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   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;   a ball strap attached to said main body member, wherein said ball strap is adapted to be used for temporarily holding a ball adjacent the tackling dummy hit pad during practice drills and   a first target pad attached to said external cover and positioned on said main body member on one side of said main body member.   
     
     
         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 extend to about knee length. 
     
     
         4 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said leg members extend to about foot length. 
     
     
         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 a shoulder 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 includes an opening for inserting and removing said resilient cushion member, wherein said opening includes means for temporarily securing said opening into a closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said resilient cushion is made from a foam material. 
     
     
         9 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said ball strap includes adjustable tightening means. 
     
     
         10 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said ball strap is positioned on a side of said main body member. 
     
     
         11 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said ball strap is positioned on a top portion of said main body member. 
     
     
         12 . A tackling dummy hit pad comprising:
 a resilient cushion member having a shape of a human torso, including a main body member   a pair of leg members extending generally downwardly and outwardly from a bottom portion of said main body member;   a ball strap attached to said main body member, wherein said ball strap is adapted to be used for temporarily holding a ball adjacent the tackling dummy hit pad during practice drills and   a tight-fitting external cover that is disposed to cover said resilient cushion member on all sides thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , further including a first target pad attached to said external cover and positioned on said main body member. 
     
     
         14 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , further including target indicia on said external cover for indicating target areas for tackling drills. 
     
     
         15 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 14 , wherein target indicia indicate targets selected from the group consisting of head targets, foot targets, shoulder targets, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , 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. 
     
     
         17 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said ball strap includes adjustable tightening means. 
     
     
         18 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said ball strap is positioned on a side of said main body member. 
     
     
         19 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said ball strap is positioned on a top portion of said main body member. 
     
     
         20 . The tackling dummy hit pad set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said main body member includes a pair of shoulders extending outwardly from an upper portion of said main body member, wherein a left shoulder extends from a left side of said main body portion and a right shoulder portion extends from a right side of said main body member.