Basketball game

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and visual cue located on the surface of a basketball court to assist a basketball player gauge his or her position relative to substantially the exact lateral position of the basket and, optionally, the backboard overhead.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of assisting a basketball player gauge his or her position under a basketball goal, which basketball goal comprises a backboard and a basket, the method comprising providing one or more marks on a playing surface of a basketball court underneath a basketball goal, which provide a visual indication of substantially the exact lateral position of the basket overhead.  
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    which further comprises providing one or more additional marks on the playing surface which provide a visual indication of substantially the exact lateral position of the backboard overhead.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    in which the one or more marks include a circular shape.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape comprises a loop.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape comprises a solid circle.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape comprises a series of dots or dashes.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape further comprises crosshairs.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 4    in which the loop comprises a hollow or solid ring having dimensions that substantially correspond to those of a vertical projection of a bottom surface of a rim of the basket.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 2    in which the one or more marks include a rectangular shape.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9    in which the rectangular shape comprises a hollow or solid bar having dimensions that substantially correspond to those of a vertical projection of a bottom surface of the backboard.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape includes a logo of a host team, a school, a conference, an affiliation, an association, a league, a corporate sponsor, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape is affixed or painted on the playing surface.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape is projected on the playing surface.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 3    in which the circular shape is integrated into the playing surface.  
     
     
         15 . A playing surface of a basketball court which includes one or more marks underneath a basketball goal comprising a backboard and a basket to assist a basketball player gauge his or her position under the basketball goal, which one or more marks provide a visual indication of substantially the exact lateral position of the backboard and basket overhead.  
     
     
         16 . The playing surface of    claim 15    in which the one or more marks include a circular shape.  
     
     
         17 . The playing surface of    claim 16    in which the circular shape includes a logo of a host team, a school, a conference, an affiliation, an association, a league, a corporate sponsor, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A visual cue located on the surface of a basketball court comprising one or more marks placed underneath a basketball goal comprising a backboard and a basket, which one or more marks provide a visual indication of substantially the exact lateral position of the backboard and basket overhead.  
     
     
         19 . The visual cue of    claim 18    in which the one or more marks include a circular shape.  
     
     
         20 . The visual cue of    claim 19    in which the circular shape includes a logo of a host team, a school, a conference, an affiliation, an association, a league, a corporate sponsor, or combinations thereof.