WO2002024283A2

WO2002024283A2 - A ball

Info

Publication number: WO2002024283A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/001712
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tjaart Coetzee
Original assignee: Tjaart Coetzee
Priority date: 2000-09-21
Filing date: 2001-09-19
Publication date: 2002-03-28
Also published as: AU2001287962A1; WO2002024283A3; ZA200106749B

Abstract

According to the invention, there is provided a non-spherical ball (10) which includes markings on the surface of the ball (12, 14, 16) for facilitating manoeuvring it. The markings may be in the form of hand or finger markings (12) for indicating correct hand or finger placement for executing a particular handling manoeuvre, or may include strike location markings (14), for indicating where the ball should be struck by a player when kicking the ball. There is also provided a coaching kit, which includes a non-spherical ball having markings for facilitating ball handling and/or kicking technique; and an accompanying guide for instructing a player on how to execute ball handling manoeuvres using the depicted handling markings on the ball. The invention also relates to a method of coaching ball handling skills, the method including providing a ball with markings; and instructing players to execute various ball manoeuvering techniques using the markings as a guide.

Description

A BALL

THIS INVENTION relates to a ball. More particularly this invention relates to a ball used for playing sport. This invention also relates to a coaching kit, and to a method of coaching ball manoeuvering skills.

Balls are often used for playing sports and games, and in some of these games and sports ball handling skills are an integral part of the sport or game. Generally, these ball handling skills are acquired through formal coaching and training. However, effective coaching and training is not readily available to all players.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means which the Inventor believes will at least partially alleviate this problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-spherical ball which includes markings for facilitating manoeuvering it.

For the purpose of this specification, the term "non-spherical ball" is intended to be construed broadly to include all non-spherical or oval balls which are used for playing sports, where the ball is handled by the players, for example, balls for playing rugby and American-football. The markings will typically be depicted on the surface of the ball.

The markings may include handling markings. The handling markings may be in the form of hand or finger markings for indicating correct hand or finger placement for executing a particular handling manoeuvre.

The markings may include strike location markings, for indicating where the ball should be struck by a player. Typically, the strike location markings may indicate where the ball should be kicked.

Naturally the ball may include both handling and strike location markings.

The ball may include a plurality of sets of markings for indicating different types of techniques or manoeuvres which may be performed during the playing of the sport or game. Typically the different sets of markings may be indicated in different colors.

The ball may further include other explanatory indicia, signs or markings for describing handling technique.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a coaching kit, which includes a non-spherical ball having markings for facilitating ball handling and/or kicking technique; and an accompanying guide for instructing a player on how to execute ball handling manoeuvres using the depicted handling markings on the ball.

The kit may include a plurality of balls each having at least one set of handling markings depicting different manoeuvres or techniques.

The or each ball may be a ball of the type described above.

Accordingly the invention also relates to a method of coaching ball handling skills, the method including providing a ball with markings; and instructing players to execute various ball manoeuvering techniques using the markings as a guide.

The method may include using the markings to instruct players on correct strike and/or handling technique.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of two halves of a non-spherical ball in accordance with the invention positioned side- by-side; and

Figure 2 shows a diagram similar to Figure 1 of another example of a non-spherical ball in accordance with the invention. Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a side-by-side projection of opposed halves of a non-spherical ball in accordance with the invention. The non-spherical ball 10, depicted in these embodiments of the invention, is a rugby ball, and this description accordingly relates in particular to rugby. The ball 10 includes markings, depicted on the surface of the ball. The markings include handling markings in the form of hand and/or finger markings 12, as well as strike location markings 14 (as shown in Figure 2). The ball 10 may also include other indicia, signs or the like, and in these embodiments, characters 16 are depicted on the surface of the ball 10.

The hand and finger markings 12, together with the strike location markings 14 and the characters 16 indicate the correct placement of the hands on the ball and correct strike location for executing particular rugby manoeuvres. In the examples depicted in the drawings, the characters 16 indicate where the right and left hands should be placed on the ball ("R" indicating the correct placement of the right hand and " " indicating the correct placement of the left hand), as well as the impact zone "H" for striking the ball (as shown in Figure 2).

