Athletic training tool and methods for using same

Abstract

A training tool for training an athlete to avoid undesired movement during a swinging action. The training tool is selectively adjustable to accommodate left- and right-handed athletes, as well as athletes of various sizes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training tool for training an athlete to avoid undesired movement during an activity, comprising:
 a base assembly having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the base assembly has an adjustable length relative to the longitudinal axis;   a guide assembly, comprising:
 a support arm having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the support arm has an adjustable length relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the first end of the base assembly, and wherein the support arm is configured for selective pivotal movement to adjust an orientation angle of the support arm, the orientation angle corresponding to the angular orientation of the longitudinal axis of the support arm relative to the longitudinal axis of the base assembly; and 
 a guide element coupled to the second end of the support arm and configured for selective rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the support arm to achieve a desired rotational orientation, wherein the guide element has a base portion proximate the second end of the support arm, and wherein the base portion of the guide element is positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support arm, 
   wherein the length of the base assembly, the length of the support arm, the orientation angle of the support arm, and the rotational orientation of the guide element are selectively adjustable to position the guide element at a selected position relative to the athlete.   
     
     
         2 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the base assembly is selectively adjustable within a range of about 36 inches to about 48 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the support arm is selectively adjustable within a range of about 24 inches to about 36 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the training tool comprises rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the training tool comprises plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the training tool comprises metal. 
     
     
         7 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The training tool of  claim 1 , further comprising means for locking the support arm of the guide assembly at a desired orientation angle. 
     
     
         9 . The training tool of  claim 8 , wherein the means for locking the support arm of the guide assembly at the desired orientation angle comprises a plate defining a plurality of openings spaced along an arcuate path, the plate being secured to the base assembly, wherein the support arm defines a first bore between the first and second ends of the support arm, wherein, upon pivoting of the support arm relative to the base assembly, the first bore of the support arm is configured for movement relative to the arcuate path defined by the openings of the plate, wherein at the desired orientation angle, the first bore of the support arm is in alignment with a corresponding opening of the plate, and wherein the first bore of the support arm and the corresponding opening of the plate are configured to receive a pin to lock the support arm at the desired orientation angle. 
     
     
         10 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angle of the base portion of the guide element is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         11 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angle of the base portion of the guide element is an acute angle. 
     
     
         12 . The training tool of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angle of the base portion of the guide element is about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . A method of training an athlete to avoid undesired movement during an activity, the athlete having two legs spaced apart relative to a first axis, the method comprising:
 positioning a training tool in spaced relation to the athlete such that a longitudinal axis of a base assembly of the training tool is substantially parallel to the first axis, the base assembly having a first end, a second end, and an adjustable length relative to its longitudinal axis, the training tool further comprising a guide assembly, the guide assembly comprising:
 a support arm having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the support arm has an adjustable length relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the first end of the base assembly, and wherein the support arm is configured for selective pivotal movement to adjust an orientation angle of the support arm, the orientation angle corresponding to the angular orientation of the longitudinal axis of the support arm relative to the longitudinal axis of the base assembly; and 
 a guide element coupled to the second end of the support arm and configured for selective rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the support arm to achieve a desired rotational orientation, wherein the guide element has a base portion proximate the second end of the support arm, and wherein the base portion of the guide element is positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support arm; and 
   selectively adjusting at least one of the length of the base assembly, the length of the support arm, the orientation angle of the support arm, and the rotational orientation of the guide element to position the guide element at a selected position relative to the athlete,   wherein, in the selected position, the guide element is configured to limit undesired movement of the athlete during a swinging action.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising locking the support arm of the guide assembly at the desired orientation angle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein locking the support arm at the desired orientation angle comprises:
 securing a plate to the base assembly, the plate defining a plurality of openings spaced along an arcuate path, wherein upon pivoting the support arm relative to the base assembly a first bore of the support arm between the first and second ends of the support arm is configured for movement relative to the arcuate path defined by the openings of the plate, wherein at the desired orientation angle, the first bore of the support arm is in alignment with a corresponding opening of the plate; and   with the support arm positioning at the desired orientation angle, inserting a pin through the first bore of the support arm and into the corresponding opening of the plate to lock the support arm at the desired orientation angle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the athlete is a baseball player, and wherein the activity is a batting activity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the athlete is a softball player, and wherein the activity is a batting activity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the athlete is a golfer, and wherein the activity is golfing.