Training ball for indoor use and a method for training with a lightweight ball

Abstract

A “reduced-gravity” training ball that allows the user to more easily react to the ball's movement and accelerating skills than a regulation ball. A training system may be provided to coach the user through a series of drills and fitness exercises with the ball. The training ball may come in several weights that train the user by gradually using heavier balls that have more “gravity.” In one embodiment, a training ball has a lightweight inner bladder with an inflation port, and an exterior layer that covers the inner bladder. The exterior surface may be provided with lines, indentations, graphics and/or other features that improve the performance of the ball and/or that replicate some or all of the characteristics of the exterior surface of the regulation ball it simulates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of training for a sport that utilizes a training ball that simulates a regulation ball but that is lighter in weight, the method comprising the steps of:
 training indoors with a first ball having an inner bladder and an exterior layer extending about the inner bladder, the inner bladder having an inflation port that is adapted to extend through the exterior layer for filling the inner bladder with a gas, the first ball having a first weight that is sufficiently light to be used in a normal household setting; and   after training with the first ball, training indoors with a second ball having an inner bladder and an exterior layer extending about the inner bladder, the inner bladder having an inflation port that is adapted to extend through the exterior layer for filling the inner bladder with a gas, the second ball having a second weight that is heavier than the first weight and that is sufficiently light to be used in a normal household setting.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes the step of:
 after training with the second ball, training indoors with a third ball having an inner bladder and an exterior layer extending about the inner bladder, the inner bladder having an inflation port that is adapted to extend through the exterior layer for filling the inner bladder with a gas, the third ball having a third weight that is heavier than the second weight and that is sufficiently light to be used in a normal household setting.   
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second balls includes an exterior surface that is roughened, textured, indented and/or shaped to enhance performance of the ball. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second balls simulate and are about the same outer dimension as a corresponding regulation ball. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first, second and third balls simulate and are about the same outer dimension as a corresponding regulation ball. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner bladder of at least one of the balls is secured onto an interior surface of the outer layer of the corresponding ball. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bladders is a lightweight inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the balloon is made of Mylar. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is made from spun high-density polyethylene fibers 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the outer layer is made from spun high-density polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the outer layer is made from spun high-density polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
         12 . A method of training for a sport that utilizes a training ball that simulates a regulation ball but that is lighter in weight than the regulation ball, the method comprising the steps of:
 training indoors with a training ball having an inner bladder and an exterior layer that extends about the inner bladder, the inner bladder being a lightweight balloon and having an inflation port that is adapted to extend through the exterior layer for filling the inner bladder with a gas, the ball having a first weight that is sufficiently light to be used in a normal household setting without damaging the contents of the household; and   simulating at least one of the dimensions, feel, and movement of a regulation ball.   
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises inflating the training ball by blowing into a straw that is in gaseous communication with the inner bladder. 
     
     
         14 . A method of training for a sport that utilizes a training ball that simulates a regulation ball but that is lighter in weight, the method comprising the step of:
 training with a training ball having an inner bladder and an exterior layer extending about the inner bladder, the inner bladder having an inflation port that is adapted to extend to be accessible from the exterior layer for filling the inner bladder with a gas, the first ball having a weight that is sufficiently light to be used in a normal household setting, wherein the exterior surface of the exterior layer simulates the surface of the regulation ball.   
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the training ball includes an exterior surface that is roughened, textured, indented and/or shaped to enhance performance of the training ball. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the training ball replicates the outer dimension of a corresponding regulation ball. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the inner bladder of the training ball is secured onto an interior surface of the outer layer of the corresponding ball. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the bladder is a lightweight inflatable balloon. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the inner bladder is spaced from an inner surface of the exterior layer when the inner bladder is inflated.