Lacrosse training system

Abstract

A lacrosse training device for practicing the action of checking an offensive player, the lacrosse training device comprising: an essentially vertical center member having the height of a lacrosse player; an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at approximately shoulder height of a lacrosse player extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm's length; a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion; and an oscillating device coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon manual movement of the playing stick portion from a first position to a second position, the oscillating device will cause the arm portion to pivot about the center member with an oscillating motion.

1 . A lacrosse training device for practicing the action of checking an offensive player, the lacrosse training device comprising: 
 an essentially vertical center member having the height of a lacrosse player;    an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at approximately shoulder height of a lacrosse player extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm's length;    a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion; and    an oscillating device coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon manual movement of the playing stick portion from a first position to a second position, the oscillating device will cause the arm portion to pivot about the center member with an oscillating motion.    
   
   
       2 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  further comprising a lateral screen member extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm's length in a direction essentially opposite that of the extending arm portion.  
   
   
       3 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  further comprising a lateral screen member extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm's length at an angle to the extending arm portion.  
   
   
       4 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  in which the playing stick portion comprises a lacrosse stick.  
   
   
       5 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  in which the playing stick portion comprises a vertical stick portion.  
   
   
       6 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  in which the playing stick portion comprises a shaped net pocket portion at an end of a stick portion.  
   
   
       7 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  in which the oscillating device portion comprises one or more spring members coupled between the extending arm portion and the center member.  
   
   
       8 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 3  in which the oscillating device portion comprises one or more spring members coupled between the extending arm portion and the lateral screen member.  
   
   
       9 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible joint between the distal end of the extending arm portion and the playing stick portion.  
   
   
       10 . A lacrosse training device for practicing the action of checking an offensive player, the lacrosse training device comprising: 
 an essentially vertical center member having the height of a lacrosse player;    an arm portion pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the vertical center member at approximately shoulder height of a lacrosse player extending outwardly from the vertical center member a distance of approximately arm's length;    a playing stick portion coupled to the arm portion at a proximal end of the arm portion; and    an oscillating device coupled between the arm portion and the vertical center member, wherein upon actuation the oscillating device will cause the extending arm portion to pivot about the center member with an oscillating motion.    
   
   
       11 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 10  in which the oscillating device comprises an electric motor.  
   
   
       12 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 10  in which the oscillating device comprises a gas-powered motor.  
   
   
       13 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 10  in which the oscillating device causes a periodic, repeating motion.  
   
   
       14 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 10  in which the oscillating device causes a continuous oscillating motion.  
   
   
       15 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 10  in which the oscillating device causes an oscillating motion in the extending arm portion for a predetermined number of oscillations.  
   
   
       16 . The lacrosse training device of  claim 10  in which the oscillating device causes an oscillating motion in the extending arm portion for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       17 . A method of practicing the skill of checking, a defenseman's action used in the sport game of lacrosse, the method comprising the following steps: 
 obtaining a lacrosse training device in which a center member supports a vertical extending arm with playing stick portion; and    inducing an oscillation of the vertical extending arm and playing stick portion back and forth about the center member, whereby the oscillating extending arm and playing stick portion resemble the action of a lacrosse player moving the ball in a forward position.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 18  in which the playing stick portion comprises a handle portion with a shaped net pocket at one end containing a lacrosse ball, the method further comprising the following step: 
 using a lacrosse stick to dislodge the lacrosse ball from the shaped net pocket at one end of the oscillating playing stick portion.