Mobile Practice Targets

Abstract

A mobile practice target is described, which includes (a) a framework comprising a base support and at least one substantially vertical support extending above said base support and an angled support associated with said substantially vertical support, wherein said angled support is at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the substantially vertical support, (b) a means for capturing a football propelled at the mobile practice target comprising resilient material attached to said vertical and angled supports, said means comprising a pocket formed from a resilient material for containing the propelled football and having at least one opening for receiving the propelled football into the pocket, (c) said pocket comprising an unobstructed opening for receiving a propelled football from the horizontal direction and further comprising an opening for receiving a propelled football from above, and (d) a mobility means associated with the base support to facilitate movement of the mobile practice target to simulate dynamic training conditions such as encountered by athletes under game conditions.

1 . A mobile practice target, comprising
 (a) a framework comprising a base support and at least one substantially vertical support extending above said base support and an angled support associated with said substantially vertical support, wherein said angled support is at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the substantially vertical support,   (b) a means for capturing a football propelled at the mobile practice target comprising resilient material attached to said vertical and angled supports, said means comprising a pocket formed from a resilient material for containing the propelled football and having at least one opening for receiving the propelled football into the pocket,   (c) said pocket comprising an unobstructed opening for receiving a propelled football from the horizontal direction and further comprising an opening for receiving a propelled football from above, and   (d) a mobility means associated with the base support to facilitate transport of the mobile practice target, said mobility means comprising wheels, ball rollers, casters, or a combination thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises a base support of one or more spaced-apart members and two substantially vertical supports extending above said base support. 
   
   
       3 . The mobile practice target of  claim 2 , wherein said substantially vertical supports have a bend at the upper ends thereby forming the angled support associated with the substantially vertical support. 
   
   
       4 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises a base support of one or more spaced apart members connected via a connecting member, and a single substantially vertical support extending above said connecting member and having an angled support associated therewith via a two pronged cross-member attached to the vertical support and oriented at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the substantially vertical support. 
   
   
       5 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is removably attached to the vertical support and the angled support. 
   
   
       6 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket formed from a resilient material further comprises a baffle. 
   
   
       7 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the vertical support is adjustable. 
   
   
       8 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein said framework comprises metal, wood, plastic, graphite, glass, ceramic, resin, or composites thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein said practice target is formed from a framework constructed from metal or light-weight plastic in sections that can be easily press fit together. 
   
   
       10 . The mobile practice target of  claim 9 , wherein elastomeric connectors are provided through openings in the framework. 
   
   
       11 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient material comprises cloth, mesh or netting, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , further comprising targeting lines or a target image placed to guide a user in targeting the propelled object to one or more precise targets. 
   
   
       13 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , further comprising an image or silhouette of a football player positioned behind said unobstructed opening. 
   
   
       14 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , further comprising a second, smaller opening below said unobstructed opening. 
   
   
       15 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , further comprising hinges connecting said vertical support to said base support, and additional hinges connecting said angled support to said vertical support, such that said vertical and angled supports can be folded against said base support. 
   
   
       16 . The mobile practice target of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more gas springs connected between said angled support and said vertical support, and/or between said vertical support and said base support. 
   
   
       17 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , wherein said mobility means comprises two cambered wheels attached to said base support, wherein said cambered wheels are tilted inward at the top by from about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees from the vertical. 
   
   
       18 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , further comprising a space-frame removably attached to said resilient material. 
   
   
       19 . The mobile practice target of  claim 1 , further comprising a container, large enough to hold at least 10 footballs, in receiving relationship to a hole in the bottom of said pocket. 
   
   
       20 . A method of improving the ball placement skills of an individual utilizing the mobile practice target of  claim 1 , comprising propelling an object into an opening for receiving a propelled object from the horizontal direction or the opening for receiving a propelled object from above.