Blocking pad tackling dummy and method

Abstract

A tackling dummy hit pad comprises an inner cushion or resilient pad having a tight-fitting durable covering, wherein the tackling dummy is generally formed into the shape of a person. The tackling dummy preferably includes a torso or main body portion with pair of shoulders extending from each side thereof, and a pair of legs extending beneath the torso portion. Optionally, the tackling dummy hit pad may include full-length legs and be free-standing, or may include shortened legs and/or include handles or straps on a backside thereof. In a preferred embodiment, target pads may be placed on the torso portion, on either side thereof and beneath the armpits, to serve as a target for a player's shoulders or shoulder pads during tackling drills. The tackling dummy hit pad may be used as a free-standing dummy or as a dummy-in-motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tackling dummy hit pad comprising:
 a resilient cushion member having a shape of a human torso, including a main body member with a left and right upper arm extending outwardly from an upper portion of said main body member, wherein said left upper arm extends from a left side of said main body member and said right upper arm extends from a right side of said main body member;   a pair of leg members extending generally downwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion of said main body member;   a tight-fitting external cover that is disposed to cover said resilient cushion member on all sides thereof; and   a first target pad attached to said external cover and positioned on said main body member on one side thereof between one of said upper arms and said leg members on the same side as said one of said upper arms.   
     
     
         2 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second target pad attached to said external cover on an opposed side from said first target pad, in mirror image fashion. 
     
     
         3 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said leg members are shorter than the length of said main body member. 
     
     
         4 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said leg members are longer than the length of said main body member. 
     
     
         5 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , further including a pair of straps on a rear side thereof, so that said tackling dummy hit pad may be held by a person grasping said straps on said rear side thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , further including target indicia on a front portion thereof, said target indicia being selected from the group consisting of an arrow positioned on one of said upper arms and pointing downwardly, an arrow disposed on said main body member pointing toward said first hit pad, and an arrow on said main body member pointing downwardly in a direction between said leg members. 
     
     
         7 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said external covering is a textile material that is substantially water resistant. 
     
     
         8 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said resilient member is made from a foam material. 
     
     
         9 . A method of teaching and practicing tackling or rucking skills for contact sports, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a generally human shaped tackling dummy hit pad, said tackling dummy hit pad comprising a main body member with a top, bottom, front, rear, left side, and ride side, a pair of leg members extending from said bottom of said main body member, and a target pad attached to said main body member on at least one of said left or right sides, between an upper portion of said main body member and one of said leg members;   instructing a player to place his or her lead foot generally between said leg members;   instructing said player to place said player's shoulder against said hit pad;   instructing said player to place said player's head adjacent said hit pad on one side of said main body member; and   instructing said player to wrap his or her arms around said tackling dummy hit pad and fall to the ground with said tackling dummy hit pad in said player's grasp.   
     
     
         10 . The method set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of providing straps on a rear side of said tackling dummy hit pad. 
     
     
         11 . The method set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 grasping said tackling dummy hit pad to present said tackling dummy hit pad to said player;   moving with said tackling dummy hit pad to provide said player with a moving tackling target; and   releasing said tackling dummy hit pad as said player grasps said tackling dummy hit pad so said player can fall to the ground with said tackling dummy hit pad in said player's grasp.   
     
     
         12 . The method set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 instructing said player to place his or her head on an opposed side of said tackling dummy hit pad from the direction of motion of said tackling dummy hit pad.   
     
     
         13 . The method set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said tackling dummy hit pad further includes a left and right upper arm extending outwardly from an upper portion of said left and right sides of said main body member. 
     
     
         14 . A tackling dummy hit pad comprising:
 a resilient cushion member having a shape of a human torso, including a main body member with a left and right upper arm extending outwardly from an upper portion of said main body member, wherein said left upper arm extends from a left side of said main body member and said right upper arm extends from a right side of said main body member;   a pair of leg members extending generally downwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion of said main body member; and   a tight-fitting external cover that is disposed to cover said resilient cushion member on all sides thereof.   
     
     
         15 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 14 , further including a first target pad attached to said external cover and positioned on said main body member. 
     
     
         16 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 14 , further including target indicia on said external cover for indicating target areas for tackling drills. 
     
     
         17 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 16 , wherein target indicia indicate proper placement of a portion of a user's body selected from the group consisting of their head, their lead foot, their shoulder, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 14 , further including a pair of handles on a rear side thereof, so that said tackling dummy hit pad may be held by a person grasping said handles on said rear side thereof.