Sports skills training device

Abstract

There is provided a sports skills training device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, in which a first end of the first elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the first elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a first limb of the wearer of the device; a first end of the second elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the second elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a second limb of the wearer of the device; and, the waist belt further includes means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic members. There are further provided uses of the device and methods comprising use of the device.

1 . A sports skills training device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, in which a first end of the first elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the first elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a first limb of the wearer of the device; a first end of the second elastic member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the second elastic member is arranged for removable engagement, in use, with a second limb of the wearer of the device; and the waist belt further includes means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic members. 
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the waist belt is formed from a non-elastic material. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein each means to restrain the waist belt is formed from a non-elastic material. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein each means to restrain the waist belt comprises a loop through which, in use, a leg of the wearer passes. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1  in which the first end of the first elastic member and the first end of the second elastic member are attached directly to the waist belt. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising a joining member wherein a first end of the joining member is attached to the waist belt and a second end of the joining member is attached to the first and/or second elastic member. 
   
   
       7 . Use of a device according to  claim 1  to increase speed and/or accuracy of a movement associated with a specific sport. 
   
   
       8 . Use of a device according to  claim 7  to increase bowling speed and/or accuracy of a cricket bowler. 
   
   
       9 . Use of a device according to  claim 7  to increase speed and/or accuracy of a baseball or softball pitcher. 
   
   
       10 . Use of a device according to  claim 7  to increase club swing speed and/or accuracy of a golfer. 
   
   
       11 . Use of a device according to  claim 7  to increase arm return speed of a boxer. 
   
   
       12 . Method of increasing speed and/or accuracy of a movement associated with a specific sport with the use of a device comprising a waist belt, a first elastic member and a second elastic member, the waist belt further including means to restrain the waist belt in use against displacement under tension in the first and/or second elastic member, the method comprising the steps of:
 i) positioning the waist belt of the device around a user's waist;   ii) attaching a first end of the first elastic member to the waist belt;   iii) removably engaging a second end of the first elastic member with a first limb of the user;   iv) attaching a first end of the second elastic member to the waist belt;   v) removably engaging a second end of the second elastic member with a second limb of the user;   the user then performing the movement associated with said specific sport.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the specific sport is cricket, and the movement associated said sport is bowling, the user then performing the bowling action. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the specific sport is baseball or softball and the movement associated said sport is pitching, the user then performing the pitching action. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the specific sport is golf and the movement associated said sport is swinging the club, the user then performing the club swing action. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the specific sport is boxing and the movement associated said sport is punching, the user then performing a punching action. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the specific sport is swimming and the movement associated said sport is swimming, the user then performing a limb swimming action. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the specific sport is rowing and the movement associated said sport is stroking, the user then performing a stroke action.