Solo practice sport training tool

Abstract

A solo practice sport training tool providing a true return flight trajectory of a sports ball. The tool comprises a tether anchored at a proximal end and attached to a sports ball at the distal end, wherein the tether has an clastic first length and an inelastic second length.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A sport training tool for a sport involving dynamic ball interaction, comprising:
 (a) a tether having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end is configured and arranged for securement to a fixed position relative to ground, and   (b) a sport ball secured to the distal end of the tether,   (c) characterized by the tether having an elastic first length and an inelastic second length.   
     
     
         2 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the elastic first length is proximate the proximal end of the tether and the inelastic second length is proximate the distal end of the tether. 
     
     
         3 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the tether is between about 2 to 22 feet long when the elastic first length is fully relaxed. 
     
     
         4 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of elastic first length to inelastic second length when the elastic first length is fully relaxed is between about 1:1 to 10:1 with an inelastic second length of at least 2 feet. 
     
     
         5 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the modulus of elasticity of the elastic first length is between about 0.01 to 0.10 GPa. 
     
     
         6 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of mass per unit length of the elastic first length to the mass per unit length of the inelastic second length is 2:1 to 20:1. 
     
     
         7 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the tether is secured to a transportable heavy anchor. 
     
     
         8 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  further including a hand-operable quick release connector proximate the proximal end of the tether for securement of the tether to a fixed position relative to ground. 
     
     
         9 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the sport ball is a ball used in a competitive return-action racquet sport. 
     
     
         10 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the sport ball is a pickleball ball. 
     
     
         11 . The sport training tool of  claim 1  wherein the weight of the tether is less than 40% the weight of the sport ball. 
     
     
         12 . A competitive return-action racquet sport training tool, comprising:
 (a) a tether having a proximal end and a distal end,   (b) a hand-operable quick release connector secured to the proximal end of the tether operable for securement of the proximal end of the tether to a racquet, and   (c) a sport ball secured to the distal end of the tether,   (d) characterized by the tether having an elastic first length and an inelastic second length.   
     
     
         13 . The sport training tool of  claim 12  wherein the elastic first length is proximate the proximal end of the tether and the inelastic second length is proximate the distal end of the tether. 
     
     
         14 . The sport training tool of  claim 13  wherein the tether is between about 2 to 22 feet long when the elastic first length is fully relaxed. 
     
     
         15 . The sport training tool of  claim 13  wherein the ratio of elastic first length to inelastic second length when the elastic first length is fully relaxed is between about 1:1 to 10:1 with an inelastic second length of at least 2 feet. 
     
     
         16 . The sport training tool of  claim 13  wherein the modulus of elasticity of the elastic first length is between about 0.01 to 0.10 GPa. 
     
     
         17 . The sport training tool of  claim 13  wherein the ratio of mass per unit length of the elastic first length to the mass per unit length of the inelastic second length is 2:1 to 20:1. 
     
     
         18 . The sport training tool of  claim 13  wherein the sport ball is selected from the group consisting of a pickleball ball, a tennis ball, a squash ball, and a racquet ball. 
     
     
         19 . The sport training tool of  claim 13  wherein the weight of the tether is less than 40% the weight of the sport ball. 
     
     
         20 . A competitive return-action racquet sport training tool, comprising:
 (a) a racquet,   (b) a tether having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end is configured for securement to the racquet, and   (c) a sport ball secured to the distal end of the tether,   (d) characterized by the tether having an clastic first length and an inelastic second length.