Goal shot training system and methods

Abstract

A soccer training system is used to condition soccer players to make shots at the goal with an improved likelihood of scoring by conditioning the soccer players to aim towards the areas of the goal where shots are more likely to score. Similarly disclosed is a novel method of conditioning soccer players to improve their ability to score goals.

1 . A soccer training device in combination with a soccer goal comprising:
 a training covering configured to obscure a net of a soccer goal, the covering forming at least one user-configurable opening that allows a player shooting a soccer ball to see a portion of the net of the soccer goal when the covering is affixed to the soccer goal;   wherein a user may configure the covering to practice shots originating from different positions on a soccer field by adjusting the location of the covering relative to the net of the soccer goal;   wherein the user may configure the covering to be deployed symmetrically or asymmetrically across the goal;   wherein when the covering is affixed to the soccer goal, the combination of the covering and soccer goal comprises at least:   a configuration for shots originating at a penalty kick position consisting of positioning the covering whereby the covering obscures the net except for a pair of openings created along each post from the ground to the cross bar; and   a configuration for shooting shots from the side of the field consisting of positioning the covering whereby the covering obscures the net except for an opening created along the post furthest from the origin of the shot, the opening being from the ground to the cross bar.   
     
     
         2 . The soccer training device of  claim 1  wherein the covering further comprises a plurality of straps configured to be affixed around a top bar of a soccer goal and hold the training cover in place relative to the soccer goal. 
     
     
         3 . The soccer training device of  claim 1  wherein the covering is made of an opaque material. 
     
     
         4 . The soccer training device of  claim 1  wherein the covering is substantially cross-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The soccer training device of  claim 4  wherein the cross shape has a body that extends substantially from the ground to a crossbar of the soccer goal and a pair of arms extending laterally from the body. 
     
     
         6 . The soccer training device of  claim 5  wherein the cross shape resembles the arms and torso of a goalkeeper. 
     
     
         7 . The soccer training device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one support member and at least one receiver configured to receive the at least one support member. 
     
     
         8 . A goal shooting training system comprising:
 a goal cover adapted to be used in combination with a goal having two upright posts of equal height, a crossbar having two endpoints, each endpoint terminating at each upright post respectively, and a net affixed to the goal, wherein the crossbar is parallel to the ground at a height equal to the height of the posts;   the goal cover having one or more edges and obscuring a majority of the net from view from a soccer field, the goal cover being of a color sufficiently dark to create a visual contrast with a minority portion of the net that is viewable from a soccer field;   wherein the user may configure the goal cover such that the viewable minority portion consists of one or more of: an opening between the one or more edges of the goal cover and an upright post, an opening between the one or more edges and the crossbar, or an opening between the one or more edges and the ground.   
     
     
         9 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 8  wherein the goal cover is substantially cross shaped, the cross-shape having a body that extends substantially from the ground to the crossbar and a pair of arms extending laterally from the body. 
     
     
         10 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 9  wherein the cross shape resembles the arms and torso of a goalkeeper. 
     
     
         11 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 9  wherein the goal cover can be configured for shots originating substantially directly in front of the goal consisting of positioning the body and arms of the covering whereby the covering obscures the net except for openings at the top right corner, the top left corner, the bottom right corner, and the bottom left corner of the goal. 
     
     
         12 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 8  wherein the goal cover can be configured for shots originating at a penalty kick position consisting of positioning the covering whereby the covering obscures the net except for a pair of openings are created along each post from the ground to the cross bar. 
     
     
         13 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 8  wherein the goal cover can be configured for shooting shots from the side of the field consisting of positioning the covering whereby the covering obscures the net except for an opening created along the post furthest from the origin of the shot, the opening being from the ground to the cross bar. 
     
     
         14 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 8  wherein the goal cover is made of an opaque material. 
     
     
         15 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 8  wherein the goal cover can be deployed symmetrically or asymmetrically across the goal.