Training device and method for playing a sport with a racquet

Abstract

A device and method are used to train a person to play a sport of the type using a racquet or paddle. The device comprises a brace for constraining a person's arm, wrist and hand to remain in a precise relative orientation during play. The method concerns a technique for using the aforesaid brace and, while so doing, training the muscles of the arm, wrist and hand ( 1 ) to properly swing the racquet or paddle to engage the ball while avoiding undue muscle stress, and ( 2 ) to consistently throw the ball properly upward during a serve.

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         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         8 . A device for training a person to use a racquet, the device comprising:
 a solid and rigid brace that has a first portion and a second portion, said first portion extending in a plane that is at an angle of between 45° and 90° with respect to a plane of said second portion, said first portion adapted to be positioned against a back of a forearm of the person, said second portion adapted to be positioned against a back of the hand of the person;   a first flexible strip affixed to said first portion of said solid and rigid brace, said first flexible strap adapted to wrap around the forearm of the person so as to hold said first portion of said solid and rigid brace tightly against the forearm; and   a second flexible strip affixed to said second portion of said solid and rigid brace, said second flexible strip having a first portion adapted to extend over the back of the hand and a second portion extending from said first portion of said second flexible strip, said second portion of said second flexible strip having a plurality of strip elements adapted to respectively extend between fingers of the person and across a palm of the person.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , said first portion of said solid and rigid brace extending in the plane that is at an angle of between 65° and 85° with respect to the plane that said second portion of said solid and rigid brace extends.