Goalie training device and method

Abstract

A goalie training apparatus comprised of multiple catchment voids for receiving balls. Catchment voids are oriented on a grid, and connected to a goal frame by a support matrix. Each catchment void is pyramidal in shape, having an open base for receiving a ball with an initial cross sectional area and tapering to a smaller cross sectional area. The support matrix may be woven through internal sleeves in the catchment voids and connected to the goal frame by fasteners. An anchor support may be used to help anchor the support matrix and keep the goalie training apparatus in place across the opening of a goal during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A goalie training apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of catchment voids, each of said plurality of catchment void comprised of:
 a square pyramid with an open base and a top, said pyramid having sides comprised of net material, said pyramid having a first cross-sectional area at said open base, a height, and a second cross-sectional area at said top, wherein said first cross-sectional area is larger than said second cross-sectional area; 
   at least one fastening means for connecting said goalie training apparatus to at least one side of a goal frame;   wherein when said goalie training apparatus is positioned across the opening of a goal frame, said plurality of catchment voids are capable of forming a grid across said opening of said goal frame.   
     
     
         2 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tops of said catchment voids are closed. 
     
     
         3 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of catchment voids are positioned in a 3×3 grid. 
     
     
         4 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of catchment voids has the same height; 
     
     
         5 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of catchment voids has a different height than another one of said plurality of catchment voids. 
     
     
         6 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of apertures;   a support matrix threaded through said apertures.   
     
     
         7 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the 3×3 grid is comprised of a bottom row, a middle row, and a top row, said catchment voids of said top row have larger heights than said catchment voids of said middle row, and said catchment voids of said middle row have larger heights than said catchment voids of said bottom row. 
     
     
         8 . A goalie training apparatus comprising:
 a catchment void, said catchment void comprised of:   a square pyramid with an open base and a top, said pyramid having a first cross-sectional area at said open base and a second cross-sectional area at said top, wherein said first cross-sectional area is larger than said second cross-sectional area;   at least one fastening means for connecting said goalie training apparatus to at least one side of a goal frame;   wherein when said goalie training apparatus is positioned across the opening of a goal frame, said catchment void is capable of receiving an object passed through said open base.   
     
     
         9 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said top of said catchment void is closed. 
     
     
         10 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a square border located around said open base;   at least two apertures located on said square border; and   at least one internal sleeve located inside said square border, said internal sleeve accessible through at least one of said at least two apertures;   
     
     
         11 . The goalie training apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a support matrix, said support matrix comprising at least one strap, said at least one strap removably inserted through said at least one internal sleeve;   wherein said support matrix is capable of holding said open base of said catchment void in a particular position relative to the goal frame.   
     
     
         12 . A system for training a goalie, said system comprising:
 a training apparatus, said training apparatus comprising a plurality of catchment voids, wherein each catchment void is comprised of a square pyramid with an open base and a top, said top located at a height above said open base, said pyramid having a first cross-sectional area at said open base, and a second cross-sectional area at said top, wherein said first cross-sectional area is larger than said second cross-sectional area;   a support matrix, said support matrix capable of holding said training apparatus in a pre-determined position relative to the opening of a goal frame;   a support pole, said support pole adapted to be inserted into the ground;   at least one support cable having a first end and a second end, said at least one support cable adapted to be connected to at least one of said plurality of catchment voids at said first end, and said support cable connected to said support pole at said second end;   wherein when said support pole is inserted into the ground near the goal frame and said at least one support cable is connected to said at least one plurality of catchment voids and said support pole, said catchment voids may be held in an extended position.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of catchment voids is comprised of nine catchment voids arranged in a 3×3 matrix. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said tops of said plurality of catchment voids are closed. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of catchment voids each have the same height. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said training apparatus comprises a plurality of apertures in associated with a plurality of internal sleeves, and said support matrix is removably inserted through at least some of said plurality of internal sleeves.