Coaching tool for footwork development

Abstract

A coaching tool for footwork development including a plurality of shims arranged parallel to one another. The coaching tool includes a housing surrounding the shims. The housing has a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface. The coaching tool includes a handle extending from a first end to a second end. The first end is attached to the housing on the back surface, and the second end is spaced from the first end. A portion of the handle between the first end and the second end is disposed on a common plane with the bottom surface of the housing.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for coaching footwork development, comprising:
 instructing a player to move their feet to a desired location;   moving a coaching tool to an undesired location, the coaching tool including a housing and a handle attached to the housing; and   providing a kinesthetic response to the player through the coaching tool upon the player contacting the housing at the undesired location.   
     
     
         14 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 13 , wherein moving the coaching tool to the undesired location is accomplished by grasping the handle and sliding the coaching tool to the undesired location. 
     
     
         15 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 13 , wherein the housing includes a force sensor configured to identify a force applied to the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 15 , wherein the housing includes a light-emitting source, and wherein, upon recognition of a force applied to the force sensor, the light-emitting source emits a light. 
     
     
         17 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 15 , wherein the housing includes a sound-emitting source, and wherein, upon recognition of a force applied to the force sensor, the sound-emitting source emits a sound. 
     
     
         18 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 13 , wherein the coaching tool is moved by a football coach. 
     
     
         19 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 13 , wherein the handle extends from a first end to a second end with a fulcrum disposed between the first end and the second end, the first end being attached to the housing, the second end being spaced from the first end, and the fulcrum being configured such that a force exerted upon the handle near the second end in a substantially downward direction causes the first end of the handle to move in a substantially upward direction. 
     
     
         20 . The method for coaching footwork development of  claim 19 , wherein the coaching tool is moved along the ground at the fulcrum. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 instructing a user to move a foot to a desired location;   moving a coaching tool to an undesired location, the coaching tool comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of rubber shims, the housing including a front plate and a back plate opposite the front plate, the plurality of rubber shims being designed to provide a kinesthetic response to the user upon the foot of the user contacting one or more of the plurality of rubber shims, and the kinesthetic response indicating to the user that the foot of the user is in the undesired location, the plurality of rubber shims disposed between the front plate and the back plate of the housing, the plurality of rubber shims extending respective heights above the front plate and the back plate of the housing, the plurality of rubber shims respectively decreasing in height from the back plate toward the front plate; and 
 a handle extending from a first end to a second end with a fulcrum disposed between the first end and the second end, the first end being attached to the housing on the back plate, the second end being spaced from the first end, and the fulcrum being configured such that a force exerted upon the handle near the second end in a downward direction causes the first end of the handle to move in an upward direction; and 
   providing the kinesthetic response to the user through the coaching tool upon the user contacting the housing with the foot at the undesired location.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein moving the coaching tool to the undesired location comprises grasping the handle and sliding the coaching tool to the undesired location. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the housing includes a force sensor configured to identify a force applied to the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the housing includes a light-emitting source, and wherein, upon recognition of a force applied to the force sensor, the light-emitting source emits a light. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the housing includes a sound-emitting source, and wherein, upon recognition of a force applied to the force sensor, the sound-emitting source emits a sound. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the coaching tool is moved by a football coach. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the coaching tool is moved along the ground at the fulcrum. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the handle includes a first curve and a second curve, the first curve being between the first end and the second curve, and the second curve being between the first curve and the second end. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the fulcrum is located at the first curve. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the handle includes a first portion extending from the first curve to the first end, a second portion extending from the first curve to the second curve, and a third portion extending from the second curve to the second end, the first portion extending perpendicular to the back plate of the housing and the third portion extending parallel to the back plate of the housing. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the handle is removably attached to the housing. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of rubber shims includes four rubber shims.