Sports training apparatus and method of using the same

Abstract

An apparatus for practicing athletic skills for a sport that uses a net includes a support frame for mounting on the net and a pair of blocking assemblies supported by the frame. Each of the blocking assemblies includes a blocking paddle that extends upwardly from the frame above the top edge of the net. The blocking paddle may have the size and/or shape of an adult human hand, and it may be supported by an arm having the size and/or shape of an adult human forearm. Each blocking paddle may be secured relative to the support frame so that it may be selectively and independently oriented. The support frame may have top and bottom portions that engage the net, and it may be translatable alongside the net. A lobe may project upwardly from the frame and be sized similarly to an adult human head.

1 . An apparatus for use by an athlete when practicing athletic skills for a sport utilizing a horizontal net that is suspended above a support surface and that has top edge and a bottom edge and that defines a vertical plane when suspended, comprising: 
 (A) a support frame adapted to be mounted on the net in a mounted state; and    (B) a pair of blocking assemblies supported by said frame, each said blocking assembly including a blocking paddle that extends from said frame generally above the top edge of the net when said frame is in the mounted state.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each said blocking assembly includes an arm having a proximal portion secured to said frame, said blocking paddle secured to said arm at a distal end thereof.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said arm has a size and shape about that of an adult human forearm.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each said blocking paddle is configured in the shape of a human hand and has a size about that of an adult human hand.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said blocking paddles are formed of low density, break resistant plastic.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each said blocking paddle is secured relative to said support frame whereby each blocking paddle may be placed in a selected orientation independently of one another.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  including a pair of locking pivot gear fasteners mounted on said support frame, one of said blocking paddles being pivotally supported by each of said locking pivot gear fasteners whereby each said blocking paddle may be placed and releasably locked in a selected pivotal orientation with respect to said support frame.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  including an auxiliary extension arm corresponding to each of said locking pivot gear fasteners, a proximal end portion of each extension arm being securable to its respective locking pivot gear fastener and a respective blocking paddle being securable to a distal end portion of each extension arm.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support frame has a top portion that engages the top edge of said net and a bottom portion that engages the bottom edge of the net, said support frame being translatable alongside the net whereby said frame may be selectively positioned therealong.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the top portion of said support frame is provided with at least one roller that engages the top edge of said net whereby said frame may be rolled along the top edge of said net for translation therealong.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support frame is generally rectangular in shape including a pair of spaced-apart legs each having a longitudinally extending central leg axis and each forming a respective one of the sides of said support frame, a lower crosspiece extending between said legs and an upper crosspiece extending between said legs at a selected distance therefrom, said blocking assemblies respectively secured to and extending upwardly from each said leg.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  including a locking pivot gear fastener mounted on each said leg, one of said blocking paddles being pivotally supported by each of said locking pivot gear fasteners whereby each said blocking paddle may be placed and releasably locked in a selected pivotal orientation with respect to the axis of the respective leg.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said upper crosspiece has an upwardly projecting lobe located between said legs.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said lobe is configured to have a size and shape about that of an adult human head.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the selected distance between said upper and lower crosspieces may be selectively adjusted.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for use by an athlete when practicing athletic skills for a sport utilizing a horizontal net that is suspended above a support surface and that has top edge and a bottom edge and that defines a vertical plane when suspended, comprising: 
 (A) a support frame adapted to be mounted on the net in a mounted state, said support frame being generally rectangular in shape including a pair of spaced-apart legs each having a longitudinally extending central leg axis and each forming a respective one of the sides of said support frame, a lower crosspiece extending between said legs and an upper crosspiece extending between said legs at a selected distance therefrom;    (B) at least one roller disposed on said upper crosspiece and operative to engage the top edge of the net when in the mounted state whereby said support frame may be rollably supported by the top edge of the net for translation therealong, said lower crosspiece engaging the lower edge of the net;    (C) a locking pivot gear fastener secured to each of said legs;    (D) a blocking assembly supported by each said locking pivot gear fastener in spaced-apart relation to one another, each said blocking assembly including a blocking paddle that extends generally above the top edge of the net when said support frame is in the mounted state.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein each said blocking assembly includes an arm having a proximal portion secured to said frame, said blocking paddle secured to said arm at a distal end thereof.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said arm has a size and shape about that of an adult human forearm.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein each said blocking paddle is configured in the shape of a human hand and has a size about that of an adult human hand.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein each said blocking paddle is secured relative to said support frame whereby each blocking paddle may be placed in a selected orientation independently of one another.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said upper crosspiece has an upwardly projecting lobe located between said legs.  
   
   
       22 . A method of training an athlete in the sport of volleyball, comprising: 
 (A) providing a training apparatus the includes a pair of independently moveable blocking paddles;    (B) securing said training apparatus to a volleyball net in a manner that permits translation of said training apparatus along said net;    (C) adjustably orienting said blocking paddles to desired locations; and    (D) having the athlete attempt to send a volleyball past said training apparatus as if said training apparatus were a defender against the athlete.    
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 22  including a step of translating said training apparatus along the net while the athlete is attempting to send the volleyball past said training apparatus.