Posture training apparatus for athletes

Abstract

Apparatus and method for, inter alia, training a sprinter to transition from a crouched starting position through a drive phase to a running phase. At least 3 height and width indicators are positioned in front of a sprinter at pre-set intervals with pre-determined height and with settings. The width and height settings are based upon certain anatomical features of the sprinter. Positioning the height and width indicator should be at increasing heights approximately one foot, nine feet, and fifteen feet in front of the sprinter in a normal starting position. Apparatus of the invention used in single sets or multiple sets at fixed height can be used to train athletes such as football and basketball players to back pedal or shuffle while maintaining a crouched posture.

1 . A posture training apparatus for athletes starting competitive activity from a crouched position comprising in combination: 
 a pair of base members, each of said base members supporting an upright member in a generally vertical position;    a variably positionable horizontal member disposed on each of said upright members;    whereby a plurality of pairs of said apparatus can be positioned at pre-determined intervals in one of in front of or behind said athlete when in a crouched position with successive apparatus pairs having said horizontal members positioned at one of, an increased height to teach said athletes to effectively transition from a crouched starting position to a generally vertical position during competitive activity, or a constant height to teach said athlete to maintain a crouched position during a training exercise.    
   
   
       2 . A posture training apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal members are covered with a cushioning material.  
   
   
       3 . A posture training apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal members are fabricated from a flexible material.  
   
   
       4 . A posture training apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said horizontal members are resiliently hinged to move upon contact by said athletes during a practice exercise.  
   
   
       5 . A posture training apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said base member, said upright member and said horizontal member are fabricated from rigid plastic.  
   
   
       6 . A posture training apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said rigid plastic is PVC pipe.  
   
   
       7 . A method for training a sprint racer to emerge from a crouched starting position with head down to a running phase with head and body erect comprising the steps of: 
 placing a first height indicating guide approximately one and one-half feet in front of said sprinter in a normal starting position said guide set at a height approximately one foot above said sprinters pelvic height when said sprinter is in a normal starting position;    placing a second height indicating guide approximately nine feet in front of said first height indicating guide; said second height indicating guide set at a height equal to the height of said sprinters mid-pectoral muscle, and    placing a third height indicating guide approximately fifteen feet in front of said second guide, said third guide set at a height equal to the height of said sprinter's eyes, whereby when the sprint racer leaves a starting position and passes through the height indicating guides just below or with brushing contact with the sprinter's head the sprinter will be positioned properly for transition from a drive phase to a running phase.    
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7  including the step of including vertical support members for each of said height indicating guides, said vertical support members positioned approximately one half-foot plus one half the width of said sprinters upper torso measured at the shoulder of said sprinter either side of a center line for said sprinter to follow during training.  
   
   
       9 . A posture training apparatus for athletes starting competitive activity from a crouched position comprising in combination: 
 a pair of base members, each of said base members supporting an upright member in a generally vertical position;    a variably positionable horizontal member disposed on each of said upright members said horizontal members cushioned in the event of contact by said athletes;    whereby a pair of said apparatus can be positioned at pre-determined height in front of or behind said athlete to train said athlete to maintain a crouched position while moving forward, back pedaling, or shuffling.    
   
   
       10 . A method for training an athlete to maintain a crouched position during at least a part of the athletes playing of a position in a team sport comprising the steps of: 
 placing at least one height indicating guide approximately in front of or in back said athlete in a normal starting position said guide set at a height required to teach said athlete to maintain a proper crouched position while executing his position; and    placing a second height indicating guide at a location in line with or at an angle to said first height indicating guide; said second height indicating guide set at a height equal to the height of said first height indicating guide, and whereby when the athlete leaves a starting position and passes through the height indicating guides just below or with brushing contact with the athlete's head the athlete will be positioned properly for executing his position.    
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10  including the step of including a third height indicating guide in line with or at an angle to said second height indicating guide.  
   
   
       12 . A posture training apparatus for athletes starting competitive activity from a crouched position comprising in combination: 
 a pair of base members, each of said base members supporting an upright member in a generally vertical position;    a variably positionable horizontal member disposed on each of said upright members said horizontal members cushioned in the event of contact by said athletes;    whereby a plurality of pairs of said apparatus can be positioned at pre-determined intervals of, one, in front of or behind said athlete when in a crouched position with successive apparatus pairs having said horizontal members positioned at one of, increasing heights or uniform height to teach said athletes to effectively transition from a crouched starting position to a generally vertical position during competitive activity.