Equipment and methods for volleyball training

Abstract

This disclosure is related to a training ball designed to facilitate practice and improvement of sporting skills, and methods for training with the ball. In some embodiments, the ball may be a training volleyball designed for improving volleyball skills. The ball may comprise a spherical surface and at least one marking on the spherical surface associated with at least one training drill. The one or more markings may include a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, and may be associated with a number of training drills. The markings may be color-coded to different training drills for ease of use. The markings may direct a player on proper hand placement and striking zones used in a variety of plays.

1 . A ball comprising:
 a spherical surface of the ball; and   at least one marking on the spherical surface associated with at least one training drill.   
     
     
         2 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising the ball is a volleyball. 
     
     
         3 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of markings on the spherical surface associated with different training drills, the plurality of markings having different colors indicating associated training drills. 
 
     
     
         4 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the at least one marking includes a textured marking to indicate the marking's location by feel. 
 
     
     
         5 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the spherical surface of the ball includes a plurality of panels; 
 the at least one marking includes numeral markings, with each of the plurality of panels having an associated numeral. 
 
     
     
         6 . The ball of  claim 5  further comprising:
 the ball is a volleyball; and 
 the numerals are associated with a training drill wherein a player calls out a numeral most directly facing the player when the volleyball contacts a platform made by the player's arms. 
 
     
     
         7 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the at least one marking includes positioning indicators directing a player on hand placement. 
 
     
     
         8 . The ball of  claim 7  further comprising:
 the ball is a volleyball; 
 the spherical surface of the ball includes a plurality of approximately square panels; 
 the positioning indicators are positioned approximately at the corners of at least one of the plurality of approximately square panels; and 
 the positioning indicators indicate correct placement of thumbs and forefingers when setting the volleyball. 
 
     
     
         9 . The ball of  claim 8  further comprising:
 the positioning indicators are associated with a training drill including:
 a player positioning forefingers and thumbs using the position indicator to set the ball over the player's head; and 
 maintaining hand shaping corresponding to the ball surface while setting. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The ball of  claim 8  further comprising:
 the positioning indicators are associated with a training drill including:
 a player positioning forefingers and thumbs using the position indicator to set the ball over the player's head; and 
 catching the ball on a panel after setting the ball. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the at least one marking includes a target indicating a proper contact point. 
 
     
     
         12 . The ball of  claim 11  further comprising:
 the ball is a volleyball; 
 the target indicator is associated with an overhand serve training drill including:
 a player tossing the ball in front of a striking shoulder; and 
 striking the ball at the target indicator with an open hand to pin the ball to a wall. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the at least one marking includes markings dividing the ball into multiple portions. 
 
     
     
         14 . The ball of  claim 13  further comprising the portions correspond to strike zones for different kinds of plays. 
     
     
         15 . The ball of  claim 13  further comprising:
 the markings divide the ball into thirds, including a bottom third, a middle third, and a top third. 
 
     
     
         16 . The ball of  claim 15  further comprising:
 the ball is a volleyball; 
 the multiple portions are associated with a training drill including:
 a player holding and tossing the ball with the top third facing up and the bottom third facing down; 
 the player striking the top third to practice directing the ball to hit a floor, bounce off a wall, and return to the player; 
 the player striking the middle third to practice float serves; and 
 the player striking the bottom third to practice underhand serves. 
 
 
     
     
         17 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the ball is a volleyball; and 
 the at least one marking includes a hold position pattern corresponding to a proper off-hand holding position for underhand serves. 
 
     
     
         18 . The ball of  claim 17  further comprising the hold position pattern includes a pattern in the shape of a hand indicating the proper off-hand holding position. 
     
     
         19 . The ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the spherical surface of the ball includes a plurality of panels; 
 the at least one marking includes a strike zone pattern corresponding to a proper contact point of a striking hand for an underhand serve; and 
 the hold position pattern and the strike zone pattern are positioned on the same panel. 
 
     
     
         20 . The ball of  claim 19  further comprising:
 the hold position pattern and strike zone pattern are associated with a training drill including:
 a player holding the ball at the holding position pattern and facing a wall; and 
 the player performing striking the ball at the strike zone pattern to underhand serve the ball to reflect off the wall and return to the player.