Method and apparatus for developing and improving place kicking skills in soccer goal kicking

Abstract

A training apparatus for place kicking in soccer has a goal frame including a first vertical post, a second vertical post spaced apart and connected at the tops to a horizontal cross bar, a soccer netting attached to the first and second vertical posts and to the horizontal cross bar, two or more vertical straps attached at one end to the cross bar and staked to the ground at the opposite ends thereof, two or more diagonal and or horizontal straps attached to the first and second vertical posts and residing there between, and two or more visible targets strategically attached to the soccer netting. The vertical straps and the horizontal straps intersecting to create multiple visible target zones, the two or more targets attached strategically to the soccer netting within the visible footprints of individual ones or a plurality of the created target zones.

1 . A training apparatus for place kicking in soccer comprising:
 a rigid goal frame including a first vertical post, a second vertical post spaced apart and connected at the tops to a horizontal cross bar;   a soccer netting attached to the first and second vertical posts and to the horizontal cross bar;   two or more vertical straps attached at one end to the cross bar and staked to the ground at the opposite ends thereof;   two or more diagonal and or horizontal straps attached to the first and second vertical posts and residing there between; and   two or more visible targets strategically attached to the soccer netting;   wherein the two or more vertical straps and the two or more horizontal straps intersect to create multiple visible target zones, the two or more targets attached strategically to the soccer netting within the visible footprints of individual ones or a plurality of the created target zones.   
     
     
         2 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid goal frame is a rectangular structure of a regulation size relative to width dimension and height dimension for representing a soccer goal frame. 
     
     
         3 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the soccer netting is attached to the first and second vertical posts and to the horizontal cross bar at multiple attachment locations provided linearly and in equal spacing around the rectangular frame. 
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid goal frame is fabricated of a polymer material or a metallic material and the soccer netting is fabricated of a polymer material or a fabric material. 
     
     
         5 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more vertical straps are staked to the ground with ground hooks or stakes. 
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more vertical straps are strategically positioned along the span of the horizontal cross bar, the cross bar having multiple attachment points arranged linearly and equally spaced apart across the span of the cross bar. 
     
     
         7 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more horizontal straps are strategically positioned along the vertical span of the first and second vertical posts, the vertical posts having multiple attachment points arranged linearly and equally spaced apart across the vertical span of the first and second vertical posts. 
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more visible targets include larger targets and smaller targets. 
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more visible targets are fabricated from a polymer material or a fabric material. 
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a computerized processing unit (CPU), a power source, and a set of instructions residing on a medium coupled to or otherwise residing on the CPU, and multiple strike sensors or switches connected one per to the two or more targets, the sensors or switches communicating to the CPU when triggered by a ball strike using a wireless network or through multiple wires or traces connecting the sensors or switches to the CPU. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a first video camera positioned behind a player in front of the training apparatus, the first camera re-strapping video of the player taking shots on goal and sending the video or at least metrics of motion in the video to the CPU using a wireless network or a communication cable. 
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus of  claim 11 , further including a second video camera positioned to one side or the other side of the player in front of the training apparatus, the second camera re-strapping video of the player taking shots on goal and sending the video or at least metrics of motion in the video to the CPU using a wireless network or a communication cable. 
     
     
         13 . The training apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the metrics of motion include trajectory, distance, and ball speed. 
     
     
         14 . The training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the metrics of motion include foot angle of the player and elevation of the point of contact of the players foot to the ball relative to ball dimensions, and foot placement. 
     
     
         15 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more vertical, diagonal, and horizontal straps are attachable to the soccer netting as an option other than direct attachment to the rigid goal frame. 
     
     
         16 . A method for practicing target place kicking of at least one soccer ball toward a soccer training apparatus, the apparatus including a rigid goal frame and a net attachable across the frame, the net and or frame supporting two or more modular and position-adjustable cords placed vertically, horizontally, and or diagonally across the frame creating two or more target zones containing one or more targets attached to the net within one or more of the created target zones including;
 (a) securing the net, the cords, and the targets in desired positions for use;   (b) placing at least one soccer ball on the field at a first known distance from the goal frame;   (c) kicking the at least one soccer ball aiming for a target within a zone from the point of placement;   (d) logging strikes and otherwise recording the activity;   (e) placing the at least one soccer ball at a second known distance from the goal frame, the second distance further away from the frame than the first distance;   (f) repeat (c) and (d) relative to the second distance;   (g) placing the at least one soccer ball at a third known distance from the goal frame, the third distance further away from the frame than the second distance;   (h) repeat (c) and (d) relative to the third distance.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein in (a) the number of cords and targets secured in place is dependent at least in part on the level of skill of the kicker of the soccer ball. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein in (b) there are more than one soccer balls placed at the first, second, and third known distances, the balls spaced apart to the right side, center, and left side of the training apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein in (b) the first distance is six yards from frame, in (e) the second distance is twelve yards from frame, and in (g) the third distance is eighteen yards from frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein in (d) recording may be performed electronically using one or more video cameras placed behind and or at the side of the kicker, and logging strikes may be performed electronically using a computer processing unit (CPU) having leads connected to or otherwise wirelessly networked with sensors or switches attached to or embedded in the targets.