TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to sporting equipment and, more particularly although not exclusively, to equipment adapted to optimise interaction between an attacker and a defending player.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In numerous sporting games, it is an object during play of the game to gain possession of the ball (or puck). In contact sports particularly, gaining possession of the ball involves physically tackling the current ball carrier. In games such as rugby, it is an object of the tackle to bring the ball carrier down to force a change of possession of the ball, while it is the object of the ball earner to elude the tackle.

[0003] Typically, a tackling manoeuvre, requires a judgment by both the defender and the ball earner of the distance and the line between defender and the ball carrier, but this line is not clearly discernible, as either or both defender and ball earner may be in motion.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes

[0005] The term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of’.

[0006] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided an interaction training system for ball sports; the system comprising a representative line of sight established between respective reference points on the persons of each of a defender and a ball possessor or earner; a line between the reference points indicative of a trajectory between the defender and the ball possessor or earner in a defensive manoeuvre. [0008] Preferably, the line comprises an extendable and retractable cable linking the reference points.

[0009] Preferably, the reference points are point on respective belts worn about the waists of the defender and the ball possessor or carrier.

[00010] Preferably, the cable is extendable from, and retractable onto, a spring-loaded reel.

[00011] Preferably, the spring-loaded reel is retained in a reel housing; the housing attached to the defender at the defender’s reference point.

[00012] Preferably, the housing of the spring-loaded reel is releasably attached to an attachment fitting on the belt of the defender.

[00013] Preferably, a distal end of the cable is releasably attached to an attachment fitting on the belt of the ball possessor or earner by a clip at the distal end of the cable.

[00014] Preferably, the reel housing is provided with one or more data collecting sensors, a power source and a memory module.

[00015] Preferably, data collected includes rate of cable retraction or extension relative the housing.

[00016] Preferably, data collected includes initial and final separation between the defender and the ball possessor or earner.

[00017] Preferably, the data collected includes the time duration of movement of the cable relative the housing for a defensive manoeuvre.

[00018] Preferably, the data collected is downloadable from the memory module in the reel housing to a digital device.

[00019] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of optimising an interaction manoeuvre between a defender and a ball possessor or earner in a ball game; the method including the steps of: fitting each of the tackler and the ball possessor or carrier with a waist belt provided with an attachment fitting;

- attaching to the attachment fitting on the belt of the defender a housing containing a spring- loaded reel and cable assembly; drawing from the reel a cable provided at its distal end with a clip; attaching the clip to the attachment fitting on the belt of the ball possessor or carrier so as to establish a visible reference line between the defender and the ball possessor or carrier defined by the cable.

[00020] Preferably, the defender moves towards the ball possessor or carrier in a trajectory defined by the visible line between defender and ball possessor or carrier. [00021] Preferably, the cable extends from or is retracted into the reel housing in conformance with the distance between defender and ball possessor or carrier during the defensive manoeuvre. [00022] Preferably, sensors within the housing of the spring-loaded reel and cable assembly collects data during a defensive manoeuvre.

[00023] Preferably, the data collected includes any one or all of rate of cable extension or retraction; initial and final separation between the defender and ball possessor or earner; duration of movement of the cable during a defensive manoeuvre.

[00024] In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a kit of a training aid for optimising interaction manoeuvres in ball sports between a defender and a ball possessor or carrier; the kit including one belt each for the defender and the ball possessor or earner; the kit further including a housing fitted with a spring-loaded reel and cable assembly; the cable when in use extending between the defender and the ball possessor or carrier to define a trajectory in a defensive manoeuvre.

[00025] Preferably, each of the belts of the defender and the ball possessor or carrier is provided with an attachment fitting.

[00026] Preferably, the housing is adapted for releasable attachment to the attachment fitting of the belt of the defender.

[00027] Preferably, a clip at a distal end of the cable of the spring-loaded reel and cable assembly is adapted for releasable attachment to the attachment fitting of the belt of the ball possessor or earner.

[00028] Preferably, the kit further includes a data cable for downloading data collected by sensors within the housing of the spring-loaded reel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00030] Figure 1 is a view of components comprising the tackling aid according to a preferred form of the invention;

[00031] Figure 2 is an illustration of a defender and a ball possessor or carrier in a tackling manoeuvre. [00032] Figure 3 are plan and side views of components of the player interaction aid according to a third embodiment

[00033] Figure 4 is a perspective view of components of the cable housing according to a third embodiment,

[00034] Figure 5 is a block schematic diagram of monitoring and communication components suitable for use with any of the previously described embodiments

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Preferred Embodiment

[00035] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention and with reference to figure 1, a interaction training aid 10 comprises of a number of interacting components; a defender’s belt 12, a ball possessor or earner’s belt 14, and a spring-loaded reel 16 and cable 18 assembly 20 which is rotationally mounted in a housing 22. The spring-loaded reel provides for the extension and retraction of the cable 18 under tension.

[00036] As illustrated in figure 2 each of the belts is adapted for releasably fitting about the waist of, respectively, a defender 24 and a ball carrier 26 with both the defender and the ball carrier 26 being participants in a tackling interaction training exercise. Each of the belts 12, 14 is provided with an attachment fitting 28, 30.

[00037] A fitting 32 on the housing 22 of the spring-loaded reel and cable assembly 20, is provided to clip the housing to the attachment fitting 28 of the defender’s belt 12, with a clip 34 at a distal end of the cable 18 adapted for releasable attachment to the attachment fitting 30 of the ball earner’s belt.

