Ball Sport Training Aid

Abstract

A ball sport training aid having a support with an overhang and a tether retractably connecting a ball relative to the overhang at a height predicated by the height of a user of the training aid and a ball skill to be practiced. The ball is movable from a retracted position to an extended position on engagement by the user practicing the ball skill, and returnable to the retracted position, automatically or selectively, on disengagement by the user.

1 . A ball sport training aid comprising:
 a support comprising an overhang; and   a tether retractably connecting a ball relative to the overhang at a height predicated by the height of a user of the training aid and a ball skill to be practiced,   wherein said ball is movable from a retracted position to an extended position on engagement by said user practicing said ball skill, and returnable to said retracted position, automatically or selectively, on disengagement by said user.   
     
     
         2 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said tether comprises a retractable cord assembly, said ball being fixedly connected relative to a cord of said retractable cord assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 2 , wherein said retractable cord assembly is tensioned such that said cord is automatically retracted into said retractable cord assembly on release of said ball by said user. 
     
     
         4 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said support is height adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 4 , wherein the height adjustability of said support is achieved by a variation in angular disposition of said overhang or a variation in vertical height of said overhang. 
     
     
         6 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the support includes a base and a central support section mounted on the base and supporting the overhang. 
     
     
         7 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 6 , wherein the overhang is pivotally connected to the central support section and the adjustability of the support is by a variation in angular disposition of the overhang. 
     
     
         8 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 6 , wherein the overhang is fixedly connected to the central support section and the adjustability of the support is by a variation in the height of the central support section. 
     
     
         9 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 8 , wherein the central support section is telescopic to provide said variation in the height. 
     
     
         10 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 9 , wherein the central support section includes two vertically aligned fitting parts, wherein said vertically aligned fitting parts comprise cooperating tracks that prevent relative rotation of the vertically aligned fitting parts. 
     
     
         11 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the support is provided with securing points that facilitate attachment of guide ropes or other cabling that may be secured to the ground, or otherwise, to further stabilise the training aid. 
     
     
         12 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 6 , wherein the base is ground engaging. 
     
     
         13 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 6 , wherein the base includes wheels arranged to facilitate movement of said training aid. 
     
     
         14 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 13 , wherein said wheels are adapted to engage the ground on tilting of said training aid. 
     
     
         15 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the tether is connected to the end of the overhang. 
     
     
         16 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , wherein said overhang comprises a guide wire assembly extending substantially from a distal end thereof to a proximal end thereof to provide stability to said overhang. 
     
     
         17 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , comprising a guide rope extending from a proximal end of said overhang and being adapted to be secured to a base of said training aid, or otherwise secured to provide stability to said support. 
     
     
         18 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 1 , comprising a hoop to facilitate ball shooting practice, said hoop comprising a gap to facilitate travel of said tether through said hoop and return of said ball to said user or to said retracted position. 
     
     
         19 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 18 , wherein said hoop is associated with said support, such as a central support section of said support. 
     
     
         20 . The ball sport training aid according to  claim 18 , wherein said hoop is height adjustable.