A fundamental requirement for sportsmen and women to be successful is that they achieve a high level of skill in their chosen sport. For ball sports this means that they must be able to deliver a ball to the intended target.

Furthermore, the ability to control a ball is also essential.

Indeed, for many people their favourite sporting memory is of an accurate shot or outstanding piece of skill.

However, despite youth being accepted as the optimum period for acquiring such skills many young sportsmen, for example those under 12, are playing competitively and in these circumstances a"win-at-all-costs"mentality can evolve stifling the development of natural skills. This situation is particularly true of football, although measures to change this situation have been taken.

Increasingly, therefore, the coaching of youth football is being directed to avoid competitive matches and, accordingly, is being directed at re-introducing an element of enjoyment to football training.

Furthermore the influx of foreign players into British football has provided further evidence of a perceived lack of young talent being developed.

There is, however, a dearth of training aids which can provide a system for improving general ball skills and fitness levels and at the same time be highly enjoyable, one of the few examples comprises the use of a football on a string.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sports training aid for use in improving general ball skills and fitness levels.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sports training aid that can be used both indoors and outdoors, that is readily portable and is also easy to manufacture.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports training aid comprising one or more targets, sensing means for detecting the impact of a ball or other object on the targets and output means for providing feedback information relating to a player's performance.

Preferably the targets are mounted on a supporting structure. Typically, said supporting structure is a board.

Preferably the board is provided with a flexible, shock absorbing material to prevent the board from being dislodged during use which can be used to adjust the speed that the ball is returned to a user.

Typically, the board is further provided with supporting means.

The size of the board is not limited but typically has dimensions of 1m by 1m. The board can also be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made of a plastic material.

The number of targets on the board is not limited but is nominally six.

The dimensions of the targets are not limited, but typically are the size and shape of a standard football.

Preferably the targets are provided with a means for illumination, typically, said means is a liquid crystalline material.

Optionally, the targets may be provided with an individual indicator. Typically, these indicators are letters, for example A, B, C etc.

Preferably the output means is a scoring monitor that can calculate an efficiency rating based on the time taken and the strike rate, accuracy ratings based on the number of hits and misses and a fitness rating based on the number of hits and misses achieved over a period of time.

Preferably the output means is provided with a memory bank to store previous scores.

Preferably the scoring monitor is programmed to produce a random sequence of targets to be hit.

The board and scoring monitor may be powered from a mains supply or by a small battery.

Optionally, the training aid can be adapted to be used for any sport.

In an alternative embodiment the target board may be provided with airbags which communicate with a scoring unit via relay pipes.

Typically a successful hit results in the expulsion of air from an airbag through a relay pipe registering on the scoring unit.

The scoring unit is provided with an indicator for the number of hits and an indicator for the next target in the sequence.

Optionally the pipes are connected in a pre-determined sequence although the sequence may be altered by changing the connection of the pipes to the scoring unit.

Typically the training aid is provided with four targets.

In a further embodiment the training aid is provided with a visual display unit and a series of targets, the visual display unit, typically, being located in the centre of the training aid and surrounded by the series of targets.

In a preferred embodiment the visual display unit is surrounded by eight targets.

The visual display unit is characteristically provided with a program requiring an illuminated target to be hit to control the movement of an object, for example a car being driven or a football being passed between players.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports training aid comprising a target board, wherein the target board is provided with a cross frame and a support frame, each of the support frame and cross frame are provided with magnetic assemblies.

Typically the target board is attached to the support frame via a hinge.

Preferably the magnetic assembly of the support frame is aligned with the magnetic assembly of the cross frame.

Typically permanent magnets or electromagnets may be used in the assemblies.

In normal use the magnetic assemblies are driven apart as a result of a successful hit of the target board. As the assemblies and the target board return to their original positions velocity is imparted to the football. The velocity imparted to the football may be varied by altering the strength of the magnets.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for using a sports training aid comprising the steps of:

a) selecting the desired number of targets; b) striking the illuminated target with a football; c) striking next selected target; and d) repeating cycle until the correct number of targets has been struck.

