Paddle Training Aid and Method

Abstract

An inventive pickleball training device comprising a body portion, a handle portion, and attachment means to secure a user's hand to said body portion and a user's wrist/forearm to said handle portion. The body and hand portions are linked via a friction or torque hinge such that the relative angle between the body and handle of the inventive device, and accordingly the relative angle between the hand and wrist of the user, can be held securely in place (subject to the application of force to the hinge). Methods of using same are also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A paddle training device comprising:
 a paddle body configured with straps to secure the hand of a user;   wherein, the body is linked to an arm mounting bracket through a friction hinge further linked to a pivot hinge.   
     
     
         2 . The paddle training device of  claim 1 , wherein the friction hinge is integrated into the body. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle training device of  claim 1 , wherein the friction hinge is not integrated into the body. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle training device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm mounting bracket comprises an arm body configured with at least one forearm strap. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle training device of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the device is at least partially covered in a moisture-absorbing composition, a moisture-wicking composition, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle training device of  claim 5 , wherein the moisture-absorbing composition comprise cotton. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle training device of  claim 5 , wherein the moisture-wicking composition comprises a polyester, polypropylene, a polyamide, an elastomeric fiber, a cellulosic fiber, a semi-synthetic cellulosic fiber, bamboo, wool, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The paddle training device of  claim 1 , wherein the torque hinge further comprises a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle training device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises markings denoting angles. 
     
     
         10 . A method of training for a paddleball sport comprising:
 adjusting the device of  claim 1  to a desired angle;   securing a user's hand to the body of the device; and   securing a user's forearm to the arm of the device, thereby forming a desired conformation for a pickleball swing.