System and method for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports activities

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for assisting children in learning and improving upon aim in basketball and other sports. The system is adapted for use with a basketball rim secured to a post or a mount, the basketball rim having a recessed portion. The system includes a retainer ring for insertion within or securing to the recess in the basketball rim; and one or more targets secured to the retainer ring, each target comprising a head portion connected to a stem. The target may be a traditional bullseye, a cartoon character, a letter, a number, among many other examples. In use, a child aims for the target, which is positioned just above the basketball rim, as opposed to the rim itself. In so doing, the child positions the basketball for a successful basket and not a rebound off the rim. The system also is configurable for other youth sports, including soccer and baseball as examples.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for assisting a child in learning and improving upon aim in shooting a basketball into a basketball rim secured to a post or mount, the system comprising:
 a retainer ring operatively connected to the basketball rim, the retainer ring comprising a full circle ring that secures to an inside edge of the entire basketball rim; and   a plurality of removable targets secured to the retainer ring, each removable target of said plurality of removable targets comprising a head portion connected to a stem, the stem having a base which passes through an aperture in the retainer ring for securing the stem to the retainer ring;   wherein the head portion of each removable target of said plurality of removable targets comprises a different character, each of said characters corresponding with a specific location on the retainer ring, for directing the child to aim for the specific location when each of said characters is called out by a coach providing instruction to the child;   wherein the head portion of each removable target of said plurality of removable targets is positioned above the basketball rim at a distance above the basketball rim where positioning of the basketball with respect to the basketball rim is optimized to ensure that the basketball passes over the plurality of removable targets and through the basketball rim.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retainer ring fits within the basketball ring. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retainer ring fits on top of the basketball ring, the retainer ring having clips for securing the retainer ring to the basketball rim. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retainer ring has one or more holes sized for receiving the target stem. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the stem is configured to bend upon impact by the basketball in the instance of poor aim of the shot. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the stem is configured to be rigid to resist impact by the basketball in the instance of poor aim of the shot. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the stem has a base portion that is rectangular-shaped and configured to press-fit within the retainer ring. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the stem has a base portion that is cylindrical-shaped and configured for insertion within the retainer ring. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the head portion has printed indicia selected from the group consisting of letters, numbers, and cartoon characters. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the head portion has internal circuitry to power one or more light sources protruding from a portion of said one or more targets, said light source configured to illuminate upon detection of the basketball. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the head portion has internal circuitry and a sound source, said sound source configured to play a sound effect or song upon detection of the basketball. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the head portion has internal circuitry operatively connected to a smart phone device, said internal circuitry communicating data to the smart phone relating to the child's shooting performance. 
     
     
         13 . A method for improving a child's aim in shooting a basketball into a basketball rim secured to a post or mount, the method comprising the steps of:
 securing a full circle retainer ring to an inside edge of the entire basketball rim;   securing a plurality of removable targets to the retainer ring, each removable target of said plurality of removable targets having comprising a head portion connected to a stem with, the stem having a base passing which passes through an aperture in the retainer ring for securing the stem to the retainer ring;   securing a head portion to each stem of said plurality of removable targets, each said head portion comprising a different character, each of said characters corresponding with a specific location on the retainer ring;   positioning the head portion of each removable target of said plurality of removable targets above the basketball rim at a distance above the basketball rim where positioning of the basketball with respect to the basketball rim is optimized to ensure that the basketball passes over the plurality of removable targets and through the basketball rim; and   aiming a basketball at a location immediately adjacent to and above the head portion of a specific target as identified by said character corresponding with a specific location on the retainer ring and shooting said basketball at said aimed location.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the steps of: providing the head portion with an internal circuitry to power one or more light sources protruding from a portion of said one or more targets, and illuminating said light source upon detection of the basketball. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the steps of: providing said one or more targets with an internal circuitry and a sound source, and playing a sound effect or song upon detection of the basketball. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the steps of: providing said one or more targets with an internal circuitry operatively connected to a smart phone device, and communicating data from said one or more targets to the smart phone relating to the child's shooting performance.