Preferably the targets are selected randomly.

Preferably the programme can be altered to reflect different skill levels.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports training aid comprising a target board attached via hinges to four side guards with ground support legs.

Typically the target board is divided into a number of squares, with each square having an integral sensor. The number of squares is not limited, but is typically six.

Optionally the training aid can be adapted so that each square on the target board carries the image of a famous footballer and that corresponding images appear on the monitor.

Typically a scoring monitor can be fitted to each side of the target board allowing two players to compete directly against each other.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports training aid comprising a number of rollers, mounted on a supporting framework, which are driven in series by a motor with variable speed and direction.

In normal use the rollers can be arranged longitudinally or vertically in series.

Typically the rollers are fitted with electronic type shock sensors which transmit performance data to a recorder.

In normal use velocity is imparted to the ball upon hitting the rollers. Altering the diameter, shape, speed or direction of the rollers may vary the speed and direction the ball is returned to the user.

In order to provide a better understanding of the invention, embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates a face view of a sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figures 6a and 6b illustrate a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figures 8a-d illustrate the components of a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 illustrates a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 10 a-c illustrate aspects of a further alternative sports training aid in accordance with the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a sports training aid is generally depicted at 1 comprising a board 2, targets 3 and a scoring monitor 4. The targets 3 are provided with sensors 5 and illuminating means 6. Each of the targets 3 has its own identity marker 7, for example a letter.

The scoring monitor 4 is connected to the board 2 via supports 8. The scoring monitor is powered by a small battery or mains adapter (not shown). A scoring system is included as part of the scoring monitor 4. The

training aid 1 is also provided with a supporting means (not shown).

In Figure 2 an alternative training aid is illustrated at 9. The training aid 9 is in the shape of a set of goals and may be adapted for use indoors.

In Figure 3 an alternative training aid is illustrated at 10 comprising two of the boards 2 illustrated in Figure 1.

In Figure 4 an alternative arrangement of the training aid 10 of Figure 3 is illustrated at 11.

In Figure 5 an alternative training aid is illustrated at 12 comprising the use of a plurality of training aids 1 arranged in a hexagonal shape. The boards can be positioned such that the player can be either inside or outside the hexagon during use.

The sports training aid 1 of Figure 1 can be used in the following way. The training session is started by selecting a pre-determined number of targets, for example 24. The scoring monitor 4 selects at random one of the targets 3 which is then illuminated by the illuminating means 6. The player kicks the ball at the indicated target 3. When the target 3 has been accurately hit, the sensor 5 registers the hit and the target 3 ceases to be illuminated. The scoring monitor 4 records the strike and the time taken. The next random target is then selected and the process is repeated until the cycle of 24 targets is completed.

The targets 3 are illuminated for a pre-determined period, for example 5 seconds, after which time the scoring monitor 4 terminates the illumination of the target 3, this is recorded as a miss by the scoring system.

Once the game has been completed, the scoring monitor 4 indicates the score as a percentage. This total is a combination of the number of targets hit combined with the time taken.

An example of the scoring system is given as follows: 16 targets 24 + time taken 32 seconds from time allowed 48 seconds = 75% The addition of the time element prevents the game being beaten, that is no player will achieve a 100% efficiency rating. However, on improvement in skill and accuracy a corresponding improvement in efficiency rating should occur.

The software used to control the scoring monitor 4 can be altered to suit the standard of the user, from novice to professional.

The training aid 9 illustrated in Figure 2 is in the shape of a set of small goals and could be used both indoors and outdoors.

An alternative training aid 10, which uses two of the board of Figure 1, is illustrated in Figure 3. The use

of a double board increases the requirement for accuracy and ball control to maintain a high efficiency rating.

An alternative arrangement of the double board training aid 10 of Figure 3 is illustrated at 11 in Figure 4. The boards 2 are placed at a distance of approximately 2 metres apart. The player now has to rotate 180° to hit alternate targets. Accordingly, the player is required to develop the ability to search for the next target while at the same time controlling a ball and turning 180°. This requires a yet higher level of control and accuracy to maintain a high efficiency rating.

