Training systems and methods for improving accuracy in an activity

Abstract

The present embodiments provide a system for improving ability level in an activity. The system comprises a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color, and a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color. The second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and the second color is different than the first color. In one embodiment, the first target is a first home plate, and the second target is a second home plate. The first home plate may comprise a first width and the second home plate may comprise a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. Additionally, user instructions are provided that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals. The user instructions may be selected based on various user characteristics.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for improving ability level in an activity, the system comprising:
 a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color;   a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color,   wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and wherein the second color is different than the first color; and   user instructions that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first target is a first home plate, and wherein the second target is a second home plate. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a portable rubber, wherein the portable rubber may be selectively moved forward or backward relative to the first home plate and the second home plate, according to the sequence of distances provided in the user instructions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the first home plate comprises a first width and the second home plate comprising a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a third home plate comprising a third width and a third color, wherein the third width is greater than the second width, and wherein the third color is different than the first color and the second color. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a fourth home plate comprising a fourth width and a fourth color, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width, and wherein the fourth color is different than the first color, the second color and the third color. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  where the activity interval comprises a day. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  where the user instructions further specify an activity to perform during the activity interval. 
     
     
         9 . A method for improving ability level in an activity, the method comprising:
 providing a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color;   providing a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color,   wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and wherein the second color is different than the first color; and   providing user instructions that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising ascertaining user characteristics to facilitate selecting specific user instructions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the user characteristics is age. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the user characteristics identifies a particular activity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the user instructions recite at least one additional parameter besides the sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals, wherein at least one of the additional parameters is a number of throws when the first target is positioned at a first distance from the user. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the additional parameters is an activity to be performed on a day off from using the first and second targets. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , where the activity interval comprises a day. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , where the user instructions further specify an activity to perform during the activity interval. 
     
     
         17 . A product comprising:
 a machine readable medium; and   logic stored on the medium that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
 accept user characteristics as input; and 
 select and display user training instructions based on the user characteristics, the user instructions specifying:
 a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color; 
 a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color, 
 wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and wherein the second color is different than the first color; and 
 a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The product of  claim 17  wherein at least one of the user characteristics is age. 
     
     
         19 . The product of  claim 17  wherein at least one of the user characteristics identifies a particular activity. 
     
     
         20 . The product of  claim 17 , wherein the activity interval comprises a day.