Team shape training apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for use in training formations in team sports such as soccer or hockey. Players train while connected together by selectable lengths of cord attached to belts or harnesses worn by the players. This encourages the connected players to learn to maintain a desired team shape and distance. The connecting cords preferably have some elasticity, to prevent jerking as the cords tighten responsive to movement of the players. The belts or harnesses also preferably have some elasticity or “give” responsive to pulling on the cords.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A team shape training apparatus, comprising: 
 a plurality of belts each providing a plurality of belt connection points; and    at least one cord of selected length, each cord having connectors at each end, each connector securely connectable to one of the belt connection points.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one belt includes an elasticated insert.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one cord includes an elasticated insert.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one cord includes multiple shorter cords concatenatable end-to-end to provide at least one extended cord of selected length, each extended cord providing connectors at each end thereof for connection to a belt connection point.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one belt connection point includes a selectively extendable and retractable connection for cords.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one cord includes a selectively extendable and retractable portion.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the belt connection points are selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) rings; and    (b) tails.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one belt comprises padding at points of contact with a wearer.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the belts are selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) waist belts; and    (b) harnesses.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which portions of cords are brightly colored.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one belt connection point comprises a track insert in its corresponding belt, the track insert being of substantially C-shaped profile and operable to receive substantially T-shaped cord connectors, the T-shaped cord connectors retained by the track insert and slideable along the track insert.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which at least one belt connection point comprises a track attached to its corresponding belt, the track being of substantially C-shaped profile and operable to receive substantially circular shaped cord connectors, the circular shaped cord connectors retained by the track and slideable along the track.  
     
     
         13 . A team shape training apparatus, comprising: 
 a plurality of belts each providing a plurality of belt connection points;    at least one cord of selected length, each cord having connectors at each end, each connector securely connectable to one of the belt connection points;    at least one of the cords including an elasticated insert; and    at least one cord including multiple shorter cords concatenatable end-to-end to provide at least one extended cord of selected length, each extended cord providing connectors at each end thereof for connection to a belt connection point.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which at least one belt includes an elasticated insert.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which at least one belt comprises padding at points of contact with a wearer.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which at least one belt connection point includes a selectively extendable and retractable connection for cords.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which at least one cord includes a selectively extendable and retractable portion.  
     
     
         18 . A method for training team shape, comprising: 
 (a) providing a plurality of belts each providing a plurality of belt connection points;    (b) providing at least one cord of selected length, each cord having connectors at each end, each connector securely connectable to one of the belt connection points;    (c) causing a corresponding plurality of trainees each to wear one belt; and    (d) interconnecting trainees together via cords connected to belt connection points.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , in which at least one cord includes an elasticated insert.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , in which (b) includes concatenating multiple shorter cords end-to-end to provide at least one extended cord of selected length, each extended cord providing connectors at each end thereof for connection to a belt connection point.