loops coupled to a top end of the palm covering.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hand covering has 4 finger loops, each of the 4 finger loops being worn on a different finger of a player's hand.

In another aspect of the present invention, a player uses a hand covering on each hand to make forehand shots with the slow bouncing ball.

In another aspect of the present invention, each of the service areas are 20 feet long from the net to an end line and are 10 feet wide from a center line adjoining the first service area to a second service area to a sideline of the court.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of court and net arrangement for a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an article of manufacture worn by players of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an article of manufacture used by players of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4a-b illustrate game shot sequences of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of game shot sequences of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to a method of game playing, and more specifically, to a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “individual” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, playing a game of Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Method of Game Playing of Forehand Strike.” Invention may be used interchangeably with game.

In general, the present disclosure relates to a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of court and net arrangement for a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. The game of Forehand Strike is played on a court 100 similar to a tennis court, on a pickleball court with modified boundaries and net, on an outside basketball court with modified boundaries and net, or an individual pavement driveway with modified boundaries and net. The game uses four (4) rectangular in-bounds areas 102a-d, two in-bounds areas 102a-b, 102c-d being located on opposite sides of a separating net 105. The game is played with 2 players in a preferred embodiment in which a player hits the ball from his/her side of the net 105 to the other side occupied by an opposing player. A game consists of multiple sets of points, typically, 3, 5, or 7 sets, although any odd number of sets may be used. The game is played until one of the players has won a majority of possible sets.

The game is played with 2 or 4 players. A game consists of multiple sets of 3 (for children or beginners or 5 or 7 sets (for advanced players). For example, best of seven sets may end after 4 sets won by the same player or 5 sets with a score of 3-1, and 2 sets with a score of 2-1. There are no 6 sets only odd number sets. Each set is played until a player reaches 17 points with a lead of two or more points; otherwise the set continues until a player gets to a 2 point lead.

A ball 107 as disclosed herein is used and the players may only strike the ball with a forehand motion using a palm of one of the player's two hands. The ball must bounce in-bounds within a player's side of the court 100 before the player may strike a return shot. A return shot failing to clear the net 105, failing to land in either of the opposing player's rectangular court areas 102a-d, and failing to reach a ball for a return shot before a second bounce will end play with the player making the last in-bound shot earning a point. The set is played until one of the players reaches 17 points with a lead of two or more points.

The court 100 is configured with each player having a pair of side by side service areas that are 10 feet wide by 20 feet long areas on each side of the net 105. The net is 20 feet wide and 42 inches tall that is positioned along a center line of the adjoining player's service areas. The outline of each service area is marked with a straight line placed onto the court that may be painted or a form of tape may be applied to the court. The lines may be of any color that contrasts with the appearance of the court to allow for easily visual observation of the landing and bounce of a ball in play. Each of the two service areas 102a-d on each side of the net 105 are marked with a lengthwise centerline defining the areas within the service areas on a player's side of the net 105.

The court 100 is configured with each player having a pair of side by side service areas that are 10 feet wide for doubles, & 20 feet wide for singles and 20 feet long areas on each area on each side of the net 105. The Width of the tennis net is 20-foot-wide and a height of 42 inches (106.5 cm) at the posts and a height of 36 inches (91.5 cm) in the center. The only ball for the game has a diameter of 120 millimeters (mm). The other balls are too big (210 mm) or too small (90 mm) & will not be used.

The court 100 is bounded by a top end-line 106a and a bottom end-line 106b on the ends and side-lines 110a-b on either side. A pair of top service areas 102a-b are separated by a top centerline 108a and a pair of bottom service areas 102c-d, on an opposite of the net 105, are separated by a bottom centerline 108b. The top centerline 108a and the bottom centerline 108b meet at the net 105 at a mid-court line 109.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hand covering worn by players of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. A player wears the hand covering 200 comprising a palm covering 201 from the wrist to the base of the fingers. A wrist strap 203 at a bottom end of the palm covering 201 is used to wrap around a player's wrist to hold the palm covering 201 in place. One or more finger loops 202a-d, where 4 finger loops are shown in FIG. 2, are attached to a top end of the palm covering 201. A player's fingers are inserted into the finger loops 202a-d with the palm covering oriented over the player's palm. The wrist strap 203 is then wrapped around the players wrist to secure the palm covering to the player's hand.