The training aid 12 illustrated in Figure 5 is most suited for use by amateur or professional players who require the highest levels of skill, fitness and agility.

The training aid 12 as illustrated in Figure 5 comprises six boards in a hexagonal shape. The number of boards that may be used is not limited, for example seven boards could be used to form a heptagon or eight boards could be used to form an octagon.

Training aid 12 can be used for a player who is both on the inside and outside of the hexagon. The location of the player will determine which skills are to be improved. The player on the inside will concentrate on agility, alertness and accuracy while the player on the outside will concentrate on fitness, accuracy and running with the ball.

In Figures 6a and 6b a yet further sports training aid is depicted at 13 comprising sensor pads 14 mounted on a support structure 15, a visual display unit 16 and a

protective screen 17. The sensor pads 14 are marked with arrows 18.

The visual display unit 16 features a series of players, one of whom is in possession of a football and is illuminated to distinguish him from the others. An arrow indicates the next pass the player in possession is required to make. The arrow on the visual display unit 16 corresponds with one of the arrows 18 on the sensor pads 14. Accordingly, when a user hits the correct arrow 18 on the sensor pad 14 a new target is illuminated and the training continues.

An alternative embodiment to the training aid 13 of Figures 6a and 6b is depicted at 19 in Figure 6c. In the training aid 19 of Figure 6c the image of the footballers on the visual display unit is replaced by the image of a car on a circuit. The car is guided round the circuit by hitting the illuminated targets. For example, the car can be guided past another car as a result of striking a sequence of targets.

In Figures 7a and 7b an alternative sports training aid is depicted at 20 comprising a target board 21, a support frame 22, a cross frame 23 and a hinge 24. The support frame 22 and cross frame 23 are provided with magnetic assemblies 25 and 26. The cross frame 23 is located to the rear of the target board 21.

When the target board 21 is hit by a ball, the target board 21 strikes the support frame 22, this in turn forces the magnetic assemblies 25 and 26 apart. The application of an electric current or the use of the poles of permanent magnets causes the return of the

target board to its original position injecting velocity to the ball. The velocity injected by the ball can be varied by altering the polarity of the magnets, thus introducing an element of uncertainty to the training aid 20.

In Figure 8a an alternative sports training aid is depicted at 27 comprising a series of targets 28A-D connected to a scoring unit 29 via relay piping 30. The targets 28A-D are provided with a support structure (not shown). The scoring unit 29 is positioned between the central targets 28B and 28C.

The targets 28A-D are further provided with air filled cushions 31 which are themselves connected to the relay pipe 30.

The relay pipes 30 are connected to a rotor 32, as shown in Figures 8b and 8c, which causes both a scoring display 33 and a sensor indicator 34 to rotate after a successful "hit"has been made.

The rotor 32 is provided with a groove 35 and exhaust ports 36, the groove being positioned such that it becomes aligned with one of the relay pipes 30 on each quarter rotation of the rotor 32. Accordingly, the rotor 32 is connected to the relay pipes 30 in such a way that only a hit of the indicated target will result in a successful hit being registered.

The scoring unit 29 is further provided with a ball and spring assembly 37. This assembly 37, shown in Figure 8d, comprises a tension screw 38, a spring 39 and a steel ball 40. The steel ball 40 connects with grooves 41 of a

centre axle 42 of the rotor 32 (not shown). The spring assembly 37 allows for the accurate indication of the score of a user by prevention of over-rotation of the rotor 32. The tension screw 38 can be adjusted to ensure that the assembly 37 functions in the desired fashion.

