Apparatus and method for improving basketball defensive team skills

Abstract

An apparatus for improving basketball defensive player skills includes a plurality of belts, wherein each belt is to be worn by each of five players. Each belt comprises a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end. The apparatus includes a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord being connectable between each of the connecting links on the belt worn by each player and one of the connecting links on each of two adjacent players. When connected, the elastic cords and belts form a single perimeter closed pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for improving basketball defensive player skills, comprising:
 a plurality of belts, each belt to be worn by each of a plurality of players, each belt comprising a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end; and   a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord connectable between one of the connecting links on the belt worn by each player and one of the connecting links on each of two adjacent players to each player, wherein when connected, the elastic cords and belts form a single perimeter closed pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the connecting links are movable along the band when connected by the plurality of elastic cords. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastic cords each comprises an elastomer core disposed within a woven fiber exterior jacket. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastic cords each comprises a spring-loaded bark closed clasp at each longitudinal end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastic cords are in a fully stretched length range of 16 to 18 feet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastic cords have a relaxed length of five feet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastic cords have a spring rate of 18 pounds force at 95 percent of full stretch. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a number of the plurality of belts and a number of the elastic cords is five. 
     
     
         9 . A method for practicing basketball player movement, comprising:
 having each of a plurality of players wear a respective one of plurality of belts, each belt comprising a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end, and a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord connected between each of the connecting links on the one of the plurality of belts worn by each player and one of the linking rings on the belt worn by each of two adjacent players, wherein when connected, the elastic cords and the belts form a single perimeter closed pattern; and   causing at least one of the players to move his position or change orientation in response to an opposing team action, wherein the move or change of the at least one player causes a corresponding tug on the belt worn by the other of the plurality of players.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the players are defensive players. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the connecting links are movable along the band when connected by the plurality of elastic cords. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the elastic cords each comprises an elastomer core disposed within a woven fiber exterior jacket. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the elastic cords each comprises a spring-loaded bark closed clasp at each longitudinal end. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the elastic cords are in a fully stretched length range of 16 to 18 feet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the elastic cords have a relaxed length of five feet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the elastic cords have a spring rate of 18 pounds force at 95 percent of full stretch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a number of the plurality of players is five.