Tennis stroke training apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for improving a stroke technique for a racquet sport comprising a frame extension or a modified-type racquet frame and a training mat. Other aspects of the invention are also provided.

1 . A racquet stroke training device comprising an extended halo member ( 10 ) which comprises a solid or hollow elongated material shaped to extend substantially around the periphery of a racquet frame head ( 30 ) and having attachment means for joining to the racquet frame ( 20 ) by at least one halo-frame coupling point.  
     
     
         2 . A racquet stroke training device comprising an extended halo racquet which comprises an extended halo member ( 10 ) coupled to a racquet frame ( 20 ) through an attachment means on at least one halo-frame coupling point.  
     
     
         3 . The racquet stroke training device of  claim 2  wherein the racquet frame ( 20 ) is the frame of a conventional tennis racquet.  
     
     
         4 . The racquet stroke training device of  claim 1  wherein the device is a halo-frame racquet wherein the extended halo member is an integrated structural component of the racquet frame.  
     
     
         5 . The stroke training device of  claim 2  wherein the extended halo member ( 10 ) further comprises a distinctive coloration cue located on one or more positions on the extended halo member ( 10 ) which can be observed by the user during practice swings and which will indicate either proper or improper swing geometry based upon the face angle of the striking surface ( 60 ) of the racquet head ( 20 ).  
     
     
         6 . The stroke training device of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of coloration cues are located on the extended halo member ( 10 ), with a first coloration cue comprising a first color located on the extended halo member ( 10 ) at a position which is substantially invisible to the user if the swing motion is correct and substantially visible to the user if the swing motion is incorrect in at least one respect, and with a second coloration which is substantially visible to the user if the swing motion is correct and substantially invisible to the user if the swing motion is incorrect in at least one respect.  
     
     
         7 . A stroke training device comprising an extended halo member ( 10 ) having at least one position for attachment of ancillary devices selected from the group consisting of:: (i) weight components, (ii) stability bars, (iii) level detectors, (iv) illumination sources, (v) acoustic holes or slits which provide a first sound frequency when the racquet face is oriented perpendicular to the airflow passing the racquet head and a second sound frequency when the racquet face is oriented other than perpendicular to the relative airflow passing the racquet head, (vi) vibrating means which provide a vibrational signal to the user when the racquet face is other than perpendicular to the ground or to the relative airflow, (vii) tactile means to provide a tactile signal to the user to report completion of a proper wrap wherein the extended halo member ( 10 ) makes contact with the user's shoulder after completion of the racquet swing, and (viii) an electronic sensor to provide an electronic or radio signal reporting the relative angle of the racquet face to the ground and/or relative airflow.  
     
     
         8 . The stroke training device of  claim 7  wherein the stroke training device is a halo-frame racquet wherein the extended halo member is an integrated structural component of the racquet frame.  
     
     
         9 . A stroke training device comprising an extended halo member ( 10 ) which is detachable into a plurality of smaller pieces which can be reversibly or irreversibly joined and/or which comprises a telescoping portion.  
     
     
         10 . A training mat comprising a foldable sheet or semisolid mat having at least two foot position markings for a first foot position and a second foot position, and a plurality of swing position markings denoting at least a first and second racquet swing position.  
     
     
         11 . The training mat of  claim 10  wherein the swing position markings comprise different coloration cues.  
     
     
         12 . The training mat of  claim 11  wherein the training mat comprises a first foot position and a second foot position and a first racquet swing position marking of a first color and a second racquet swing position marking of a second color, wherein the colors of the racquet swing position markings correspond to the coloration cue on an extended halo member ( 10 ) that would be visible to the user if the racquet face angle was correct at that point in the swing.  
     
     
         13 . A kit comprising either a halo-frame racquet or an extended halo member ( 10 ) and instructions for using said halo-frame racquet or said extended halo member attached to a conventional racquet.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  further comprising a training mat of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13  further comprising an instructional video.  
     
     
         16 . An instructional material, comprising a booklet or audio-visual recording wherein a method of using a stroke training device of claims  1 - 7  and/or the training mat of claims  10 - 12  is described.  
     
     
         17 . The use of a stroke training device comprising an extended halo member, a training mat, and a racquet.  
     
     
         18 . The use of the stroke training device of  claim 17  wherein the extended halo member is a portion of a halo-frame racquet.  
     
     
         19 . A training mat comprising a sheet or mat and markings for a plurality of foot positions and a plurality of racquet positions, wherein the markings are located at positions that demonstrate the correct racquet and foot positions for a forehand or backhand swing in a racquet sport.  
     
     
         20 . The training mat of  claim 19  wherein the markings are removable and can be emplaced at alternative locations on the mat.  
     
     
         21 . The training mat of  19  wherein reference points for foot position and racquet position are printed or embossed on the mat or sheet.  
     
     
         22 . The training mat of  claim 19  and an instruction booklet describing use of the mat in conjunction with a tennis racquet or halo-frame racquet to train a forehand or backhand swing.  
     
     
         23 . An online coaching system comprising a first computer having input user data indicating the user's practice using either ( 1 ) an extended halo member and a conventional racquet or ( 2 ) a halo-frame racquet, and producing output comprising coaching advice transmitted over a network to a second computer.