Rotating training device for kicking a soccer ball or football

Abstract

A portable training device to practice kicking a soccer ball, football or kicking target. The device includes a stationary base on a supporting surface and a platform coupled to the base. The platform is configured to hold one or two balls or kicking targets used for performing simulated kicks. The platform is capable of supporting a person or trainee with a plant foot placed on top of the platform's vertical axis of rotation. When the ball is kicked, the platform and ball rotate, with the kicker on top of the platform and the kicker's foot maintaining contact with the ball during the rotation around the vertical axis of rotation, whereby the platform uses a braking means to come to a gradual stop. A stabilizing means is coupled to the platform for the trainee to hold while kicking the ball or target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training device for a person to practice kicking, the training device comprising:
 a platform having a planar top surface configured to support a person on a top side of the platform, wherein the platform is configured to be supported on a supporting surface disposed below the platform;   a stationary base disposed below the platform and above the supporting surface and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface;   a fastener rotatably coupling the platform and the stationary base;   a kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform;   a rotation axis extending perpendicular to the planar top surface of the platform, wherein the rotation axis is spaced a distance from the kicking target;   a means for rotating the platform about the rotation axis when the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target whereby the platform and person supported by the platform are rotated by the rotating means about the rotation axis; and   a means for braking the rotation of the platform about the rotation axis.   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating means includes at least one of the fastener and the stationary base, an upper slide rotatable above a stationary lower slide, an upper slide rotatable on a plurality of brake pads, or a turntable assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the rotating means includes the fastener and the stationary base, the stationary base coupled to a bottom side of the platform, the fastener aligned with the rotation axis, such that when the person applies the kicking force to the kicking target, the platform rotates about the rotation axis relative to the stationary base and the supporting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the rotating means includes the upper slide rotatable above the stationary lower slide, the upper slide coupled to a bottom side of the platform, the lower slide coupled to a top side of the stationary base such that when the person applies the kicking force to the kicking target, the upper slide rotates with the platform about the rotation axis relative to the lower slide and the stationary base. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the rotating means includes the upper slide rotatable on the plurality of brake pads, the upper slide being coupled to a bottom side of the platform, the plurality of brake pads disposed on a top side of the stationary base such that when the person applies the kicking force to the kicking target, the platform and the upper slide slideably rotate on the plurality of brake pads about the rotation axis. 
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the rotating means includes the turntable assembly having a turntable base coupled to a top side of the stationary base, an upper turntable coupled to a bottom side of the platform, a circular groove defined between the turntable base and the upper turntable, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed within the groove such that when the person applies the kicking force to the kicking target, the ball bearings roll within the groove about the rotation axis and the platform and the upper turntable rotate about the rotation axis relative to the turntable base and the stationary base. 
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the braking means includes at least one of the fastener and the stationary base, a base and brake assembly, a drum brake assembly, or a band brake assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 7 , wherein the braking means includes the fastener and the stationary base, the stationary base coupled to a bottom side of the platform and the fastener aligned with the rotation axis, whereby tightening of the fastener increases a magnitude of braking. 
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 7 , wherein the braking means includes the base and brake assembly having
 a brake support coupled to the stationary base,   a moving brake pad coupled to the platform and disposed on a bottom side of the platform,   a stationary brake pad coupled to the brake support and disposed on a top side of the brake support, and   wherein the fastener is aligned with the rotation axis and rotatably couples the moving brake pad with the stationary brake pad and the brake support, whereby tightening of the fastener increases a magnitude of braking.   
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 7 , wherein the braking means includes the drum brake assembly having
 a brake bracket coupled to the platform and disposed on the bottom side of the platform,   a brake lining coupled to the brake bracket, and   a brake drum coupled to the stationary base and disposed on a top side of the stationary base such that the brake lining adjustably engages the brake drum.   
     
     
         11 . The training device of  claim 7 , wherein the braking means includes a band brake assembly having
 a brake drum coupled to a top side of stationary base, and   a band brake wrapped around a circumference of the brake drum wherein tightening the band brake around the brake drum increases a magnitude of braking.   
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform. 
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a center portion and two side portions flanking the center portion, and wherein the kicking target is disposed on one of the side portions. 
     
     
         14 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a center portion and two side portions flanking the center portion, and wherein the kicking target is disposed in the center portion. 
     
     
         15 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation axis is a first rotation axis, and wherein the training device further comprises a second rotation axis, wherein the kicking target is positioned between the first and second rotation axes. 
     
     
         16 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for stabilizing the person when the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target, wherein the stabilizing means includes at least one of a support bracket, a support tube, or a support cord. 
     
     
         17 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable target holder coupled to the kicking target, and a means for removably securing the kicking target holder to the platform. 
     
     
         18 . The training device of  claim 17 , wherein the means for removably securing the kicking target holder includes at least one of a pull pin or a connecting bolt. 
     
     
         19 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a low-friction pad coupled to the platform and disposed on a bottom side of the platform. 
     
     
         20 . A method of practicing kicking, the method comprising:
 supporting a platform on a supporting surface;   supporting a person on a top surface of the platform;   planting a foot of the person on a contact point of the platform;   applying a kicking force with a non-planted foot of the person to a kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform;   rotating with the kicking force the platform and person about a rotation axis passing through the contact point; and   braking the rotation of the platform about the rotation axis.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 maintaining the non-planted foot in contact with the kicking target throughout the rotation of the platform.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 braking the rotation of the platform about the rotational axis prior to applying the kicking force to the kicking target.