Training Hoop

Abstract

An oblong hoop formed of six tube pieces fitted together end to end has tube junctions at each of four beveled corners. A pair of telescoping side junctions preferably connects side tubes together to make the oblong hoop extendable and retractable in length. The hoop can be used in three ways during three stages of learning—first, with the pupil supported in the front region of the hoop and an instructor within the hoop and close behind the pupil, second, with the pupil remaining forward in the hoop and the instructor moving to a rear region of the hoop, and third, with the pupil remaining in the forward region of the hoop, and the instructor moving outside the hoop to hold onto a rear region of the hoop.

1 . A training hoop for skiing, snowboarding, or skating, the training hoop comprising: 
 a substantially rigid, oblong hoop formed of lengths of tubes having ends dimensioned to fit together at junctions;    the oblong hoop having rear beveled corners and front beveled corners with the tube junctions arranged at each of the beveled corners;    tube lengths forming longitudinal sides of the oblong hoop being joined in telescopically adjustable side tube junctions; and    the hoop being disassembleable into six compactly transportable pieces.    
   
   
       2 . The training hoop of  claim 1  including hand grips arranged on rearward lengths of the longitudinal side tubes.  
   
   
       3 . The training hoop of  claim 1  including a pad on a front tube.  
   
   
       4 . The training hoop of  claim 1  including push pin connectors releasably holding the tube junctions in an assembled state.  
   
   
       5 . The training hoop of  claim 1  including longitudinal front side tubes having bends entering the front beveled corners, a front tube having bent ends extending into the front beveled corners, longitudinal rear side tubes having bends entering the rear beveled corners, and a rear tube having bent ends extending into the rear beveled corners.  
   
   
       6 . The training hoop of  claim 1  including the hoop being about 24-28″ wide and having a telescoping length of between 36 and 52″ long.  
   
   
       7 . A method of teaching skiing or skating, the method using a training hoop and comprising: 
 the hoop being held and manipulated by an instructor in a first stage to surround the bodies of the instructor and a pupil so that the pupil is positioned in a front region of the hoop and the instructor is positioned close behind the pupil;    the hoop being positioned so that a front region of the hoop extends across the pupil's chest and under the pupils armpits; and    the instructor holding longitudinal sides of the hoop to support and guide the pupil.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the instructor grips sides of the hoop to hold up the front region of the hoop to help the pupil avoid a fall.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the instructor in a second stage is positioned in a rear region of the hoop spaced behind the pupil positioned in the front region of the hoop.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the hoop is telescopically extended to become more oblong in the second stage.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the instructor in a third stage is positioned outside the hoop holding a rear region of the hoop while the pupil is positioned in the front region of the hoop.  
   
   
       12 . A training hoop for skiing, snowboarding, or skating, the training hoop comprising: 
 six tubular pieces having diameters that receive end regions of one tubular piece within an end region of another tubular piece;    a front tubular piece having bends near each opposite end leading to front tube junctions at opposite front corners of an oblong hoop;    a rear tubular piece having bends near each opposite ends leading to rear tube junctions at opposite rear corners of the hoop;    a pair of front side tubular pieces having bends near forward ends leading respectively to the front tube junctions;    a pair of rear side tubular pieces having bends near rear ends leading respectively to the rear tube junctions; and    the front side and rear side tubular pieces being telescopically joined adjustably together on respective opposite sides of the oblong hoop.    
   
   
       13 . The training hoop of  claim 12  including a pad on the front tubular piece.  
   
   
       14 . The training hoop of  claim 12  including hand grips arranged on the rear tubular pieces.  
   
   
       15 . The training hoop of  claim 12  including push pin connectors releasably holding the tube junctions together.  
   
   
       16 . The training hoop of  claim 12  wherein the six tubular pieces are disassembleable for transport.