Basketball bankshot aiming aid for backboard

Abstract

This description relates to a basketball bankshot aiming aid. The aiming aid comprises target areas placed on the backboard of a basketball hoop. Shooting a basketball at the aiming aid can improve bankshot shooting accuracy. The aiming aid also comprises a vertical reference marker on the backboard and extending vertically above the rim of the basketball hoop. The vertical reference marker aids shooters in identifying the middle of the backboard relative to the rim. A rim reference marker is disposed on an inside of the rim. The rim reference marker aids shooters in identifying a back portion of the rim. The aiming aid also comprises court location markers that identify basketball court locations and that correspond with segments of the target areas. Shooting from a particular court location and aiming at the corresponding segment of the target area can improve bankshot shooting accuracy.

1 . A basketball bankshot aiming system, comprising:
 a basketball backboard;   a basketball rim attached to the basketball backboard; and   an aiming device disposed on the backboard and positioned such that a middle of the aiming device encompasses an area on the backboard for banking a basketball shot into the rim from a location other than perpendicular to the backboard.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device comprises two target areas that mirror each other. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device comprises a diamond-shaped target. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device comprises a target having a diamond, square, circular, oval, rhomboid, multi-sided, or logo shape. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device comprises a vertical aiming line extending upwards from the rim. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device comprises a rim reference marker disposed on an inside portion of the rim. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device is a decal. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device is painted on the backboard. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the aiming device comprises a target area that is segmented into a plurality of sections, each section corresponding with a shooting location on a basketball court. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of court location markers configured to be placed on the basketball court to mark shooting locations on the court, each of the court location markers corresponding with a particular one of the sections of the target area of the aiming device. 
     
     
         11 . A basketball bankshot aiming aid, comprising:
 a target configured to be disposed on a basketball backboard in a position such that a middle of the target encompasses an area on the backboard for banking a basketball shot, from a location other than perpendicular to the backboard, into a basketball rim attached to the backboard.   
     
     
         12 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the target comprises two target areas that mirror each other. 
     
     
         13 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the target comprises a diamond, square, rectangular, circular, oval, rhomboid, multi-sided, or logo shape. 
     
     
         14 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the target comprises a vertical aiming line extending upwards from the rim. 
     
     
         15 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein target comprises a rim reference marker configured to be disposed on an inside portion of the rim. 
     
     
         16 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the target is a decal. 
     
     
         17 . The aid according to  claim 11 , wherein the target comprises an area that is segmented into a plurality of sections, each section corresponding with a shooting location on a basketball court. 
     
     
         18 . The aid according to  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of court location markers configured to be placed on the basketball court to mark shooting locations on the court, each of the court location markers corresponding with a particular one of the sections of the target area of the aiming device. 
     
     
         19 . A basketball bankshot aiming system, comprising:
 a target configured to be disposed on a basketball backboard in a position such that a middle of the target encompasses an area on the backboard for banking a basketball shot, from a location other than perpendicular to the backboard, into a basketball rim attached to the backboard, the target comprising an area that is segmented into a plurality of sections, each section corresponding with a shooting location on a basketball court; and   a plurality of court location markers configured to be placed on the basketball court to mark shooting locations on the court, each of the court location markers corresponding with a marking of a particular one of the sections of the target area of the aiming device, wherein each of the corresponding court location markers and target sections comprise corresponding markings.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled)