Basketball training apparatus and method

Abstract

A basketball training method and apparatus that measures and perfects a player's shooting motion, providing feedback to the user. The apparatus will quickly give feedback to athletes in the shooting motion. It will improve their shot form and also train them to shoot the basketball the same way overtime in order to develop proper muscle memory, thereby creating a more accurate basketball shot. The instant feedback removes uncertainty for the player as to whether or not they are shooting the correct way.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A basketball shot training apparatus, comprising:
 a sleeve formed of an elastic material and dimensioned to fit around a user's arm between a forearm and an upper arm;   one or more sensors carried on the sleeve configured to determine a position and a movement of the user's arm when shooting a basketball;   a control circuit with a processor configured to compare the position and movement of the user's arm with a desired position and movement of the user's arm when shooting the basketball; and   a feedback signaling device, configured to advise the user of the position and movement of the user's arm relative to the desired position when shooting the basketball.   
     
     
         2 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback signaling device comprises:
 a light emitting device.   
     
     
         3 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the light emitting device is visible in a peripheral field of view of the shooter when shooting. 
     
     
         4 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the light emitting device illuminates in a first color, indicating conformance with the desired position. 
     
     
         5 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the light emitting device illuminates a second color, indicating a deviation from the desired position. 
     
     
         6 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback signaling device comprises an audio output device. 
     
     
         7 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback signaling device comprises a vibratory emitter. 
     
     
         8 . The basketball shot training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer sleeve dimensioned to overly the sleeve.   
     
     
         9 . A method for basketball shot training:
 fitting a shot training sleeve to a shooting arm of a user, the shot training sleeve having one or more sensors carried on the sleeve configured to determine a position and a movement of the user's arm when shooting a basketball, a control circuit with a processor configured to compare the position and movement of the user's arm with a desired position and movement of the user's arm when shooting a basketball, a feedback signaling device; and   activating the feedback signaling device, during a basketball shot, to advise the user of the position and movement of the user's arm relative to the desired position when shooting the basketball.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing a positive feedback signal to the user, when the basketball shot conforms with the desired position and movement.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 providing a negative feedback signal to the user, when the basketball shot is a deviation from the desired position and movement.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the feedback signal is one or more of an audio, a visual, or a tactile feedback signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing the visual feedback signal in a peripheral field of view of the user.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 activating the feedback signal during an initial ready position for the basketball shot.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 terminating the feedback signal after a follow through position for the basketball shot.