The hand and finger markings 12 and the strike location markings 14, are typically printed on the surface of the ball, but may be represented on the surface of the ball 10 in any number of ways. The ball may also be manufactured in a similar fashion and using similar construction techniques and materials as regular rugby balls. The ball may also be made of a suitable plastics material, in order to reduce costs. The hand and finger markings 12 and the strike location markings 14 are normally depicted in colour, to aid ease of use. Furthermore, it is possible to depict a number of different techniques on the same ball 10, using different types of markings or markings of different colors. Practically, each ball 10 will only be capable of accommodating a limited number of handling positions, in order to avoid cluttering the ball 10. Thus, the ball 10 may be supplied as part of a coaching kit, which will include a number of different balls 10 each for indicating a set of different techniques or manoeuvres.

The coaching kit may also includes an instruction guide which indicates how each technique should be performed. The guide normally also includes sketches or drawings which graphically explain each of the techniques represented on the ball 10. The guide may further include other information relevant to the sport, for example, the rules of the game or exercise and training suggestions.

The ball 10 may also include other indicia or signs which aid in the demonstration and execution of ball manoeuvering technique.

The ball shown in Figure 1 , includes handling markings which demonstrate a "right handed spin-pass", and, in use, a player would place his or her right hand over the hand marking 12 containing the "R" character 16, and his or her left hand over the hand marking 12 containing the "L" character 16. The player then passes the ball to his or her right, while pulling the right hand towards the body and moving the left hand away form the body, thereby causing the ball 10 to spin. The ball depicted in Figure 2 is used to demonstrate the correct position for executing a "right-footed torpedo kick". To execute this manoeuvre, a player places his or her right and left hands over the indicated hand markings 12 as described above. The ball is then held pointing forward with the nose of the ball pointing downwards at an angle of approximately 30°, the rugby ball 10 is then dropped over the right kicking foot, such that the kicking foot impacts the ball within the strike zone 14. The ball should be dropped in such a way so as to ensure that the ball strikes the foot in the area above the toes, and the kick should be followed through.

Many additional manoeuvering techniques could also be demonstrated using the ball 10, by providing alternate hand and finger markings 12 and/or strike location markings 14. For example, a left footed torpedo kick, right and left footed drop kicks, the right and left footed up and under, right and left footed kicks to the line from either side of the field, passes to the left and right hand side of the field, scrum-half dive passes, scrum-half standing passes, line out throw-ins, spin passing, picking up the ball, reverse passes, flip passes and penalty and place kicks, could all be demonstrated using the ball 10. Furthermore, a full compliment of techniques relating to other similar sports could be demonstrated using the ball 10, in a similar fashion.

The Inventor believes that the invention as illustrated provides a relatively simple coaching aid for teaching players of all levels ball handling skills. The ball 10 provides a number of sets of hand and finger markings 12, as well as strike location markings 14, which enable players to learn the correct placement of the hands and correct impact locations, for executing various techniques or manoeuvres. The Inventor believes that this enables players who do not have access to expert training or coaching to acquire effective ball handling skills. The Inventor believes that the ball 10 will find application in the training of younger players, especially in school environments.

Claims

1 . A non-spherical ball which includes markings for facilitating manoeuvering it.

2. A ball as claimed in claim 1 , on which the markings are depicted on the surface of the ball.

3. A ball as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the markings include handling markings.

4. A ball as claimed in claim 3, on which the handling markings are in the form of hand or finger markings for indicating correct hand or finger placement for executing a particular handling manoeuvre.

5. A ball as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the markings include strike location markings, for indicating where the ball should be struck by a player.

6. A ball as claimed in claim 5, on which the strike location markings indicate where the ball should be kicked.

7. A ball as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes a plurality of sets of markings for indicating different types of techniques or manoeuvres which may be performed during the playing of the sport or game.

8. A ball as claimed in claim 7 on which the different sets of markings are indicated in different colors.

9. A ball as claimed in claim 8, which includes other explanatory indicia, signs or markings for describing handling technique.

10. A coaching kit, which includes a non-spherical ball having markings for facilitating handling and/or kicking technique; and an accompanying guide for instructing a payer on how to execute ball handling manoeuvres using the depicted handling markings on the ball.

1 1 . A kit as claimed in claim 10 which includes a plurality of balls each having at least one set of markings depicting different manoeuvres or techniques.

1 2. A method of coaching ball handling skills, the method including providing a ball with markings; and instructing players to execute various ball manoeuvering techniques using the markings as a guide.

1 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 2 which includes using the markings to instruct players on correct strike and/or handling technique.

14. A ball as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as described and illustrated herein.

15. A kit as claimed in claim 10, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

6. A method of coaching as claimed in claim 1 2, substantially described and illustrated herein.

7. A new ball, kit or method substantially as described herein.