GB2372710A

GB2372710A - Improvements to sports training equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2372710A
Application number: GB0105093A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Dean; Darren Way
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-01
Filing date: 2001-03-01
Publication date: 2002-09-04
Also published as: GB0105093D0

Abstract

A soccer ball (1) comprising a plurality of indicia marked or formed thereon wherein the indicia (2) define a plurality of striking zones (C, K) on the ball, the striking zones being positioned such that when the ball is struck on one of the striking zones the ball has a significant tendency to move with a specific trajectory corresponding to the striking zone, wherein the ball further comprises one or more indicia for indicating the correct starting orientation of the ball so that the ball can be used to encourage players to apply swerve or to chip or lob the ball. The ball can be used in combination with a suitably marked boot (Fig 2, not shown), the markings on the boot being removable. The idea of dedicated markings is also applicable to other sports.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO SPORTS EOUIPMENT The present invention relates to improvements to items of sports equipment. In particular the invention relates to improvements in sports equipment where a first item of sports equipment is struck by a second item of sports equipment. In an illustrated embodiment a ball, an item of footwear and a kit for playing a ball game are described. In particular, the ball, item of footwear and kit are designed for use for playing or practising the game of association football otherwise known as soccer, but are not so limited.

Many sports involve the movement of a first item of sports equipment between a number of players who strike the first item of sports equipment with one or more second items of sports equipment. For example, in the game of football, also known as soccer, a ball is moved between a number of players formed into two teams. The ball is struck by the foot which is typically clad in a shoe or boot. There are a number of basic ball skills involved in the successful striking of the ball. In particular, a player must learn how to successfully move the ball in a number of different ways. These include the skills of passing, chipping, lobbing and curling the ball with the aim of either passing the ball to another player or in shooting the ball at a target, such as a goal. The successful accomplishment of a pass, chip, lob or curl requires the ball to be struck correctly which requires the correct area or portion of the ball to be struck by the correct area or portion of the foot of the player.

Previously, these skills have largely been learnt by trial and error, or by example from an experienced player. More recently, attempts have been made to produce training videos showing the skills being

performed. However, such videos are expensive and not widely available. They also require audio-visual equipment which may not be available, especially near where the game is to be played or practised.

Providing skilled players to teach learner players these skills is expensive and relies on a significant degree of communication between the expert player and the learner player. A problem occurs where no expert player is available. In addition, further problems occurs where a language barrier is present between the expert and the learner. This may be due to the expert and learner speaking different languages or for another reason. In these situations, it is difficult for a learner player to develop successfully the skills necessary to achieve movements of the ball such as passing, chipping, lobbing and curling. Similar problems are encountered in other sports.

It is an object of the present invention to items of sports equipment which help to alleviate these and other problems.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a first item of sports equipment comprising a plurality of indicia marked or formed thereon wherein the indicia define a plurality of striking zones on the item of sports equipment, the striking zones being positioned such that when the item of sports equipment is struck on one of the striking zones the item of sports equipment has a significant tendency to move with a specific trajectory corresponding to the striking zone.

In one embodiment the item is a soccer ball.

The present invention also provides a second item of sports equipment comprising a plurality of indicia marked or formed thereon wherein the indicia define a plurality of impact zones on the second item of sports equipment, the impact zones being positioned such that when a first item of sports equipment is struck by one

of the impact zones the first item of sports equipment has a significant tendency to move with a specific trajectory corresponding to the impact zone.

In one embodiment the second item of sports equipment is a boot.

The present invention further provides a kit for playing a sports game comprising a first item of sports equipment as previously claimed and at least one second item of sports equipment as previously claimed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ball in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pair of boots in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show a ball 1 and a pair of boots 10. The ball 1 is in general shape and materials the same as a conventional football. For example, the ball may be made of leather, plastic or other synthetic and may be of a single piece construction or made up of individual panel which are joined to form the whole ball. Likewise, the boot 10 is in general form and materials the same as known football boots.

In accordance with the present invention the ball 1 and boot 10 are provided with a plurality of spatially arranged indicia 2,12. The indicia 2 on the ball 1 are shown in Figure 1 as colour-coded areas of polygonal shape. However, the indicia may be colourcoded areas of other shapes or alternatively be alphanumeric characters such as Roman numerals or letters of the alphabet. The indicia 2 are spacially arranged on the ball 1 so as to form a plurality of striking zones. The indicia 2 may be integrally formed as part of the material of the ball. For example, a single hexagonal panel of a leather ball

may be coloured so as to form the colour-coded area. Alternatively, the indicia may be applied to the pre manufactured ball 1. For example, a dye or ink may be applied to the ball 1 by printing or other method to colour the material or coloured patches or stickers may be applied, stitched or stuck to the material of the ball 1. It is preferred, where the ball is a leather or synthetic ball of the type comprising a number of stitched panels that the indicia are formed by colouring a single panel for each striking zone.

It is preferred, where the ball is of a synthetic, for example plastic, type which has a one-piece construction that the indicia are applied by printing methods.

The boot of Figure 2 is provided with corresponding indicia which are shown for example in Figure 2 as colour-coded areas. As with the ball 1, the indicia may be formed integrally with the material of the boot or be applied after the boot has been manufactured. Preferably, where the boot is of a leather construction, the indicia 12 are formed as coloured leather panels which are stitched on the boot 10. Alternatively, the indicia 12 may be formed by printing or the application of transfers or other stickers.

