Lacrosse training apparatus and method

Abstract

A lacrosse training apparatus is disclosed and includes a head, a rod and a mass. The head includes a first dimension defining a first longitudinal axis and a second dimension. The rod includes a length and is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head. The mass is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rod. The mass is configured to move at least partially along the length of the rod in response to a desired motion of the head.

1 . A lacrosse training apparatus, comprising: 
 a head having a first dimension defining a longitudinal axis and second dimension;    a rod having a length and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head; and    a mass disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rod;    wherein the mass is configured to move at least partially along the length of the rod in response to a desired motion of the head.    
   
   
       2 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mass is configured to move at least partially along the length of the rod from a proximal portion of the head towards a distal portion of the head in response to a desired motion of the head.  
   
   
       3 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mass is configured not to move along the entire length of the rod in response to a non-desired movement of the head.  
   
   
       4 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second rod having a length and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and wherein the mass is configured to move at least partially along the lengths of the first and second rods in response to a desired motion of the head.  
   
   
       6 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the mass is configured to move at least partially along the length of the rods from a proximal portion of the head towards a distal portion of the head in response to a desired motion of the head.  
   
   
       7 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the mass is configured not to move along the entire length of the rods in response to a non-desired movement of the head.  
   
   
       8 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the rods are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       9 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to engage a shaft adjacent a proximal portion of the head.  
   
   
       10 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a shuttle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the mass and being slidable along the rod.  
   
   
       11 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a first shuttle and a second shuttle, the shuttles being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the mass, the first shuttle being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the first rod and the second shuttle being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the second rod.  
   
   
       12 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mass is the approximate weight of a lacrosse ball.  
   
   
       13 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft disposed in mechanical cooperation with a proximal portion of the head and being disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       14 . The lacrosse training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an accelerometer disposed in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the head, rod and mass.  
   
   
       15 . A method of training a user to throw a lacrosse ball, comprising: 
 providing a lacrosse training apparatus, including: 
 a head;  
 a rod having a length and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head; and  
 a mass being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the rod;  
   providing feedback, including: 
 moving the mass at least partially along the length of the rod in response to a desired movement of the head.  
   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing feedback further includes impeding movement of the mass along the rod in response to a non-desired movement of the head.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including a second rod having a length and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and wherein the mass is configured to move at least partially along the lengths of the first and second rods in response to a desired motion of the head.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including a first shuttle and a second shuttle, the shuttles being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the mass, the first shuttle being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the first rod and the second shuttle being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the second rod.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further including a shaft disposed in mechanical cooperation with a proximal portion of the head and being disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.