Hip Rotation Training Apparatus and Methods and Systems of Training Hip Rotation for Sporting Performance

Abstract

A hip rotation training apparatus for sports performance training includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A striking face is positioned on the elongated member between the first and second ends. An attachment device is positioned at the first end, wherein the first end is attachable to a user at a hip region of the user with the attachment device, and wherein rotation of the hip region of the user moves the second end along a curvilinear path.

1 . A hip rotation training apparatus for sports performance training, the hip rotation training apparatus comprising:
 an elongated member having a length extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the elongated member along the length is substantially straight, wherein a dimension of the length of the elongated member is at least double a height dimension of the elongated member measured between vertically-facing top and bottom edges;   a horizontally-facing striking face positioned on the elongated member between the first and second ends; and   an attachment device positioned at the first end, wherein the first end is attachable to a user at a hip region of the user with the attachment device, and wherein rotation of the hip region of the user moves the second end along a curvilinear path.   
     
     
         2 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device further comprises a belt attachable around a waist of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a hook-and-loop fastener within the belt. 
     
     
         4 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a snap connector within the belt. 
     
     
         5 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a slot positioned within the elongated member proximate to the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device further comprises a hip interface guide, the hip interface guide has a curved face, wherein the curved face is intersected by a straight axis of the length of the elongated member. 
     
     
         7 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the curved face is intersected by the straight axis of the length of the elongated member substantially perpendicularly to an intersection point on the curved face. 
     
     
         8 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one slot within the hip interface guide. 
     
     
         9 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one slot further comprises at least two slots within the hip interface guide, wherein an intersection point of the straight axis on the curved face is positioned between the at least two slots. 
     
     
         10 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a third slot positioned within the elongated member proximate to the first end, and wherein the attachment device further comprises a belt, wherein the belt is positioned through the at least two slots within the hip interface guide and the third slot within the elongated member proximate to the first end. 
     
     
         11 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking face further comprises a planar face. 
     
     
         12 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking face further comprises at least one of:
 a semi-cylindrical shape;   an open hoop having a networking of interweave cords positioned across the open hoop; and   an enlarged area relative to the elongated member.   
     
     
         13 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device further comprises a hip interface guide having a curved face, wherein the elongated member is connected to a first side of the hip interface guide, wherein the curved face is intersected by a straight axis of the length of the elongated member, and wherein the attachment device further comprises a biased clip positioned a spaced distance from the first end of the elongated member on a second side of the hip interface guide, wherein the second side is opposite the first side. 
     
     
         14 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the second end along the curvilinear path further comprises unimpeded rotation of the second end substantially about a vertical axis of the user. 
     
     
         15 . A hip rotation baseball training system comprising:
 a hip rotation training apparatus comprising an elongated member having a length extended between a first end and a second end and a height extending between a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein a dimension of the length is at least double a dimension of the height, a horizontally-facing striking face positioned on the elongated member between the first and second ends, and the top and bottom edges, and an attachment device positioned at the first end   wherein the hip rotation training apparatus is attachable to a hip region of a user with the attachment device with the first end positioned proximate to the hip region of the user, wherein the elongated member is extendable away from the hip region and terminates at the second end; and   a baseball moving along a flight path proximate to the hip rotation training apparatus, wherein rotational movement of the hip region of the user moves the horizontally-facing striking face into the flight path of the baseball.   
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein elongated member is integrally formed on a horizontally-facing front face of the hip interface guide. 
     
     
         22 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the vertically-facing top and bottom edges of the elongated member are planar with vertically-facing top and bottom edges of the hip interface guide. 
     
     
         23 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dimension of the length of the elongated member is at least triple the height dimension of the elongated member measured between vertically-facing top and bottom edges. 
     
     
         24 . A hip rotation training apparatus for sports performance training, the hip rotation training apparatus comprising:
 an elongated striking member having a substantially planar striking face formed on at least one side thereof;   hip interface guide integrally connected to a first end of the elongated striking member, wherein the elongated striking member extends away from the hip interface guide along a length thereof to a terminating, second end of the elongated striking member; and   a belt positioned through a first slot formed in the hip interface guide, a second slot formed in the elongated striking member, and a third slot formed in the hip interface guide, wherein the second slot is positioned between the first and third slots.   
     
     
         25 . The hip rotation training apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein a length dimension of the elongated striking member measured between the first end and the terminating, second end is at least double a height dimension of the elongated striking member measured between a vertically-facing top edge and a vertically-facing bottom edge of the elongated striking member.