Soccer Training Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A soccer training apparatus comprising a generally cross-shaped net and a stabilizing device that holds the net in a selected position relative to a soccer goal. The net is sized smaller than the goal and can be position to cover a central portion of the goal. The net can be held in place by cords and straps and/or a rigid frame attached to the soccer field. A stabilizing device can be used to hold the net in place so that the net can be readily moved in a position on the goal line to simulate the reach of a goalkeeper during a penalty kick or in a position in front of the goal line to simulate the reach of a goalkeeper during a place kick. The net can also be used as mini-goal or smaller sized goal during a short-sided soccer game.

1 . A soccer training apparatus comprising:
 a net capable of being placed in a deployed position adjacent a soccer goal frame and above a soccer playing surface so as to cover a portion of a goal opening bounded by the soccer goal frame and soccer playing surface, the net including a peripheral edge sized and shaped to allow a gap to extend entirely around the net when the net is the deployed position such that the gap separates the net from the soccer goal frame and the soccer playing surface, the gap having a size sufficient to allow a soccer ball to pass through the gap and enter the goal opening; and   a stabilizing device connected to the net and adapted to keep the net in the deployed position.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the net is generally cross-shaped and has a first side portion, a second side portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second side portions, the middle portion having an overall area greater than the individual overall areas of the first and second side portions. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein when the net is in the deployed position, the middle portion has a horizontal top edge and a horizontal bottom edge and each of the first and second side portions has an arctuate top edge and an arctuate bottom edge. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing device includes a rod and two leg members, the rod attached to a bottom edge of the middle portion, each leg member having an end attached to the rod and an opposite end attached to a plurality of spikes insertable into the soccer playing surface. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing device includes a net frame attached to the peripheral edge of the net. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the stabilizing device includes a brace attached to the net frame, the brace extending in a rearward direction away from a blocking plane defined by the net frame. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the brace includes a lower elongate member and an upper elongate member, the lower elongate member having a coupled end connected to the net frame and a free end capable of engaging the soccer playing surface, the upper elongate member having a first coupled end attached to the net frame and second coupled end attached to the lower elongate member. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edge of the net includes a plurality of corners when the net is in the deployed position and the stabilizing device includes a plurality of cords, each one of the cords cord attached to a different one of the corners. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the net is not connected to the soccer goal frame. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gap has a size sufficient to allow a soccer ball to pass through any segment of the gap. 
   
   
       11 . A soccer training method comprising:
 using a net to cover a portion of a goal opening bounded by a soccer goal frame and a soccer playing surface; and   positioning the net so that a gap extends entirely around the net, the gap separating the net from the soccer goal frame and the soccer playing surface, the gap having a size sufficient to allow a soccer ball to pass through the gap and enter the goal opening.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a compliant peripheral edge on the net to simulate the flexibility of a goalkeepers outstretched fingers. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 providing a plurality of cords connected to the net;   attaching the plurality of cords to the soccer goal frame; and   extending one of the plurality of cords across a portion of the gap to reduce the probability that a ball moving toward the gap will enter the goal opening.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning the net in front of the soccer goal frame so that a forward distance separates a peripheral edge of the net and the soccer goal frame. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising selecting the forward distance so that a ball moving toward the gap will have a lesser probability of entering the goal opening when moving in a direction perpendicular to a blocking plane defined by the peripheral edge of the net than in an oblique direction relative to the blocking plane. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the net is generally cross-shaped and has first side portion, a second side portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second side portions, the middle portion having an overall area greater than the individual overall areas of the first and second side portions. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising stabilizing the net so that the middle portion has a horizontal top edge and a horizontal bottom edge and each of the first and second side portions has an arctuate top edge and an arctuate bottom edge. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gap includes a rectangular lower gap and a rectangular upper gap, the lower gap separating the middle portion from the soccer playing surface by a distance from 0.3 meter (1 foot) to 0.6 meter (2 feet), the upper gap separating the middle portion from the soccer goal frame by a distance equivalent or substantially equivalent to 0.3 meter (1 foot). 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gap includes a first side gap and a second side gap, the first side gap separating the first side portion from the soccer goal frame, the second side gap separating the second side portion from the soccer goal frame, each of the first and second side gaps having a minimum width and a maximum width, the minimum width equivalent or substantially equivalent to 1.5 meters (5 feet), the maximum width equivalent or substantially equivalent to 2.3 meters (7.5 feet).