Football training apparatus

Abstract

A football training apparatus teaches new football players such as quarterbacks and running backs to identify and execute plays through a simulated football line of scrimmage that is configurable to communicate strategic movements through the assignment of holes. In some embodiments, multiple stand-up vinyl displays are organized to simulate a line of scrimmage. In further embodiments, a training device includes multiple tagged belts when worn by live players organized in a scrimmage line, that communicate position identities and denotes hole assignments for learning to execute strategic plays for offensive players. In yet further embodiments, a training device includes multiple football jerseys when worn by live players organized in a scrimmage line, that communicate position identities and denotes gap assignments for learning to execute strategic plays for defensive players.

1 . An apparatus for training a football player, comprising:
 a plurality of free standing, rigid, foldable placards, each of the plurality of placards shaped and sized to resemble a football player, wherein each placard comprises:
 a first panel movably joined to a second panel along an upper substantially horizontal edge thereof and having a first display outward facing surface; and 
 said second panel having a second outward facing display surface facing opposite to the first display surface; 
 wherein the panels are movable relative to each other between a folded position and an operative position; 
 wherein the first and the second display surfaces of each panel display indicia, each indicium of the indicia comprising at least one symbol that, with corresponding indicia displayed on the display surfaces of a plurality of aligned or associated placards, denotes offensive or defensive positions and assignment holes and gaps in a simulated football scrimmage line;
 wherein when the placards are arranged relative to each other as the simulated football scrimmage line when the panels are in said operative position said placards create an assignment of holes and gaps that communicates strategic movements to a football player. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , each placard further comprising:
 an extendible member projecting transversely from a lower edge of one or both of the panels, said member having a downwardly projecting pointed end, wherein when the member is in an extended position beyond the lower edge of the panel the pointed end of the member penetrates a ground surface upon which the placard rests to secure the placard thereto, and wherein when the member is in a withdrawn position recessed above the lower edge of the panel the placard is not secured to the ground surface upon which it rests.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a handle configured to move the member between the recessed position and the extended position.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the assignment holes and gaps comprise an arrangement of at least two of:
 a center position, a quarterback, and a defensive tackle, a right guard, a halfback a defensive end, a right tackle, a fullback, a linebacker, a right tight end, a tailback, a cornerback, a left guard, a left tackle, a safety and a left tight end.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface comprises at least one of vinyl, corrugated vinyl, cardboard, wood, plastic, or metal. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for training a football player, comprising:
 a plurality of belts;
 each belt configured to be worn by the football player and comprising: 
 a first hanging tag disposed on the belt to be positioned on a right side of the football player; and 
 a second hanging tag disposed on the belt to be positioned on a left side of the football player,
 wherein each of the first hanging tag and the second hanging tag has indicia imprinted thereon that denotes, in combination with adjacent indicia imprinted on adjacent belts, respective offensive positions, 
 wherein the indica defines respective assignment holes in a simulated football scrimmage line, said simulated football scrimmage line representing a plurality of football players, and 
 wherein the simulated football scrimmage line is configurable to communicate strategic movements through the assignment holes. 
 
   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for training a football player, comprising:
 a plurality of jerseys;
 each jersey comprising: 
 a front side; 
 wherein the front side has indicia displayed thereon, each indicium of the indicia comprising at least one symbol that, with corresponding indicia imprinted on adjacent jerseys, denotes defensive positions and assignment gaps in a simulated football scrimmage line,
 wherein the simulated football scrimmage line is configurable to communicate strategic movements through the assignment gaps.