The palm covering 201 is made of flexible neoprene that may be reinforced with a silicon padding in a preferred embodiment. In other embodiments, other padding material ranges from dense foam to a more rigid plastic or synthetic insert. The wrist strap 203 attaches to itself after wrapping around the player's wrist using an attachment device such as Velcro™, snaps, hooks-and-eyes, and buttons. A player may wear a palm covering on either or both hands as the player must strike the ball used in the game with either palm in order to make a valid shot.

FIG. 3 illustrates an article of manufacture used by players of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. A ball 301 is used by the players to play a game of Forehand Strike™; a densely weighted ball that provides a slower playing game than other known court games. The ball is made of a dense, non-toxic polyurethane foam. The ball of a preferred embodiment has a diameter of 120 millimeters (mm) with a weight of over 58 grams and a density of at least 72 kg/m³. The ball provides a slower, lower bounce coupled with a longer time spent in the air to provide a game based more on endurance of players over their burst speed. Other diameter and corresponding different weighted balls having a similar density also may be used. The typical ball has a diameter between 210 mm down to 90 mm.

FIGS. 4a-b illustrate game shot sequences of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. FIG. 4a shows a sequence of shots making up a single shot sequence leading to a point for one of the players. The point sequence 300 begins with a first player starting at a location behind a bottom baseline 406b to underhand serve 301a the ball 107 across the net 405 to land at a first bounce point 411a in a second top service area 402b before traveling 301b to a second player at a first return point 312a.

The first player moves to a second return point 312b as the ball 107 returns 302a across the net 405 to land at a second bounce point 411b in a second bottom service area 402d before reaching 302b the second player. The first player hits a return shot 303a across the net 405 to land at a third bounce point 411c in a first top service area 402a before traveling 303b toward the second player. In this sequence, the second player is unable to make another return shot and the sequence ends with the first player earning one (1) point. The sequence of shots may continue with an unlimited number of return shots between the players until either one of the players is unable to make a return shot.

FIG. 4b shows a similar sequence of shots 301a-b through 303a-b in which the second player is able to make it to the third return point 413a and attempt a return shot 415a-b. In this second sequence of shots, the return shot may cross the net to land within the first bottom service area 402c or the second bottom service area 402d (a good return shot not shown) in order for the rally to continue. The return shot 413b may also not make it across the net 405 or the return shot 413a may land anywhere outside of the boundaries 406a-b, 410a-b of the court. In either of the latter two return shots 413a-b, the point ends, and the first player earns 1 point. When the first player is unable to make a return shot, is unable to hit a return shot across the net 405 and is unable to hit a return shot that lands within the first or second top service areas 402a-b, player two wins 1 point.

Additional rules of the game include:

a) During a serve, if the ball hits the net but still bounces on the opponent's side of the net, the point is a let (which means it needs to be replayed). If the ball hits the net and doesn't make it to the other half of the court, the receiver is automatically awarded 1 point;

b) During a rally, if the ball hits the net but still bounces on the opponent's side of the court, the rally continues, but if the ball hits the net and doesn't make it to the other half of the court, the receiver is automatically awarded 1 point;

c) Players serve two serves each, alternating. A player does not have to win specifically off his/her own serve in order to win a point;

d) Backhands and spikes are not allowed, and the ball has to bounce once before you can return it;

e) When a player is serving, the serving player needs to stand behind the service area end-line, and the ball needs to bounce once before the player hits an underhanded forehanded serve;

the ball must go into the receiving player's diagonal service area box. The receiving player must stand diagonally to receive the serve, and then can stand wherever he or she deems best as long as the player remains inside of the service area lines; and

