Sports training aid

Abstract

A sports training system including a set of numbered panels to be placed on a playing or training surface. The training system uses circular panels strategically positioned on the ground to guide a player's feet into a proper sport stance for multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, and basketball. The training system provides multiple circle-shaped panels. The panels are sized appropriately such that when a player being trained places feet on opposite sides of the panel, the player is placed in an athletic stance, approximately shoulder-width apart. The location of the panel on the playing surface places the player in a proper position. The panels may be formed from neoprene. The panel lays flat on a playing surface. Each panel has indicia printed on one side. The panels are positioned throughout the playing surface and may be located appropriately for certain types of offensive or defensive formations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training kit comprising:
 a plurality of panels;   wherein each panel is generally circular;   wherein each panel is sized and configured to have two feet of a player at least a shoulder-width apart when each foot of the player is placed adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, each respective panel;   wherein each panel has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of each panel includes an indicia selected from a plurality of indicia;   wherein the plurality of indicia comprises a consecutive sequence;   wherein the second surface has no indicia   wherein the kit comprises at least one smaller diameter panel and at least one larger diameter panel such that a smaller diameter panel provides proper foot spacing for a smaller size player, a larger diameter panel provides proper foot spacing for a larger size player, thereby achieving substantially equivalent proportional foot spacing when the two feet of each player, respectively, are placed adjacent to, and on opposite sides of each respective panel.   
     
     
         2 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is a number. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is approximately 10″ in diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is comprised of neoprene. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein a number of panels included in a kit is twice a number of a plurality of numbers corresponding to a number of players for one team in a designated sport. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein a number of panels having a first surface facing up placed on a playing surface corresponds to a number of players on one team for a sport. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is comprised of a flexible material configured to receive at least one of an ink or a paint. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training kit of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is comprised of plastisol. 
     
     
         9 . A method of training a player comprising:
 providing a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are generally circular;   sizing the plurality of panels to have a diameter of approximately shoulder-width for a player;   placing a number on an first surface of each panel;   assigning the player to a numbered panel based on the number on the numbered panel;   placing the plurality of panels on a playing surface;   directing the player to stand at one of the plurality of panels based on the numbered panel to which the player was assigned;   directing the player to stand with the player's feet placed adjacent to, and on opposite sides of each respective panel such that the player's feet are at least shoulder width apart.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising placing the plurality of panels on a playing surface such that a plurality of panels having the first surface facing up to correspond to a set of players on a first team and a plurality of panels having the first surface facing down correspond to a set of players on a first team facing down to correspond to an opposing team. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a number of panels placed on a playing surface with first surfaces facing up corresponds to a number of players on one team for a sport. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each panel is comprised of at least one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene, nylon, a vinyl containing compound, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, polyurethane, a nitrile containing compound, gel, polypropylene fabric, nitrile rubber, open cell foam, closed cell foam, and fabric. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of training a player comprising:
 providing a plurality of panels, wherein the plurality of panels are generally circular and comprised of a rubber or synthetic rubber;   providing at least one smaller diameter panel for a smaller size player,   providing at least one larger diameter panel for a larger size player,   screen printing a number on a first surface of each panel in a center of the panel;   placing the plurality of panels on a playing surface;   assigning a number to each player according to the numbers on the panels;   directing the player to stand at one of the plurality of panels based on the number assigned to the player;   directing the player to stand with their feet adjacent to, and on opposite sides, of each respective panel thereby placing the player in an athletic stance at the assigned panel.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein a number of panels placed on a playing surface with first surfaces facing up corresponds to a number of players on one team for a sport.