BASKETBALL SET SHOT TRAINER AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application is a utility application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/744,914, filed 14 Jan. 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present invention generally relates to the field of sports, and in particular a basketball shooting training device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]Basketball is a physically demanding and fast paced game that requires excellent eye-hand coordination and constant practice to improve a player's skillset. A basketball player develops both defensive and offensive skills that include passing, dribbling, defensive positioning, rebounding, offensive positioning, and shooting. Like most developed skills constant repetition and a consistent approach develop both mental memory to engage in an action and muscle memory to complete an action in a repeatable and consistent manner.

[0004]A basketball set shot is a two-handed shot taken from a standing position, usually from chest level, and relatively far from the basket. When taking a set shot a player's stance is slightly crouched down with knees apart with the ball held in a shooting hand while facing the basket. Shooting a set shot requires much less energy and can be quicker than a jump shot at times. Typically set shots are attempted when players are spaced out and waiting to receive a pass on a drive and kick. When taking a set shot players are able to stand still, square up, load their shot and exert less energy to take the shot, which is the benefit with a set shot. During a set shot a player's feet are usually still on the ground as the basketball is leaving their hands.

[0005]A jump shot differs from a set shot in that the release point of the basketball is usually higher and is released when the player has elevated off of the ground. The ball release is usually at the peak of the shooter's vertical path. The jump shot requires more power and energy and is typically utilized on the move or attacking the basket.

[0006]A specific type of set shot is a free throw or foul shot. A free throw is an uncontested shot that is awarded to a player when an opposing player fouls them. A free throw shot is attempted when a player stands behind a foul line positioned fifteen feet from a backboard at the end of a lane of an opposing teams' basket. During a free throw attempt a player keeps their knees slightly bent over their shoe tops with their weight on their toes, point their shooting elbow at the basket while focusing their eyes on the basket. During the actual shot attempt the player flicks their wrist to put back spin on the ball.

[0007]Regardless of the type of shot, success as a player depends on developing muscle memory as to mechanics to assure consistency and therefore accuracy. While there is general agreement that repetition is critical, the prior art devices developed to make such practice more controlled. Exemplary of these efforts is US20150328518A1; however, the complexity of the deployment and the trip hazards created by such a training device preclude any type of jumping or other foot movement associated with the shot training.

[0008]Thus, there continues to be a need for basketball shot training devices for taking set shots and providing a method for encouraging a consistent technique for taking a set shot. There further exists a need for a device that maintains a hazard-free area around a player as the device is employed.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0009]The present invention provides a method for improving a basketball shot shooting skill, such as set shots, jump shots, and free throws. The method includes providing a basketball shot training device that includes an adjustable substantially horizontal bottom bar, an adjustable substantially horizontal top bar, and a pair of opposing vertical supports to which the bottom bar and the top bar adjustably attach between, the bottom bar attached with extensions to the vertical supports. The method additionally includes adjusting the height of the bottom bar to correspond to a position between a knee and an ankle of the user when in a shooting position for a particular basketball shot; adjusting the height of the top bar to correspond to a position of a shooting wrist of the user with a shooting arm of the user in the shooting position to simulate a release point of a basketball during the shooting position for the particular basketball shot, such that the release point of the basketball is past the top bar; and the user repeatedly practicing the particular basketball shot using the basketball shot training device with the user aligned with the device to build muscle memory and a repeatable shooting technique.

[0010]According to some embodiments, the method includes providing a basketball shot training device comprising an adjustable substantially horizontal bottom bar, an adjustable substantially horizontal top bar, and a pair of opposing vertical supports to which the bottom bar and the top bar adjustably attach between, the bottom bar attached with extensions to the vertical supports; positioning the bottom bar of the basketball shot training device over and substantially parallel to a foul line on a floor within a lane on a basketball court such that the top bar is offset from the foul line away from the user and towards the basket; adjusting the height of the bottom bar to correspond to a knee position of the user when bent and in a vertical plane in line with a set of front tips of shoes worn by the user placed at the foul line; adjusting the height of the top bar to correspond to a position of a shooting wrist of the user with a shooting arm of the user extending at a 45 degree angle when the user is standing on toes to simulate a release point of a basketball during a free throw attempt, such that the release point of the basketball is past the foul line; and the user taking free throw shots using the basketball shot training device with the user aligned with the device to build muscle memory and a repeatable shooting technique.

[0011]The present invention additionally provides a basketball shot training device for improving a basketball shot shooting skill, the training device including a pair of opposing vertical supports, each having a first end and a second end; a first base and a second base each configured to be attached to the first end of each of the pair of opposing vertical supports; a substantially horizontal bottom bar configured to be adjustably attached with extensions to the vertical supports near the first end of the vertical supports; and a substantially horizontal top bar configured to be adjustably attached to the vertical support near the second end of the vertical supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]Examples illustrative of embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to figures attached hereto. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The figures are listed below.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front view of a basketball shot training device in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the basketball shot training device of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B are top and bottom views of the basketball shot training device, respectively;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the basketball shot training device of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the basketball shot training device of FIG. 1 positioned at a foul line on a basketball court in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a top view of the basketball shot training device of FIG. 1 positioned at a foul line on a basketball court in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a sketch of a player positioned behind the foul line during a free throw attempt with their knee pressed against a bottom bar that acts as a knee positioning bar in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a sketch of a player positioned behind the foul line show their wrist resting on a top bar that acts as a wrist positioning bar with release of a basketball during a shot attempt in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a sketch of a player using an embodiment of the basketball shot training device to simulate a jump shot being taken from behind a line and/or over a defender in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

[0022]FIG. 10 illustrates a magnified and exploded portion of a breakaway top operative in the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023]The present invention has utility as a device and method for improving basketball shooting skills. With use of embodiments of the inventive basketball shot training device, a person learns a repeatable stance and shooting motion that dramatically increases the accuracy of a basketball offensive shot. Certain inventive embodiments of the device and method for use thereof may be used for training proper technique for taking set shots that are uncontested, where a player is stationary and in a defined position on a basketball court. Some inventive embodiments of the device encourage and guide a player to properly position their legs, arm extension, and wrist motion when taking a shot. In still other inventive embodiments of the basketball shot training device may also be used to simulate a defender when taking a jump shot at a predefined distance from a basket, such as the three-point line on a basketball court.