f) During a serve, if the ball hits the net but still bounces on the opponent's side of the court, the point is a let in which the serve needs to be replayed. If the ball hits the net and does not make it to the other half of the court, the receiving player is automatically awarded 1 point.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of game shot sequences of a method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™ according to the present invention. A shot sequence 500 begins when a first player hits an underhand serve over the net 405 into a diagonal service area in step 511. Test step 512 determines whether or not the shot lands in-bounds, and if so the second player, in step 513 attempts to return a shot back over the net. Test step 514 determines whether or not the second player successfully hits a return shot; and if so, test step 515 determines whether or not the return shot has landed in-bounds. If test step 515 determines the ball bounced in-bounds, the process 500 continues to step 516 in which the first player attempts a return shot. Test step 517 determines whether or not the first player makes a return shot, and if so, the process 500 returns to test step 512 to continue a rally.

When test step 512 determines that the first player's shot landed out of bounds, the second player's score is incremented by 1 point and test step 523 determines whether or not a player's score has reached at least 17 points with a 2 or more point lead. If test step 523 determines that a player's score has reached at least 17 points with a 2 or more point lead, the process of a set play 500 ends; otherwise, test step 531 determines whether or not a current serving player has made two serves. If a serving player has made two serves, step 532 switches the serving player to the opposing player and the process 500 continues to step 511 to begin another point; otherwise the process continues directly to step 511 to start the next point.

Returning to test step 514, when test step 514 determines that the second player has not made a return shot, the process 500 increments the first player's score in step 522 before proceeding to test step 523 to determine whether or not the set ends. Returning to test step 515, when test step 515 determines that the second player's return shot is out-of-bounds, the process 500 once again increments the first player's score in step 522 before proceeding to test step 523 to determine whether or not the set ends.

Returning to test step 517, when test step 517 determines that the first player has not made a return shot, the process 500 increments the second player's score in step 521 before proceeding to test step 523 to determine whether or not the set ends.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included in this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

1. A method of game playing known as Forehand Strike™, the game being played on a court having a pair of service areas on each side of a net using a slow bouncing ball and a hand covering and striking the slow bouncing ball with a forehand shot, the method comprising: bouncing the slow bouncing ball one time and serving a shot diagonally over the net into an opposite service area of player 2 using a palm of a first user's hand;striking a return shot over the net and into either one of the pair of service areas of the first player;each player continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands outside both of the service areas of the opposing player; andawarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprising: each player continuing to return a subsequent shot across the net and into one of the two service areas of an opposing player after the slow bouncing ball has bounced only once until one of the subsequent shots lands within one of the service areas of the opposing player and bounces a second time before a next return shot is made; andawarding a point to the player making a last valid shot into one of the service areas of the opposing player.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprising: ending a set of play when a player reaches at least 17 points with a lead of at least 2 points.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprising: ending a match of play when a player a best number of sets from an odd number of sets.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the best number of sets from an odd number of sets is a best 3 of 5 sets.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the best number of sets from an odd number of sets is a best 2 of 3 sets.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the opposing player is awarded a point when a serving player does not serve the slow bouncing ball over the next and into one of the two service areas of the opposing player.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the serving player is permitted to reserve a shot when after bounding once, the serve strikes the net before landing within one of the two service areas of the opposing player.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein two players are a team pair of players on each side of the next during a match, either of the two players may hit the slow bouncing ball after one bounce for the return shot into one of the two service areas of the opposing pair of players.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the serving player alternates between the first player and the second player after a serving player has served two serving shots.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the slow bounding ball has a diameter of 120 millimeters and a density of at least 72 kg/m3.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hand covering comprises a palm covering, a wrist strap coupled to a bottom end of the palm covering, and one or more finger loops coupled to a top end of the palm covering.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the hand covering has 4 finger loops, each of the 4 finger loops being worn on a different finger of a player's hand.

14. The method according to claim 2, wherein a player uses a hand covering on each hand to make forehand shots with the slow bouncing ball.

15. The method according to claim 2, wherein each of the service areas are 20 feet long from the net to an end line and are 10 feet wide from a center line adjoining the first service area to a second service area to a sideline of the court.