Lacrosse training apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus ( 50 ) for training users to manipulate a lacrosse stick ( 10 ) having a fastening arrangement ( 60, 70, 75 ) that connects a user's wrist or forearm to the lacrosse stick ( 10 ) and restricts movement of the user's wrist or forearm relative to the lacrosse stick ( 10 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for training users to manipulate a lacrosse stick, comprising:
 a. a band that is adapted to snugly fit around a user's wrist or forearm;   b. a fastening component that is adapted to be fastened to a bottom of the lacrosse stick; and   c. a tie that connects the band and the fastening component together so as to restrict movement of the user's respective wrist or forearm to the vicinity of the bottom of the lacrosse stick.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the band is adapted to form an opening and comprises a deformable material that expands to permit a user's hand to pass through the opening and that, once the hand passes through the opening, contracts to snugly fit around the user's respective wrist or forearm. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a non-stretchable material forming an opening of a selected size that permits a user's hand of similar or smaller size to pass through the opening and the band to snugly fit around the user's respective wrist or forearm. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the size of the opening is close-fitting with the size of the user's hand such that the use of force, the folding of the hand, or the combination thereof is required for the user's hand to pass through the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the band is adapted to form an opening and comprises a first section of a non-deformable material and a second section of deformable material that expands to permit a user's hand to pass through the opening and that, once the hand passes through the opening, contracts so both band sections snugly fit around the user's respective wrist or forearm. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a deformable material and is configured with a first free end and a second free end, each being adapted to stretch around a user's wrist or forearm and meet the other free end and to fasten, in a detachable manner, to the other free end, said band being maintained in a taut condition around the user's respective wrist or forearm upon fastening of the free ends. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the free ends comprise complementary detachable-fastening mechanisms. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a first free end of a non-deformable material and a second free end of deformable material that is adapted to stretch around a user's wrist or forearm and meet the first free end, at least one of said free ends being adapted to fasten, in a detachable manner, to the other said free end, said band being maintained in a taut condition around the user's respective wrist or forearm upon fastening of the free ends. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the free ends comprise complementary detachable-fastening mechanisms. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening component and the bottom of the lacrosse stick comprise complementary detachable-fastening mechanisms. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening component comprises a detachable end cap for the bottom of the lacrosse stick. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tie is adapted to be fixedly attached to the band, the fastening component, or both the band and fastening component. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tie is integral to the band, the fastening component, or both the band and fastening component. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tie comprises a stretchable material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tie is adapted to be adjustable in length by the user to accommodate the user's usage of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for training users to manipulate a lacrosse stick, comprising a fastening arrangement that connects a user's wrist or forearm to the lacrosse stick, said fastening arrangement adapted to restrict movement of the user's wrist or forearm relative to the lacrosse stick. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of the  claim 16 , wherein the user's wrist or forearm is anatomically proximate the user's dominant hand. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of the  claim 16 , wherein the fastening arrangement is adapted to be adjustable in length, tension, or both by the user to accommodate the user's usage of the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . A lacrosse stick apparatus, comprising:
 a. a band that is adapted to closely fit a user's wrist or forearm;   b. an end covering that is adapted to wrap and lock onto a bottom portion of a shaft of the lacrosse stick; and   c. a joining member that links the band and the end covering, the movement of the user's respective wrist or forearm being restricted proximate the bottom portion of the shaft of the lacrosse stick.