Knitted goal shot training systems and devices

Abstract

Goal shot training systems and devices comprise a training covering having a top edge, a bottom edge, and side edges. The devices are configured to obscure a net of a goal, and the covering is composed of a knit material defining multiple openings such that air passes through the covering. The covering material creates negative viewing space by obscuring visual access behind the training covering and forms at least one user-configurable opening that allows visual access of positive viewing space including a portion of the net of the goal when the covering is affixed to the goal. A user may configure the covering to practice shots originating from different positions on a playing area by adjusting the location of the covering relative to the net of the goal.

1 . A goal shot training device comprising:
 a training covering having a top edge, a bottom edge, and side edges and being configured to obscure a net of a goal, the covering composed of a knit material defining multiple openings such that air passes through the covering, the material creating negative space by obscuring visual access behind the training covering and forming at least one user-configurable opening that allows visual access of positive space including a portion of the net of the goal when the covering is affixed to the goal;   wherein a user may configure the covering to practice shots originating from different positions on a playing area by adjusting the location of the covering relative to the net of the goal.   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1  further comprising a band of brightly colored material running between at least one side edge and a top or bottom edge of the covering. 
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 1  wherein the covering is translucent. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 1  wherein the covering further comprises an attachment mechanism configured to be affixed around a top bar of a goal and hold the training cover in place relative to the goal. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 1  wherein the knit material is opaque. 
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 1  wherein the covering is substantially cross-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 6  wherein the cross shape has a body that extends substantially from the ground to a crossbar of the goal and a pair of side extensions extending laterally from the body. 
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 7  wherein the openings are non-square-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 8  wherein the openings are substantially teardrop-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A goal shooting training system in combination with a goal, 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 a top edge, a bottom edge, and side edges and being configured to obscure a net of a soccer goal, the goal cover composed of a knit material defining multiple openings such that air passes through the goal cover, the goal cover obscuring a majority of the net from view from a playing area, the knit material being of a color that creates a visual contrast with a minority portion of the net that is viewable from a playing area;   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.   
     
     
         11 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  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. 
     
     
         12 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 11  wherein the openings are non-square-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 11  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 goal cover 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. 
     
     
         14 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  wherein the goal cover can be configured for shots originating at a penalty kick position consisting of positioning the goal cover such that it obscures the net except for a pair of openings are created along each post from the ground to the cross bar. 
     
     
         15 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  wherein the goal cover can be configured for shooting shots from the side of the field consisting of positioning the goal cover such that it 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. 
     
     
         16 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  wherein the knit material is opaque. 
     
     
         17 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 12  wherein the openings are substantially teardrop-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  wherein the goal cover is translucent. 
     
     
         19 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  further comprising a band of brightly colored material running between at least one side edge and a top or bottom edge of the covering. 
     
     
         20 . The goal shooting training system of  claim 10  wherein the goal cover maintains its original position in windy conditions.