PURE SHOOTER

Abstract

An illustrated front view of an exemplary shooting guide device for training a player proper finger and guide hand positioning while shooting a basketball. The shooting guide device is useful for encouraging and training a player to properly position the player's guide hand and fingers when shooting a basketball. The shooting guide device provides a training device to increase control and improve accuracy, which results in more baskets and fewer errant shots. The shooting guide device is useful to improve shooting accuracy and training players to shoot properly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to basketball. More particularly, it relates to a device for guiding a basketball while shooting.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter) through the defender's hoop (a basket 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter mounted 10 feet (3.048 m) high to a backboard at each end of the court) while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop.

[0003] A field goal is worth two points, unless made from behind the three-point line, when it is worth three. After a foul, timed play stops and the player fouled or designated to shoot a technical foul is given one or more one-point free throws. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins, but if regulation play expires with the score tied, an additional period of play (overtime) is mandated.

[0004] Players advance the ball by bouncing it while walking or running (dribbling) or by passing it to a teammate, both of which require considerable skill. On offense, players may use a variety of shots--the lay-up, the jump shot, or a dunk; on defense, they may steal the ball from a dribbler, intercept passes, or block shots; either offense or defense may collect a rebound, that is, a missed shot that bounces from rim or backboard. It is a violation to lift or drag one's pivot foot without dribbling the ball, to carry it, or to hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling.

[0005] The five players on each side at a time fall into five playing positions: the tallest player is usually the center, the tallest and strongest is the power forward, a slightly shorter but more agile big man is the small forward, and the shortest players or the best ball handlers are the shooting guard and the point guard, who implements the coach's game plan by managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays (player positioning). Informally, players may play three-on-three, two-on-two, and one-on-one.

[0006] Shooting is the act of attempting to score points by throwing the ball through the basket, methods varying with players and situations.

[0007] Typically, a player faces the basket with both feet facing the basket. A player will rest the ball on the fingertips of the dominant hand (the shooting arm) slightly above the head, with the other hand supporting the side of the ball. The ball is usually shot by jumping (though not always) and extending the shooting arm. The shooting arm, fully extended with the wrist fully bent, is held stationary for a moment following the release of the ball, known as a follow-through. Players often try to put a steady backspin on the ball to absorb its impact with the rim. The ideal trajectory of the shot is somewhat controversial, but generally a proper arc is recommended. Players may shoot directly into the basket or may use the backboard to redirect the ball into the basket.

[0008] The two most common shots that use the above described setup are the set shot and the jump shot. The set shot is taken from a standing position, with neither foot leaving the floor, typically used for free throws, and in other circumstances while the jump shot is taken in mid-air, the ball released near the top of the jump. This provides much greater power and range, and it also allows the player to elevate over the defender. Failure to release the ball before the feet return to the floor is considered a traveling violation.

[0009] Another common shot is called the lay-up. This shot requires the player to be in motion toward the basket, and to "lay" the ball "up" and into the basket, typically off the backboard (the backboard-free, underhand version is called a finger roll). The most crowd-pleasing and typically highest-percentage accuracy shot is the slam dunk, in which the player jumps very high and throws the ball downward, through the basket while touching it.

[0010] Another shot that is becoming common is the "circus shot". The circus shot is a low-percentage shot that is flipped, heaved, scooped, or flung toward the hoop while the shooter is off-balance, airborne, falling down, and/or facing away from the basket. A back-shot is a shot taken when the player is facing away from the basket, and may be shot with the dominant hand, or both; but there is a very low chance that the shot will be successful.

[0011] A shot that misses both the rim and the backboard completely is referred to as an air ball. A particularly bad shot, or one that only hits the backboard, is jocularly called a brick. The hang time is the length of time a player stays in the air after jumping, either to make a slam dunk, lay-up or jump shot.

[0012] The most common reason for inaccurate shooting is that the player does not properly place their fingers on the ball and their guide hand (the hand to the side of the ball to help keep the ball on the correct path) brushes the ball as it is released from the fingers of the player. Once a player learns and practices the proper positioning of their fingers and hand on the ball, the ball spins with appropriate rotation and can be squarely pushed off of the fingers and towards the basket as well as the guide (or off) hand releasing appropriately as to not cause sideway spin on the basketball.

[0013] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a device which can teach and train a player the proper finger positioning and guide hand position while shooting a basketball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1A is an illustrated front view of an exemplary shooting guide.

[0015] FIG. 1B is an illustrated side view of the exemplary shooting guide shown in FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The phrases "in one embodiment," "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," and the like are used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms "comprising," "having," and "including" are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. Such terms do not generally signify a closed list.

[0017] "Above," "adhesive," "affixing," "any," "around," "both," "bottom," "by," "comprising," "consistent," "customized," "enclosing," "friction," "in," "labeled," "lower," "magnetic," "marked," "new," "nominal," "not," "of," "other," "outside," "outwardly," "particular," "permanently," "preventing," "raised," "respectively," "reversibly," "round," "square," "substantial," "supporting," "surrounded," "surrounding," "threaded," "to," "top," "using," "wherein," "with," or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise.