The training aid 27 is used in the following way. The target 28 to be hit is indicated on the score unit 29, for example target A. When the indicated target is hit the airbag of the target is compressed forcing air down the corresponding relay pipe 30 and into the groove 35 of the rotor 30. The rotor 30 then turns to indicate both the next target to be hit and the total of successful hits. Rotation of the rotor 30 beyond the desired position is prevented by the presence of the ball and spring assembly 36. The training aid can be used accordingly until the desired number targets have been hit or until a pre-determined time period has elapsed.

The training aid 27 is reset by hand.

The set up of the training aid can be altered by changing the linkage of the relay pipes 30 such that the sequence of targets to be hit is altered.

In an alternative embodiment of the training aid of Figures 8a-d the targets are linked to the relay piping via a plug and socket assembly. The targets are further provided with hinges and return springs to return the targets to their original positions.

In figure 9 an alternative sports training aid is depicted at 50 comprising a target board 51 attached via hinges 52 to four side guards 53 with ground support legs 54. A scoring monitor 55 can be fitted to one or both

sides of the target board to allow two players to play directly against each other. The central target board is divided into a number of squares 56, typically 9, with integral sensors.

What a ball hits a square 56 on the target board 51 the corresponding square will register on the scoring monitor 55. The training aid can be used accordingly until all the squares have been hit. The scoring monitor 55 will display the time taken to complete the task.

In an alternative embodiment to the training aid of Figure 9 a visual display unit, featuring the image of a well known footballer, is fitted to each square on the target board. Corresponding images will appear on the monitor. The player is required to strike the square which carries the image shown on the monitor.

In a further embodiment to the training aid of Figure 9 the training aid is characteristically provided with a programme which allows two players to compete directly against each other in a game of noughts and crosses. when a ball hits a square on the target board a strike symbol will appear on both scoring monitors. The training aid can be used accordingly until one player reaches a pre-determined number of points.

The boards could also be attached to a printer to provide a readout of a player's performance and allow further planning of the training schedule.

Furthermore, the boards could be provided with sound effects to engender a realistic atmosphere, for example crowd noises.

In Figures 10 a-c an alternative sports training aid is depicted at 60 comprising a series of rollers 61 attached to a framework 62. For example 3 rollers 61 could be used as shown in Figure 10a. The rollers 61 are driven in series by a motor 63 with variable speed and direction. The rollers 61 are fitted with electronic type shock sensors which transmit data to a data recorder (not shown).

When a ball hits a roller velocity is injected to the ball. This velocity can be varied by altering the diameter, shape, speed and rotational direction of the rollers, thus introducing an element of uncertainty to the training aid as shown in Figs. 10b and 10c.

An alternative embodiment provides for the training aid to be attached to a headset through which audio messages selecting the next target could be transmitted from the control monitor to the user.

A further embodiment provides for the training aid to be provided with bar coded wrist straps allowing for several players to be compared at the same time. This arrangement could also be used to facilitate data recording.

An advantage of the present invention is that the target board can be used to improve both fitness and skill levels.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the boards are readily portable and can be easily transported between locations and stored after use.

A yet further advantage of the board is that it can be used without the need for supervision.

The use of the board can also be tailored to meet an individual's needs and address their weaknesses.

An alternative embodiment provides for the double boards to be set up in series allowing for several players to be compared at the same time. This arrangement could be also be used for dribbling skills.

Further example embodiments provide for the boards to be adapted for other sports. For example the boards could be used racquet sports such as squash or tennis.

The boards could also be used for batting and fielding practice for cricket. The boards could be linked to a bowling machine to encourage batsmen to play specific strokes to different deliveries.

Similarly, adaptations for use as a golf and rugby trainer are also possible.

The boards could be used for any sport where accuracy is one of the keys to success.

The boards could also be programmed to provide sequences of targets to be hit such that the player has to hit a number of targets in one sequence before a new sequence is commenced.

A further embodiment provides for a plurality of boards to be linked in series and each provided with a signal

light. Accordingly, a sequence of boards can be hit, with the ball being returned to the player between hits.

The also helps to improve passing skills.

A yet further embodiment provides for the target area of the board to represent a set of goals. The board could accordingly be used for penalty or shooting training.

Further modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.