Sports training apparatus and method of using the same

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that is placed on a support surface and used by an individual to practice or play with a sports ball. The apparatus generally includes a support assembly and a target member connected thereto with a coupling member. The support assembly may be formed by one or more pole assemblies having multiple pole sections telescopically mounted to one another. The target member has an opening forming a target area having a boundary that generally defines a target plane. The target area is sized and adapted so that the ball may pass therethrough. The coupling member has a released state whereby the target member may be selectably positioned to orient the plane in a selected angular orientation relative to the support surface and a secured state whereby the target member is retained in the selected angular orientation. The apparatus may include a chute depending from the target member.

1 . An apparatus adapted to be placed on a support surface for use by an individual while practicing or playing with a sports ball, comprising: 
 (A) a support assembly adapted to be disposed on the support surface;    (B) a target member supported by said support assembly and having an opening forming a target area that has a target boundary generally defining a target plane, said target area being sized and adapted so that the sports ball may pass therethrough; and    (C) a coupling member interconnecting said support assembly and said target member, said coupling member having 
 (1) a released state whereby said target member may be selectably positioned so as to orient the target plane in a selected angular orientation relative to the support surface; and  
 (2) a secured state whereby said target member is retained in the selected angular orientation.  
   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support assembly includes a plurality of pole sections telescopically mounted to one another.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support assembly includes a base member adapted to engage the support surface.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said support assembly includes 
 (A) a lower pole section supported by said base member and extending upwardly therefrom;    (B) a middle pole section telescopically received by said lower pole section; and    (C) an upper pole section telescopically received by said middle pole section.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support assembly includes 
 (A) a first pole assembly oriented along a first axis; and    (B) a second pole assembly oriented along a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular to the support surface.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a receptacle supported by said support assembly that is sized and adapted to receive the sports ball.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said target member is annular.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said annular target member has a diameter selected from approximately 19 inches, approximately 24.5 inches, and approximately 14 inches.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said target member includes a pair of spaced apart arm members supported by said support assembly.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a chute depending from said target member, said sports ball being guided by said chute after it passes through the target area.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said target member may be selectively rotated about a rotation axis that is generally parallel to the support surface when in the released state.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus adapted to be placed on a support surface for use by an individual with a sports ball, comprising: 
 (A) a base member adapted to engage the support surface;    (B) a first upright pole assembly supported by said base member;    (C) a second upright pole assembly supported by said base member in spaced relation to said first upright pole assembly; and    (D) a target member rotatably supported by said first and second upright pole assemblies and having an opening that defines a target area that lies in a target plane, said target area being sized and adapted so that the sports ball may pass therethrough.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said first and said second upright pole assemblies include a plurality of pole sections telescopically mounted to one another.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  including a receptacle supported by said support assembly that is sized and adapted to receive the sports ball.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said base member has a bay formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive said receptacle.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  including 
 (A) a first coupling member supported by said first upright pole assembly;    (B) a second coupling member supported by said second upright pole assembly; and    (C) wherein said first and said second coupling members interconnect said target member to a respective one of said first and second pole assemblies and wherein each said coupling member has 
 (1) a released state whereby said target member may be selectably positioned so as to orient the target plane in a selected angular orientation relative to the support surface; and  
 (2) a secured state whereby said target member is retained in the selected angular orientation.  
   
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said target member may be selectively rotated about a rotation axis that is generally parallel to the support surface when in the released state.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said target member is annular.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  including a chute depending from said target member, said sports ball being guided by said chute after it passes through the target area.  
   
   
       20 . A method of improving a player's skills associated with a selected sports activity, comprising: 
 (A) elevating a target member a selected distance above a support surface wherein said target member has an opening forming a target area that has a target boundary generally defining a target plane, said target area being sized and adapted so that the sports ball may pass therethrough;    (B) positioning said target member so as to orient the target plane at a selected first angular orientation to said support surface;    (C) securing said target member to retain the selected first orientation of the target plane;    (D) projecting a sports ball through the target opening;    (E) thereafter positioning said target member at a selected second angular orientation to said support surface; and    (F) securing said target member to retain the second selected orientation.