[00038] Generally, the belt 14 is worn by the ball carrier 26 with the attachment fitting 30 central to the body, but may be biased toward the left or right hip depending on the stance of the ball carrier relative to the defender at the start of an interaction manoeuvre.

[00039] At the start of an interaction manoeuvre, with the defender 24 fitted with belt 12 and the housing 22 with its spring-loaded reel clipped to the belt 12, and with the ball earner fitted with the carrier’s belt 14, sufficient cable is drawn from the housing to span the distance separating the trainee defender 24 and the trainee ball carrier 26 with the clip 34 at the end of the cable 18 attached to the ball earner’s belt.

[00040] In this initial position, the cable (drawn tight by the spring-loaded reel) provides a visual definition of the shortest distance between defender and ball carrier, and the trajectory to be followed by the defender when moving to defend the ball carrier. At the same time, it provides for the ball carrier a visual definition of the initial trajectory along which the tackle is likely to proceed.

Second Preferred Embodiment

[00041] In this second embodiment, the basic components of the system remain the same. That is, the equipment again includes a belt 12, 14 for each of the defender 24 and the ball carrier 26 and an assembly 20 of a reel with cable rotationally mounted within a housing which may be clipped to an attachment fitting 28 on the belt 12 worm by the defender 24.

[00042] In this embodiment however, the housing 22 of the reel and cable is provided with a power source, a memory module and one or more sensing devices which monitor the defensive interaction. Thus, sensors may monitor and record parameters of a defensive manoeuvre including the initial distance separating the defender and ball possessor or earner, and the rate of cable retraction and/or extension relative the housing. In addition, sensor/s could record the time duration of cable movement of a defensive manoeuvre. Preferably, the data collected by the sensors and stored in the memory module of the housing, is downloadable to a digital device for analysis.

Third Preferred Embodiment

[00043] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate components in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Components of the system can include either the memory component of the second embodiment or the components of the monitoring and communication system described with reference to figure 5. Like components are numbered as for the first embodiment except in the 100 series.

[00044] Figures 3 A,B,C,D are plan and side views of components of the player interaction aid according to a third embodiment.

[00045] Figure 3A discloses details of a defender’s belt 112. In this instance the belt may include a labelling component 250 which may house a memory component of the type described in the second embodiment. Alternatively it may house and on belt sensor 251 which provides comprehensive data sensing and transmission capability.

[00046] Figure 3B is a side view of the belt of figure 3 A.

[00047] Figure 3C discloses details of a earner’s belt 114. In this instance the belt may include a labelling component 250 which may house a memory component of the type described in the second embodiment. Alternatively it may house and on belt sensor 251 which provides comprehensive data sensing and transmission capability. [00048] Figure 3D illustrates the ends of the belt in connected condition, typically encircling the waist of a defender or earner.

[00049] Figure 4 is a perspective view of components of the cable housing according to a third embodiment.

[00050] In this instance the cable housing 122 encloses cable 123 wrapped around tensioner 124. The tensioner 124 is anchored on a central spindle 125.

Monitoring and Communication System

[00051] Figure 5 is a block schematic diagram of monitoring and communication components suitable for use with any of the previously described embodiments.

[00052] In this instance the on belt sensor 251 comprises a processor 260 communication with a GPS unit 261, a memory 262, accelerometer 263 and a transmitter receiver unit 264. Typically these units are encapsulated together so as to be mechanically incorporated into a belt or the retractor unit.

[00053] In use code stored in memory 262 when executed by processor 260 receives data from GPS unit 261 and accelerometer 263 during use of the player interactive aid in the manner previously described. The data thus acquired may be transmitted to smart phone 270. The transmission to the smart phone is either direct via a Wi-Fi local connection or may be via the Internet 280.

[00054] The data may be stored in the cloud in database 294 retrieval and processing via smart phone 270 or like digital processing device.

[00055] This arrangement pennits the user to digitally track, collect, store and compare training data.

[00056] Multiple users may be tracked per device. In a preferred form that data is collected as players interact as attached pairs.

[00057] Each tracker and individual can be given a unique ID. The IDs and the data associated with them may be stored for later retrieval and comparison.

[00058] Typical parameters recorded by the data acquisition include velocity: speed of approach and speed retreat from contact; divide the distance by time; velocity thus calculating and giving the player an accurate reading of this deed of approach to tackle.

[00059] Unit of data including distance travelled to track and hit and return in a session may be provided. [00060] Condition angle to target and angle of all earner interactions may be stored. All data may be displayed for example on the smart phone 270.

[00061] The data may further be transferred to third-party applications for further storage and interpretation.

Industrial Application

[00062] The present invention is intended to sharpen the response of reaction in both an intending defender and the defensive target, that is, the current possessor or earner of a ball in a ball game. Such defensive manoeuvres are particularly important in the various contact sport codes of rugby but may equally be applied to sports such as basketball or netball where, although no physical tackling is involved, the system of the invention may aid in the improvement of blocking/defensive movements.

[00063] In each of the above embodiments, the equipment of the interaction aid of the invention may be provided in kit form, comprising in each kit, the two belts, one for each of the two participants, and the housing with reel and cable. For the embodiment in which the housing is fitted with sensors, additionally the kit may include a data cable.