Apparatus and method including hand controlling and ball tossing features

Abstract

A ball-toss training aid is provided, which includes a base piece configured to a user's wrist and having an axis parallel to the wrist. The base piece includes a curvature at an offset angle from the axis which protrudes into the user's palm so as to hold the wrist back at a desirable angle for tossing a ball. The training aid further includes a second piece having a first and second end such that the first end releasably attaches to the base piece and has a contour substantially parallel to the axis of the base piece. The second end of the second piece includes a curvature that protrudes over a ball held by the user so as to keep the index and middle fingers of the hand in a desirable extension. The training aid also includes a member coupled to the base piece, which releasably attaches to the user's forearm.

1 . A ball-toss training aid, comprising:
 a base piece shaped to configure to a user's wrist, having an axis parallel to the user's wrist, wherein the base piece includes a first end having a curvature that is at an offset angle from the axis, and wherein the curvature protrudes into a palm of a hand of the user so as to hold the wrist back at a desirable wrist angle for tossing a ball; and   a member coupled to the base piece and configured to be releasably attached to a user's forearm.   
   
   
       2 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the curvature comprises tabs extending from the plane of the first end. 
   
   
       3 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the desirable wrist angle is from about one hundred twenty-five degrees to about one hundred fifty-five degrees. 
   
   
       4 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a weight pouch. 
   
   
       5 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 4 , further comprising one or more weights configured to fit within the weight pouch. 
   
   
       6 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 1  further comprising a target mat, wherein the target mat identifies a desirable landing point for a tossed ball. 
   
   
       7 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 6 , wherein the target mat includes a bottom side having an adhesive material for attaching to a court surface. 
   
   
       8 . A ball-toss training aid, comprising:
 a base piece shaped to configure to a user's wrist, having an axis parallel to the user's wrist, wherein the base piece includes a first end having a curvature that is at an offset angle from the axis, and wherein the curvature protrudes into a palm of a hand of the user so as to hold the wrist back at a desirable wrist angle for tossing a ball;   a second piece having a first end and a second end,
 wherein the first end is configured to be releasably attached to the base piece, and has contour substantially parallel to the base piece, and 
 wherein the second end includes a curvature, and wherein the curvature of the second end protrudes over a ball held by the user so as to keep the index and middle fingers of the hand in a desirable extension; and 
   a member coupled to the base piece and configured to be releasably attached to a user's forearm.   
   
   
       9 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the curvature of the base piece comprises tabs angled out in the plane of the first end. 
   
   
       10 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the desirable wrist angle is from about one hundred twenty-five degrees to about one hundred fifty-five degrees. 
   
   
       11 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the member comprises at least one weight pouch. 
   
   
       12 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the second piece is generally shoe-horn shaped. 
   
   
       13 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 8  further comprising a target mat, wherein the target mat identifies a desirable landing point for a tossed ball. 
   
   
       14 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 13 , wherein the target mat includes an adhesive material adapted to releasably attach to the tossed. 
   
   
       15 . A ball-toss training aid, comprising:
 a base piece shaped to configure to a user's wrist, having an axis parallel to the user's wrist, and having a first and second portion,
 wherein the first portion includes a first end having a curvature that is at an offset angle from the axis of the base piece, and wherein the curvature protrudes into a palm of a hand of the user so as to hold the wrist back at a desirable wrist angle for tossing a ball; and 
 wherein the second portion extends from the first end of the first portion and includes a curvature, and wherein the curvature protrudes over a ball held by the user so as to keep the index and middle fingers of the hand in a desirable extension; and 
   a member coupled to the base piece and configured to be releasably attached to the user's forearm.   
   
   
       16 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 15 , wherein the curvature of the first portion of the base piece comprises tabs angled out in the plane of the first end of the first portion. 
   
   
       17 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 15 , wherein the second portion of the base piece is generally shoe-horn shaped. 
   
   
       18 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 15 , wherein the desirable wrist angle is from about one hundred twenty-five degrees to about one hundred fifty-five degrees. 
   
   
       19 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 15 , wherein the member comprises at least one weight pouch. 
   
   
       20 . A ball-toss training aid according to  claim 15  further comprising a target mat, wherein the target mat identifies a desirable landing point for a tossed ball.