System, apparatus, and method configured to improve athletic performance in sports aimed at hitting a ball over a net

Abstract

A device configured to encourage a tennis player to hit a tennis ball higher over a tennis net includes a pair of telescoping rods. Each pair of telescoping rods can include an inner segment and an outer segment. The outer segment can surround at least a portion of the inner segment. The outer segment can be movable with respect to the lower rod to at least one raised position and at least one lowered position. The lower rod of each telescoping rod can be attached to a vertical support post at opposing ends of a tennis net or directly to the tennis net. At least one fastener can be attached to the outer segment of each pair of telescoping rods. A string can attach the at least one fastener of each telescoping rod. The string can extend above and generally parallel to a top surface of the tennis net.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device configured to encourage a tennis player to hit a tennis ball a predetermined distance above a tennis net, the device comprising:
 a pair of spaced-apart telescoping rods, each telescoping rod including an inner segment and an outer segment, the outer segment surrounding at least a portion of the inner segment, the outer segment being movable with respect to the inner segment to at least one raised position and at least one lowered position, one of the inner and outer segments of each telescoping rod being attached to i) a vertical support post at opposing ends of a tennis net or ii) directly to the tennis net;   a string extending between the telescoping rods, the string extending above and generally parallel to a top surface of the tennis net; and   at least one fastener removably attached to the string proximate each telescoping rod, each fastener being movable with respect to the respective telescoping rod.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each fastener is a cord lock. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein each cord lock includes a barrel movable with respect to a toggle. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , the at least one fastener is an eye hook. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fastener includes at least two fasteners extending through the inner and outer segments of each pair of telescoping rods, the at least two fasteners attached to each pair of telescoping rods being spaced-apart such that a first one of the at least two fasteners being vertically spaced above a second one of the at least two fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , the string extends between the first one of the at least two fasteners on opposing telescoping rods and extends between the second one of the at least two fasteners on opposing telescoping rods. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein there is no netting between an upper, horizontally-extending portion of the string and a lower, horizontally-extending portion of the string. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the upper, horizontally-extending portion of the string is located approximately 2 feet above the top surface of the tennis net. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the inner and outer segments includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes extending therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each inner and outer segment is formed of PVC pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the string can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground by adjusting the position of the outer segment with respect to the inner segment on either or both telescoping rods. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each inner and outer segments includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes extending therethrough, each hole being configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         13 . A device configured to encourage an athlete to hit or throw a ball a predetermined distance above a net, the device comprising:
 a pair of spaced-apart telescoping rods, each telescoping rod including an inner segment and an outer segment, the outer segment surrounding at least a portion of the inner segment, the outer segment being movable with respect to the lower rod, the lower rod of each telescoping rod being attached to a vertical support post at opposing ends of a net or directly to the net;   a string extending between the telescoping rods, the string extending above and generally parallel to a top surface of the tennis net; and   a cord lock attached to the string proximate each telescoping rod, in combination the cord locks being configured to maintain the string in a taut configuration between the pair of telescoping rods,   wherein the pair of telescoping rods are located between the two cord locks along the string, and   wherein the string can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground by adjusting the position of the outer segment with respect to the inner segment on either or both telescoping rods.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein each cord lock includes a barrel movable with respect to a toggle. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each cord lock includes a spring. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein each rod is a PVC tube. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein each cord lock is movable with respect to the respective telescoping rod.