Training Soccer Ball

Abstract

A soccer ball having an opening formed in an outer surface of the ball and a connection element having a female portion fit within the opening and a male portion, having a first end configured to removably engage the female receiving portion and a second end having a partially open connection element. An elongated flexible element engages at a first end with the partially open connection element of the male portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A soccer ball comprising:
 an opening formed in an outer surface of the ball;   a connector having
 a female receiving portion, the female receiving portion being fit within the opening; 
 a male portion, the male portion having a first end configured to removably engage the female receiving portion and a second end having a partially open connection element; and 
   an elongated flexible element being engaged at a first end with the partially open connection element of the male portion.   
     
     
         2 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the female portion is a threaded nut. 
     
     
         3 . The soccer ball of  claim 2  wherein the first end of the male portion includes complementary threading for the nut. 
     
     
         4 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the male portion snap fits with the female portion to facilitate removable engagement. 
     
     
         5 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the partially open connection element is a hook. 
     
     
         6 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the partially open connection element is an eye. 
     
     
         7 . The soccer ball of  claim 1 - further comprising an air valve, the air valve being disposed within the female receiving portion. 
     
     
         8 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the elongated flexible element is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the elongated flexible element includes a connector. 
     
     
         10 . The soccer ball of  claim 9  wherein the connector is a loop. 
     
     
         11 . The soccer ball of  claim 1  wherein the male portion includes an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the partially open connection element of the second end is rotatable coupled to the intermediate portion.