[0024]Some inventive embodiments of the basketball shooting training device have vertical supports that suspend a bottom bar that encourages proper leg placement and a top bar that promotes proper arm extension and wrist action when taking and releasing a shot. The bottom bar is offset from the vertical supports and extends outwards towards the legs of the player, while the top bar is within the vertical plain of the vertical supports. The bottom and top bars are both adjustable along the length of the vertical supports to accommodate players of varying heights The vertical supports may be formed as concentric telescoping segments that retract for compact storage and shipment. The vertical supports are each held upright by a base. The base may be formed with three or more perpendicular segments or feet fanning out from the bottom of each of the vertical supports as shown in FIGS. 1-6. The fanned out segments may be detached from the vertical supports for compact storage and shipment. The base holding each of the vertical supports may be formed with a single perpendicular segment as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. Embodiments of the basketball shooting training device may be made of metal components, wood, plastics, composite materials, or a combination thereof. In some inventive embodiments, the horizontal portions that are proximal to a user include a breakaway joint to preclude injury. A breakaway is readily formed by joining two portions with a half-lap joint interconnects with magnets or hook and loop fasteners.

[0025]Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1-4 an inventive basketball shot training device 10 has a set of vertical supports (12, 14) formed of segments 28 that may be concentric and telescoping to adjust for height based on user requirements. The segments 28 may be selectively locked in place with securements 16, or the segments 28 may snap into place. The vertical supports (12, 14) suspend a bottom bar 22 that encourages proper leg placement and a top bar 24 that promotes proper arm extension and wrist action when taking and releasing a shot. The bottom bar 22 is offset from the vertical supports (12, 14) and extends outward with extensions 26 towards the legs of the player, while the top bar 24 is within the vertical plain of the vertical supports (12, 14). The bottom bar 22 and top bar 24 are both adjustable along the length of the vertical supports (12, 14) to accommodate players of varying heights. Each of the vertical supports (12, 14) are held upright by a base 18. While the base 18 is depicted as formed with three or more perpendicular feet 20 fanning out from the bottom of the base 18, it is appreciated that other conventional base types are operative herein and illustratively include a tripod, and scissors opening feet that create two or four floor contact points per vertical support (12,14). In some inventive embodiments, detachable obstacles 27 are added to the top bar 24. The obstacles shown in FIG. 1 resemble the hands of an opposing player to better simulate game distractions. Still other distractions operative herein include a light 29 or a speaker 31. These are not shown in FIGS. 2-4 for visual clarity.

[0026]In a specific embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 the vertical supports (12, 14) are each held upright by a single perpendicular member 30. In some inventive embodiments a weight (not shown) rests on one or more of the three or more perpendicular feet 20

[0027]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the basketball shot training device 10 positioned at a foul line FL on a basketball court C. In this instance the device 10 is being used to improve a player's free throw shot, and the bottom bar 22 is positioned over and parallel to the foul line FL with the top bar 24 displaced from the foul line FL in the vertical plain by the extensions 26.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a sketch of a player positioned behind the foul line FL during a free throw attempt with their knee pressed against the bottom bar 22. When taking a free throw shot, a player has to stand behind the foul line, and in general the player aligns the front tips of their sneakers with the foul line FL. The player bends their knees slightly over their sneakers, while their arms extend away from their body as shown in FIG. 8.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a sketch of a player positioned behind the foul line FL showing their wrist resting on the top bar 24 that acts as a wrist positioning bar with release of a basketball during a shot attempt.

[0030]It is appreciated that the bottom bar 22 and top bar 24 provide proper positioning and travel limits for leg and arm movements during a shot attempt so as to provide muscle memory and a consistent set of motion during a shot attempt.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a sketch of a player using an embodiment of the basketball shot training device 10 to simulate a jump shot being taken from behind a line and/or over a defender.

[0032]FIG. 10 depicts a modified top bar 24′ that includes a half lap 32A, 32B on each of first portion 34A and 34B of the top bar 24′. The opposing faces of the half laps 32A, 32B are overlaid with a selectively separable fixture 36A and 36B. The separable fixture includes hook and loop fastener or a ferromagnet-iron strip. While FIG. 10 depicts a top bar, it is appreciated that the breakaway portion is readily applied to a bottom bar 22, as well.

[0038]A method for improvement of set shots and jump shots from perimeter positions including the three point line involves positioning the basketball shot training device at the shot location following adjustment of the bottom and top bars for the intended user.

[0039]In some inventive embodiments, a user is provided with instructional videos that provide the user with education content as to proper practice motion and set up of the basketball shot training device 10.

Other Embodiments

[0040]In specific embodiments the base may be weighed, such as with metal weights, water filled weights, sand bags, (not shown).

[0041]Padding may be added to the basketball shot training device 10 with for example hook and loop attached padding.

[0042]Distractions may be added to simulate crowd noise or opposition players. For example, a holder may be provided for an electronic device such as a cell phone to provide distracting audio.

[0043]For contested shots, raised hands mounted on springs may be positioned on the top bar to simulate an opposing player attempting to block a shot

[0044]A countdown timer or game clock to provide timing and a sense of urgency

[0045]While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the described embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.