Athletic training device

Abstract

An athletic training device increases the effective height of a defensive player by the use of a blocking device that includes a blocking surface attached to a vertical support which is carried by the defensive player. The vertical support holds the blocking surface elevated above the head of the defensive player. The blocking surface is provided by a substantially planar sheet shaped and/or decorated to be the simulated upper portion of a defensive player with arms extended. The vertical support is held upright by a torso encircling harness carried by the defensive player. The vertical support includes two telescopically coupled tubes having a locking nut for fixing the degree of telescopic engagement of the two tubes to adjust the height of the blocking surface with respect to the defensive player.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . An athletic training device, comprising: 
 a harness carried on the torso of a player; and    a blocking device supported by said harness and extending vertically above the player's head.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said blocking device comprises a pole and a flat member attached to an upper end of the pole, wherein said pole is supported and horizontally restrained by said harness.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said harness comprises a vest having a back panel, said back panel having a sheath extending vertically along said back panel, said pole partially inserted into said sheath.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said blocking device comprises a simulated upper torso, arms and head of a defensive player.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said blocking device has a vertical adjustability.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said blocking device comprises a pole and a flat member attached to an upper end portion of the pole, said pole comprising two telescopically arranged pole pieces and a locking device for selectively adjusting the relative position of said pole pieces to adjust the overall length of said pole.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said harness comprises a belt at least partially surrounding the player's torso, said belt being adjustable in length to snugly fit the harness to the player's torso.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said harness comprises a vest having a back panel and a front panel, said back panel and said front panel connected together at mutual tops thereof by a shoulder piece, said shoulder piece having an opening for the player's neck, and said vest having at least one adjustable belt extending from opposite edges of said back panel and wrapped around said front panel in use, said belt for snugly fitting the vest to the player's torso.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one adjustable belt comprises an upper belt and a lower belt arranged substantially in parallel and each extending from opposite edges of said back panel and wrapped around said front panel.  
     
     
         10 . A method of training a ball player comprising the steps of: 
 providing a defensive ball player with a blocking device which extends above the defensive player's head and which is carried by the defensive player;    arranging for the defensive player to defense an offensive ball player wherein the offensive ball player must project a ball above the defensive player, the defensive player adjusting horizontal position to stop the offensive player from successfully projecting the ball.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said defensive player shifts in order to block the vision of the offense player using the blocking device.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said defensive player shifts in order to block the ball projected by the offense player using the blocking device.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said defensive player shifts in order to block the vision of the offense player using the blocking device.  
     
     
         14 . A basketball training device, for use on a basketball court wherein at least one offensive player attempts to shoot a basketball into a basketball goal while being defended by a defensive player, comprising: 
 a harness carried on the torso of the defensive player; and    a blocking device supported by said harness and extending vertically above the players head, said blocking device shaped and adapted to inhibit the offensive player's view of the basketball goal when positioned in front of the offensive player by the defensive player.    
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said blocking device comprises a pole and a flat member attached to an upper end of the pole, wherein said pole is supported and horizontally restrained by said harness.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said harness comprises a vest having a back panel, said back panel having a sheath extending vertically along said back panel, said pole partially inserted into said sheath.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said blocking device comprises a simulated upper torso, arms and head of a defensive player.  
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said blocking device has a vertical adjustability.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said blocking device comprises a pole and a flat member attached to an upper end portion of the pole, said pole comprising two telescopically arranged pole pieces and a locking device for selectively adjusting the relative position of said pole pieces to adjust the overall length of said pole.  
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 14  wherein said harness comprises a belt at least partially surrounding the player's torso, said belt being adjustable in length to snugly fit the harness to the player's torso.  
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 14  wherein said harness comprises a vest having a back panel and a front panel, said back panel and said front panel connected together at mutual tops thereof by a shoulder piece, said shoulder piece having an opening for the player's neck, and said vest having at least one adjustable belt extending from opposite edges of said back panel and wrapped around said front panel in use, said belt for snugly fitting the vest to the player's torso.  
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one adjustable belt comprises an upper belt and a lower belt arranged substantially in parallel and each extending from opposite edges of said back panel and wrapped around said front panel.