Multiple target speed and/or agility training systems

Abstract

Described herein are training systems comprising more than one training device useful for improving the agility and/or speed of a trainee. At least two of the training devices in a system comprise signaling modules that can be used to engage or dis-engage the trainee. The disclosed systems more accurately re-create actual “play” environments in sports or any other endeavors having more than one potential target of engagement (e.g., team sports).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training system comprising more than one training device wherein each of the more than one training devices comprises:
 a drive device module comprising at least one moving agency;   a control module operatively associated with the drive device module,   at least one input module to the control module; and at least two of the training devices comprises a signaling module.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the signaling modules create a visual cue, an auditory cue and/or a visual cue and an auditory cue. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the training devices further comprise a housing having an opening and a shut-off unit removably mated with the opening, wherein the control module is further operatively associated with the shut-off unit, the control module enabling the drive device module to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device when the shut-off unit is mated with the opening and to not propel the training device when the shut-off unit is not mated with the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the training devices further comprises a first sensor operably associated with a first sensor input module that provides input to the control module. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the control module enables the drive device module to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device in a direction associated with a second sensor based on input from a second sensor input module. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module enables the drive device module to cause the at least one moving agency to stop propelling the training device when an input module signals distance between a first sensor and a second sensor falls below a distance value. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module enables the drive device module to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device towards a second sensor when an input module signals distance between a first sensor and the second sensor exceeds a distance value. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a motion-control module that provides an input to the control module to cause the training device to move in a random movement pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the housings comprise a marker. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a memory unit module operatively associated with the drive device module, wherein the memory unit is configured to store movement data associated with the training device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a movement selector module that provides an input to the control module to execute a pre-programmed movement pattern. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the pre-programmed movement patterns comprise a plurality of difficulty settings. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a stationary or slow-moving object in the device's current path and to provide input to the control module causing the control module to stop or change the direction of device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein data stored by the memory unit module can be transferred to a computer, cellular phone, smartphone, tablet computer, and/or personal data assistant. 
     
     
         15 . A training system comprising more than one training device, each of the more than one training devices comprising:
 a drive device module comprising at least one moving agency;   a control module operatively associated with the drive device module, at least one input module to the control module;   a signaling module; and   a housing, wherein the housing comprises (i) an on/off switch, (ii) an opening, and (iii) a shut-off unit removably mated with the opening, wherein the control module is further operatively associated with the shut-off unit, the control module enabling the drive device module to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device when the shut-off unit is mated with the opening and to not propel the device when the shut-off unit is not mated with the opening.