[0018] Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions, there is no intent to limit the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents. In alternate embodiments, additional devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to, or combined, without limiting the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an illustrated front view of an exemplary shooting guide device 100 for training a player proper finger and guide hand positioning while shooting a basketball. The shooting guide device 100 is useful for encouraging and training a player to properly position the player's guide hand and fingers when shooting a basketball. The shooting guide device 100 provides a training device to increase control and improve accuracy, which results in more baskets and fewer errant shots. The shooting guide device 100 is useful to improve shooting accuracy and training players to shoot properly.

[0020] The shooting guide device 100 preferably has a height of one-half (0.5) inch, however other heights are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, one-quarter (0.25) inch, three-fourths (0.75) inch, etc. The shooting guide device 100 preferably has a length of four (4) inches, however other lengths are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to six (6) inches, five (5) inches, etc. The shooting guide device 100 preferably has a width of one-half (0.5) inch, however other widths are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, one-quarter (0.25) inch, three-fourths (0.75) inch, etc.

[0021] The shooting guide device 100 preferably has a rectangular shape, however other shapes are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, oblong, trapezoidal, etc. The shooting guide device 100 is preferably made of a rubber material, however other materials are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, plastic, nylon, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), etc. The shooting guide device 100 preferably has two sizes, an adult size and a child size, for fitting properly in an adult's hand or a child's hand.

[0022] The shooting guide device 100 has a body 200. The body 200 has a top side 210, a bottom side 220, a first side 230 and a second side 240.

[0023] The top side 210 of the body 200 has first end 211 and a second end 212. The first end 211 of the top side 210 of the body 200 is preferably a curved shape, however other shapes are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, oblong, etc. The second end 212 of the top side 210 of the body 200 is preferably a curved shape, however other shapes are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, oblong, etc. A center 214 of the first end 211 of the top side 210 is preferably a U-shape. A center 215 of the second end 212 of the top side 210 is preferably a U shape.

[0024] The first end 211 of the top side 210 of the body 200 is significantly near the first side 240 of the body 200. The first end 211 of the top side 210 of the body 200 forms a hook-like shape 213 of FIG. 1B. A player would place their first finger, whether a thumb or ring finger, onto the first end 211 of the top side 210.

[0025] The second end 212 of the top side 210 of the body 200 is significantly near the second side 240 of the body 200. The second end 212 of the top side 210 of the body 200 forms a hook-like shape 216 of FIG. 1B. A player would place their second finger, whether a thumb or ring finger, onto the second end 212 of the top side 210.

[0026] The bottom side 220 of the body 200 has a first insert 221 and a second insert 222. The first insert 221 of the bottom side 220 of the body 200 is preferably a curved shape, however other shapes are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, oblong, etc. The second insert 222 of the bottom side 220 of the body 200 is preferably a curved shape, however other shapes are hereby contemplated, including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, oblong, etc. A center 224 of the first insert 221 of the bottom side 220 is preferably a U-shape. A center 225 of the second insert 222 of the bottom side 220 is preferably a U shape. The first insert 221 of the bottom side 220 and the second insert 222 of the bottom side 220 are preferably for smaller hands, such as a child's hand.

[0027] The first insert 221 of the bottom side 220 of the body 200 is significantly between a middle 223 of the bottom side 220 and the first side 240 of the body 200. A player would place their first finger, whether a thumb or ring finger, onto the first insert 221 of the bottom side 220.

[0028] The second insert 222 of the bottom side 220 of the body 200 is significantly between the middle 223 of the bottom side and the second side 240 of the body 200. A player would place their second finger, whether a thumb or ring finger, onto the second insert 222 of the bottom side 220.

[0029] A middle portion 226 is configured between the first insert 221 and the second insert 222. The middle portion 226 is preferably five-sixteenths ( 5/16) inches in length, however other lengths are hereby contemplated, includes one-fourth (1/4) inch, three-eighths (3/8) inch, etc.

[0030] In the numbered clauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments are articulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respective embodiments, for each instance in which a "component" or other such identifiers appear to be introduced (with "a" or "an," e.g.) more than once in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identify the same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called "dependent" clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respective embodiments, the features of "independent" clauses to which they refer or other features described above.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

[0032] The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A shooting guide device for improving shooting skills in basketball, the device comprising: a body, the body having a top side, a bottom side, a first side and a second side; a first; a first end of the top side, the first end being substantially near the first side of the body, wherein the first end being a curved shape; a second end of the top side, the second end being substantially near the second side of the body, wherein the second end being a curved shape; a first insert of the bottom side, the first insert being substantially between a middle of the bottom side and the first side of the body; and a second insert of the bottom side, the second insert being substantially between the middle of the bottom side and the second side of the body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device having a length being four (4) inches.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device having a length being five (5) inches.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device having a length being six (6) inches.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device having a width being one-half (0.5) inch.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device having a height being one-half (0.5) inch.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device being made of a rubber material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device having a shape being rectangular.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein a center of the first end of the top side being a "U" shape.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein a center of the second end of the top side being a "U" shape.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the top side being a hook shape.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the top side being a hook shape.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the first insert of the bottom side being a curved shape.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the second insert of the bottom side being a curved shape.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device being a size for fitting a child's hand.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device being a size for fitting an adult's hand.