Tennis serve training device

Abstract

A tennis skill training device having a grip emulating a tennis racquet grip sized to be held by a user when employing the device for training. The grip has a length and circumference, a butt end and a distal end. The device further includes a flexible umbilical having first and second ends, the first end being attached to and emanating from the distal end of the grip and a weight attached to the second end of the umbilical, the length of the device being measured from its butt end of the pip to the weight being approximately the length of a tennis racquet. The device is particularly suitable for carrying out a method of training a user to properly serve a tennis ball.

1 . A tennis skill training device comprising a grip emulating a tennis racket grip sized for being held by a user when employing said device for training, said grip having a length, a circumference, a butt end and a distal end, a flexible umbilical having first and second ends, said first end attached to and emanating from said distal end of said grip and a weight attached to said second end of said umbilical, the length of said device measured from said butt end of said grip to said weight being approximately the length of a tennis racket. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said grip comprises an expanded cap at said butt end. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said grip comprises eight flat beveled surfaces about its circumference. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said grip comprises a raised marker on its circumference indicating hand placement for proper use of said device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said grip comprises two raised markers, one for left handed users and one for right handed users. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said umbilical comprises a material that is capable of stretching from its at test length during use of said device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said umbilical comprises a material that is capable of stretching up to approximately 1 inch in length from its at rest length during use of said device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said weight is approximately 13 to 15 ozs. in mass. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said umbilical comprises a member selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and thermoplastic elastomers. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said grip, umbilical and weight are composed of the same member and are of a unitary construction. 
     
     
         11 . A method of training a user to properly serve a tennis ball to commence a game of tennis, said method comprising providing a device having a grip emulating a tennis racquet grip sized for being held by a user when employing said device for training, said grip having a length, a circumference, a butt end and a distal end, a flexible umbilical having first and second ends, said first end attached to and emanating from said distal end of said grip and a weight attached to said second end of said umbilical, the length of said device measured from said butt end of said grip to said weight being approximately the length of a tennis racquet, swinging said weight overhead to emulate the overhead swing of a tennis racquet and bringing said device downward in a continuous arc of motion while maintaining tautness of said umbilical between said grip and said weight. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said grip comprises a raised marker on its circumference indicating the hand placement for proper use of said device, wherein upon grasping said grip, the thumb and index finger of a user are caused to reside against said marker during use of said device.