The most important factor in many sports is learning the correct fundamentals. When throwing a ball, one must correctly snap their wrist. When throwing a baseball or shooting a basketball, one must not only snap their wrist, but also, their fingers must flow with the snapping. Similar actions are present in many other sports as well. However, there are currently no good ways to teach this fundamental behavior.
Current devices do not allow for wrist snapping for throwing balls, hitting clubs, shooting basketballs, or the like. Current devices also do not allow for muscle memory and are often designed for one purpose and are not adjustable. As can be seen, there is a need for an improved sports training device that May be used to teach the art of snapping one's wrist in the appropriate fashion for a particular sport.
Technology will enhance the user's experience. The electronic sensor in the body of the device will allow the user to track many data fields, such as: Device rotation speed, device rotation radius, wrist flex distance and wrist breaking point.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a training device for many sports to correctly teach the art of snapping the wrist for throwing; shooting balls and swinging clubs, for example. The device includes a strap wrapped around the forearm with one or more clicking/sounding units attached on top of the strap. One or more finger straps can be placed around the base of the fingers. An elastic band can interconnect the wrist strap and/or the one or more clicking/sounding units with the finger straps. By feeling and hearing the correct wrist snapping, the player will develop muscle memory. The device of the present invention allows the player to practice with it on them, developing their skills. This will also allow the training/coach to hear if the proper mechanics are being used.
The device of the present invention can be adjusted for many sizes and can be adjusted for many uses. The device creates a sound and/or a vibration that builds muscle memory faster than the sound alone can do so. The device can also be used for muscle development by changing the bands that will have more resistance for strength training.
Referring now to the Figures, an armband may be made from an adjustable strap that can wrap around the forearm of the user. One or more clicking/sounding devices may be disposed on this strap. Typically, one clicking/sounding device is disposed on the top of the armband. On each side of the clicking device, a band clip can be attached to the armband. Band clips may be used, for example, for strength training purposes, where the clicking unit is not needed.
One or more finger straps can be designed to be placed around the base of the user's fingers, typically over the knuckle. The finger straps can include a band clip attached to the top thereof. Resistance bands can interconnect the armband/clicking/sounding device with the band clips on the finger straps. The resistance bands may be adjustable for the players size and range of motion they desire.
A finger attachment may be a material of desired size that can be added or attached to the inside of the finger band to give the proper spacing between the palm of the hand and the ball, assisting, for example, in developing correct spin of the ball.
As the player performs the correct fundamentals in their sport, the clicking device will make a sound and produce a click vibration for muscle memory. This action is as a result of the wrist and fingers moving from one direction to another direction. Instant feedback, while actually practicing the motion, helps the player develop a muscle memory to reinforce the behavior, even after the device is removed.
While Figure's shows one embodiment of a clicking/sounding device usable with the sports training device of the present invention, various mechanisms are contemplated within the scope of the present invention as usable to create a clicking sound and create a click vibration when the resistance band is extended or released.
The armband can be made of a stable fabric with a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro® attached to it to allow for adjustable sizing. The finger bands can be made of a soft fabric with a more stable fabric attached to the top of the soft fabric that lies over the knuckle. The band clips may be made from various materials, such as plastic, with a teeth-like clip or plugs that can snap down and retain the resistance bands or hole in the resistance bands that could be fastened by plugs. The clicking device can be made of various materials, such as a plastic tube with springs inside of it, for example.
The resistance bands may be made from various materials, such as surgical elastic rubber that is typically flat in Its cross-section. These flat elastic bands can have different resistances and may be made in. various thicknesses. The finger palm attachment may be made of a soft, solid gel with a button for attachment to the finger strap, for example.
Referring to Figures, an exemplary embodiment of a clicking device is shown. This clicking device allows the elastic band to be attached and provides a clicking sound when the elastic band is properly snapped according to the desired result. The clicking device may fasten via a look and loop fastener to the wrist band. It should be noted that these figures show one specific embodiment of the clicking device and other clicking devices that achieve a similar result may be used within the scope of the present invention.
To use the device of the present invention, a player can put the device on and perform the sport activity they are playing. The device would allow the player and the coach to hear and feel the correct movement of the wrist and fingers for the player to obtain muscle memory. The unit will provide the player with the correct feedback to promote the right fundamentals for their particular sport activity.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This unit also can have an electronic attachment that will keep count of the proper wrist motion and is able to send data to a device for further use. The device will have a electronic sensor that will transmit data from the device to an application on a mobile device. This data will consist of device rotation speed, device rotation radius, wrist flex degree of motion and wrist break point in the device rotation radius but not limited to the above stated uses.
The present invention relates to a sports training device and, more particularly, to a training device for sports that correctly teaches the art of snapping the wrist, as well as strengthening the wrist. These are enhancements first my patent “U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,778”. This patent will include technology that will greatly improve users' functions.