Adjustable volleyball trainer

Abstract

A volleyball trainer, and more particularly, a volleyball trainer that is adjustable to various heights, hoop sizes, and hoop angles to accommodate different training drills such as volleyball setting, passing, spiking, or bumping, is disclosed. The volleyball trainer enables players to hone their volleyball skills alone and at any time regardless of their levels of expertise. For beginners, the hoop of the volleyball trainer can be expanded to a larger perimeter. More advanced volleyball players can adjust the hoop to have a smaller perimeter. By enabling adjustment of the hoop angle and height, the volleyball trainer can accommodate multiple sports and practice drills. An elongated net that exits into a volleyball bag ensures that successful volleyball hits are easily retrieved for continuous practice. The volleyball bag is also a convenient carrying case for volleyballs or other balls after use because it is detachable from the base of the volleyball trainer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training apparatus, comprising:
 a hoop with a perimeter;   a net coupled to the hoop;   a vertical pole with a first end and a second end;   a base; and   a bag coupled to the base, wherein:
 the base is coupled to the second end of the vertical pole; 
 the perimeter of the hoop is adjustable; 
 the distance between the first end and the second end of the vertical pole is adjustable; and 
 the hoop is pivotably coupled to the vertical pole, wherein:
 the hoop is capable of being fixed at a particular angle. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the net extends into the bag. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to the base, wherein the base is capable of rolling on the plurality of wheels when the base is tilted at an angle. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the net is coupled to the vertical pole. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of suction cups coupled to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hoop comprises a plurality of tubular components. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical pole comprises a plurality of vertical components. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical components comprises a plurality of holes for receiving a spring-loaded pin. 
     
     
         9 . A sports training apparatus, comprising:
 a hoop with a perimeter;   a net coupled to the hoop;   a vertical pole with a first end and a second end, wherein
 the first end of the vertical pole comprises two parallel flanges each with a plurality of holes; 
   a base; and   a bag coupled to the base, wherein:
 the base is coupled to the second end of the vertical pole; 
 the perimeter of the hoop is adjustable; 
 the distance between the first end and the second end of the vertical pole is adjustable; and 
 the hoop is pivotably coupled to an elongate member extending between the two parallel flanges, wherein:
 the hoop is capable of being fixed at a particular angle. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the net extends into the bag. 
     
     
         11 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to the base, wherein the base is capable of rolling on the plurality of wheels when the base is tilted at an angle. 
     
     
         12 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the net is coupled to the vertical pole. 
     
     
         13 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of suction cups coupled to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the hoop comprises a plurality of tubular components. 
     
     
         15 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical pole comprises a plurality of vertical components. 
     
     
         16 . The sports training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical components comprises a plurality of holes for receiving a spring-loaded pin. 
     
     
         17 . A method of practicing with a sports training apparatus comprising a hoop with a perimeter pivotably coupled to a vertical pole with a first end and a second end, the method comprising:
 rolling the sports training apparatus to a desired location;   adjusting the distance between the first end and the second end of the vertical pole;   adjusting the perimeter of the hoop;   fixing the hoop at a particular angle; and   hitting a ball towards the hoop.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sports training apparatus further comprises a base; and a bag coupled to the base. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising collecting at least one ball in the bag. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising detaching the bag from the base while the at least one ball is in the bag.