The indicia 2,12 may be provided as a permanent part of the ball 1 and boot 10 or as a temporary addition. For example, where the indicia 2,12 are formed by the application of transfers or stickers, these may be removed at a later date to transform the ball 1 and boot 10 into a conventional ball and boot.

This may be advantageous where the learner player has progressed to the point where they no longer require the guidance of the indicia.

In use, the learner player places the ball 1 on the ground and then strikes the ball 1 with the boot 10 such that a particular indicia on the boot 10

strikes the corresponding indicia 2 on the ball 1. For example, the zone marked K in Figure 2 when used to strike the ball 1 on the zone marked K in Figure 1 would result in the ball 1 having a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a curl between the learner player and another player. Similarly, striking the ball 1 at zone C with the area of the boot 10 zone marked by C in Figure 2 would result in the ball having a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a chip, i. e. following an arcuate path off the ground.

In this way, a learner player may in a straight forward way practice the essential skills which form part of a game of association football.

Advantageously, no language requirement is required by the learner player nor is the supervision of an expert player needed.

Optionally, a mark or other indicator may be provided on the ball 1 to allow the learner player to easily correctly orientate the ball 1 on the ground before striking the ball 1.

Optionally, an instruction manual (not shown) may be provided showing either in written or pictorial form how to use the apparatus of the balll and boot 10.

While the specific embodiment of the invention has been described with respect to the use of a ball and boot for learning skills for use in the game of association football it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the game of association football nor to the particular item of footwear of a boot, and that the invention may be used with other items of sports equipment which requires a first item of sports equipment to be struck by a second item of sports equipment. For example, the first item may be any of a rugby ball, an American football, a cricket ball, a tennis ball, a snooker ball or similar; the second item may be any of a rugby boot, a football boot, a trainer shoe, a racket, a bat, a snooker cue, a ball or similar.

Claims

Claims : 1. A first item of sports equipment comprising a plurality of indicia marked or formed thereon wherein the indicia define a plurality of striking zones on the item of sports equipment, the striking zones being positioned such that when the item of sports equipment is struck on one of the striking zones the item of sports equipment has a significant tendency to move with a specific trajectory corresponding to the striking zone.
2. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of indicia are arranged symmetrically on the item of sports equipment.
3. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of indicia are formed asymmetrically on the item of sports equipment.
4. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the indicia are colourcoded areas.
5. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the indicia are alphanumeric characters.
6. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the indicia are formed integrally with the material of the item of sports equipment.
7. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the indicia are attached, printed on or otherwise applied to the

material of the item of sports equipment.
8. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 7 wherein the indicia are removable.
9. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising one or more indicia for indicating the correct starting orientation of the item of sports equipment.
10. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the item is a soccer ball, a rugby ball, an American football, a cricket ball, a tennis ball, a snooker ball or similar.
11. A first item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 10 wherein the item is a soccer ball.
12. A soccer ball as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a pass striking zone, the pass striking zone being positioned such that when the ball is struck on the pass striking zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a pass.
13. A soccer ball as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a chip striking zone, the chip striking zone being positioned such that when the ball is struck on the chip striking zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a chip.
14. A soccer ball as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a lob striking zone, the lob striking zone being positioned such that when the ball is struck on the

lob striking zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a lob.
15. A soccer ball as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a curl striking zone, the curl striking zone being positioned such that when the ball is struck on the curl striking zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a curl.
16. A soccer ball as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15 which is for use in the game of association football.
17. A second item of sports equipment comprising a plurality of indicia marked or formed thereon wherein the indicia define a plurality of impact zones on the second item of sports equipment, the impact zones being positioned such that when a first item of sports equipment is struck by one of the impact zones the first item of sports equipment has a significant tendency to move with a specific trajectory corresponding to the impact zone.
18. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of indicia are arranged symmetrically on the second item of sports equipment.
19. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of indicia are formed asymmetrically on the second item of sports equipment.
20. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the indicia are colour-coded areas.
21. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the indicia are alphanumeric characters.
22. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21 wherein the indicia are formed integrally with the material of the second item of sports equipment.
23. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21 wherein the indicia are attached, printed on or otherwise applied to the material of the second item of sports equipment.
24. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in claim 23 wherein the indicia are removable.
25. A second item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 17 to 24 wherein the second item is a soccer boot, a rugby boot, a football boot, a trainer shoe, a racket, a bat, a snooker cue, a ball or similar.
26. A boot as claimed in claim 25 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a pass impact zone, the pass impact zone being positioned such that when a ball is struck by the pass impact zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a pass.
27. A boot as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a chip impact zone, the chip impact zone being positioned such that when a ball is struck by the chip impact zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a chip.
28. A boot as claimed in any of claims 25 to 27 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a lob impact zone, the lob impact zone being positioned such that when a ball is struck by the lob impact zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a lob.
29. A boot as claimed in any of claims 25 to 28 wherein one of the plurality of indicia defines a curl impact zone, the curl impact zone being positioned such that when a ball is struck by the curl impact zone the ball has a significant tendency to move with a trajectory corresponding to a curl.
30. A kit for playing a sports game comprising a first item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 and at least one second item of sports equipment as claimed in any of claims 17 to 29.
31. A kit for playing a soccer game comprising a soccer ball as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 and at least one boot as claimed in any of claims 26 to 29.
32. A kit as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31 wherein each striking zone on the first item of sports equipment corresponds to an impact zone on the second item of sports equipment.
33. A soccer ball substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
34. A boot substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
35. A kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.