Sports training-device

Abstract

A sports training-device ( 100 ) comprising: a base ( 102 ); a retainer ( 104 ) for retaining a ball ( 106 ); and a flexible tether ( 108 ), a first end of the flexible tether attached to said base, and a second end of the flexible tether attached to said retainer; said flexible tether configured to, in use, provide damped movement of a ball retained in said retainer, following application of a force to said ball.

1 . A sports training-device comprising:
 a base;   a retainer for retaining a ball;   and a flexible tether, a first end of the flexible tether attached to said base, and a second end of the flexible tether attached to said retainer;   said flexible tether configured to, in use, provide damped movement of a ball retained in said retainer, following application of a force to said ball;   wherein said retainer is configured to enable said ball to spin within said retainer;   wherein said retainer comprises a band configured to conform to an outer profile of said ball; and   wherein said band comprises a first end attachable to a first location on said ball, and a second end attachable to a second location on said ball, a straight line between said first and second ends configured to coincide with a central axis of said ball.   
     
     
         2 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , said retainer having a rest position when no force is applied to said ball. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training-device of  claim 2 , wherein said damped movement comprises movement of said ball under a force of gravity. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training-device of  claim 2 , wherein said damped movement comprises one or more of: movement of said ball away from said rest position, in response to said applied force; return movement of said ball towards said rest position. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , comprising means for detecting a striking of the ball by a user, wherein said means comprises a microphone for detecting a sound of the user striking the ball. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The sports training-device of  claim 5 , wherein said microphone is comprised in said retainer, wherein said tether comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said microphone to circuitry in said base. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , comprising a display to display information to a user, wherein said information comprises one or more of: a count of keep-ups performed by a user; time elapsed; time remaining. 
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible tether provides a direct connection between said base and said retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible tether comprises a core section, wherein said flexible tether comprises a sheath portion substantially surrounding said core section. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , comprising a mechanism enabling an exit angle of said flexible tether from said base to be varied. 
     
     
         18 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a socket, wherein said flexible tether is attachable to said base via a plug connector insertable into said socket, wherein said plug connector is insertable in said socket in at least two orientations. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises two or more sockets, each socket for receiving said tether. 
     
     
         22 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , wherein said ball comprises a football. 
     
     
         23 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A ball-retainer for a sports training device comprising:
 a band configured to conform to an outer profile of a ball;   wherein the ball-retainer is configured to retain said ball;   wherein said ball-retainer is configured to enable said ball to spin within said ball-retainer;   wherein said band comprises a first end having a first location attachable to a first region of said ball, and a second end having a second location attachable to a second region of said ball, wherein a straight line between said first and second locations is configured to coincide with a central axis of said ball.   
     
     
         35 . The ball-retainer of  claim 34 , wherein said first and second locations of said retainer comprise respective first and second rotatable cups. 
     
     
         36 . The ball-retainer of  claim 35 , wherein said first and second rotatable cups comprise an adhesive surface for attachment to said ball. 
     
     
         37 . The ball-retainer of  claim 35 , wherein said first and second rotatable cups are attached to their respective first and second locations with respective first and second bearings. 
     
     
         38 . The sports training-device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second ends comprise respective first and second rotatable cups. 
     
     
         39 . The sports training-device of  claim 38 , wherein said first and second rotatable cups comprise an adhesive surface for attachment to said ball. 
     
     
         40 . The sports training-device of  claim 38 , wherein said first and second rotatable cups are attached to their respective first and second ends with respective first and second bearings.