Sports Training System and Method

Abstract

Provided is a modular sports training system that can be assembled, placed on a supporting surface, and stood upon by a person during sports training activities. The system is adapted to be assembled with one or more modules. One module may be disposed at a non-parallel angle to another module. One module may be aligned with another module. The non-parallel angle allows a person standing on the system to place one foot on one module and another foot on another module at the non-parallel angle, such as in a swing or batter's stance, and allows the person to stand in a stable manner while encouraging certain positioning of the feet during the sports training activities. Modules can be coupled by an interlocking protrusion and receiver arrangement, such as by inserting a protrusion of one module into a receiver of another module when the modules are unaligned relative to each other and then twisting the modules into alignment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training assembly, comprising: a first module comprising a formed structure having at least a top, a first and second end formed at a non-parallel angle to the top, and at least one side formed at a non-parallel angle to the top and the ends; a protrusion coupled to the first end; a receiver formed in the second end; a receiver or protrusion formed in at least the one side; the top being adapted to allow a person to stand on; and a second module interchangeable with the first module having the protrusion and receivers, and adapted to be coupled from an end of the second module to the side of the first module at a non-parallel angle to the first module to extend therefrom. 
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a third module interchangeable with the first module and adapted to be coupled to an end of the second module to extend the sports training assembly in the direction of the second module. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a length of two modules coupled end to end is at least five feet. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the top is at least one-third of a foot. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first module comprises two sides and each side has a receiver formed in each side. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver or protrusion formed in at least the one side is formed in the middle of the side. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is adapted to lock into the receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is adapted to be coupled with the receiver by an insertion of the protrusion of one module into the receiver of another module when the modules are at a rotated angle relative to each other and the tops of the modules are non-aligned and then a rotational twist of the modules relative to each other to align the top of each module. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises: a main protrusion portion that extends longitudinally away from the first end; and a protrusion wing that extends radially from the main protrusion portion, wherein the protrusion wing and the main protrusion portion are adapted to be inserted into the receiver in a first orientation and not be inserted into the receiver in a second orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pitching accessory coupled to one or more modules and having a sloped surface away from the modules. 
     
     
         11 . A method of assembling a sports training assembly for sports activities, comprising: obtaining a first module comprising: a formed structure having at least a top, a first and second end formed at a non-parallel angle to the top, and at least one side formed at a non-parallel angle to the top and the ends; a protrusion coupled to the first end; a receiver formed in the second end; a receiver or protrusion formed in at least the one side; obtaining a second module interchangeable with the first module having the protrusion and receivers, inserting the protrusion of one module into a receiver of another module when the modules are at a rotated angle relative to each other and the tops of the modules are non-aligned; and twisting rotationally at least one of the modules relative to the other module to align the tops of the modules and to restrict the protrusion from exiting the receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a third module to the first or second modules to extend a length of the sports training assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the third module is interchangeable with the first or second modules, and wherein coupling the third module to the first or second modules comprises: inserting the protrusion of one module into a receiver of another module when the modules are at a rotated angle relative to each other and the tops of the modules are non-aligned; and twisting rotationally at least one of the modules relative to the other module to align the tops of the modules and to restrict the protrusion from exiting the receiver, inserting a protrusion from one of the module. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising placing the modules on a supporting surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a pitching accessory to at least one of the modules.