Sports training device

Abstract

A sports training device may take the place of cones to create the illusion of defenders and/or obstacles. The sports training device may be collapsible so that it is easy to transport and store when it is not in use. The sports training device may be formed as a cylindrical structure having a top portion formed of a taut material with a steel wire frame and a bottom portion attached to a weighted base. The sports training device also may include straps that may secure the sports training device when it is in a collapsed state. The sports training device may further include one or more handles to facilitate transport of the sports training device.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a sports training device, wherein the sports training device comprises:
 a cylindrical structure having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the cylindrical structure has a hollow interior; and 
 a weighted base coupled to the bottom portion of the cylindrical structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 collapsing the sports training device from an expanded state to a collapsed state.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the sports training device has a disk-shape when in the collapsed state. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the sports training device in the disk-shape has a thickness of about 1 inch. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 transporting the sports training device in the collapsed state.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 securing the sports training device in the collapsed state with straps that are attached to the sports training device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 placing the sports training device in a bag after the step of collapsing.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 expanding the sports training device from a collapsed state to an expanded state.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 placing the sports training device on a basketball court.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the sports training device has a first wire formed in a first closed circle around and coupled to an upper perimeter of the cylindrical structure, wherein the bottom portion of the sports training device has a second wire formed in a second closed circle around and coupled to a bottom perimeter of the cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the middle portion of the sports training device comprises a fabric material and a third wire coupled to the fabric material, wherein the third wire has a helical shape when the sports training device is in an expanded state. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the sports training device further comprises a material having an opening formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sports training device is a first sports training device, the method further comprising:
 stacking a second sports training device on top of the first sports training device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second sports training device comprises:
 a second cylindrical structure having a second top portion, a second middle portion, and a second bottom portion, wherein the second cylindrical structure has a second hollow interior; and   a second weighted base coupled to the second bottom portion of the second cylindrical structure.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein after the step of stacking, the second weighted base of the second sports training device is above the top portion of the first sports training device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 after the step of stacking, attaching the first sports training device to the second sports training device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing a sports ball in the sports training device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sports training device is configured to move between an expanded state and a collapsed state, wherein a height of the sports training device is in a range of 18 inches to 60 inches when in the expanded state. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sports training device has a diameter of about 17 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sports training device is configured to move between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the method further comprising:
 storing a sports ball in the sports training device when in the expanded state.