AU2003100814A4 - Soccer / football telescoping tee (SFTT) (for side volleying) - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

INNOVATION

PATENT

SOCCER/FOOTBALL

TELESCOPING TEE (SFTT)

(FOR

SIDE VOLLEYING) The invention by following statement Michael Loke is dated 1 0 t h October, described 2003: in the 7/ 'D3 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No. 2003100814 10-10-2003 SOCCERIFOOTBALL TELESCOPING TEE (SFTT)

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to the use of an inverted telescoping stand as a training aid for beginners, intermediate or experienced persons in volleying (side volley kicking using the full instep of the foot) a soccer/football ball.

With any skill, whether it is physical or intellectual, the basis is the correct technique followed by tactics. Technique is a method of performance or execution. This is acquired by learning the basics first. Tactics are defined by knowing when and which technique to apply in what continuous sequence.

Skill is acquired by practice and is a measure of how well an individual can execute a technique, and is the bridge linking technique and tactics.

In the sport of soccer/football, the fundamental technique required is the ability to control the ball. This can be achieved in a number of ways, but not limited to: Stopping and receiving the ball with the feet, thigh, chest or even head (or hands if the goal keeper); Passing the ball with the feet or head; Running with the ball using the feet; Kicking the ball with the foot is one of the main ingredients of soccer. It is vital for passing, shooting and clearing.

The Soccer/Football Telescoping Tee (SFTT) relates to kicking the ball, but more specifically to kicking a ball that is in mid-air. This is more commonly known as a volley.

As stated previously, it is preferable to learn the basics first.

To perform the basic techniques upon which soccer depends, practice situations involving a number of variables are often too complex. It is much easier to start practising technique with a stationary ball. Simple practices focus on the individual relationship between the player and the ball. By doing this the player learns what the ball will do, how it will bounce, and how it will respond to different pressures of the foot.

With "volleying" whether it is a front-on volley or a side volley, a player attempts to strike a ball that is moving through the air using the foot. For a player to master this action, he/she requires technique tactics.

The most basic form of practising the front-on volley technique is by "dropping" the ball and attempting to volley the ball either before it touches the ground, or after it bounces and is in mid air again. This can be done by an individual alone.

innov.patent.1 .doc MICHAEL LOKE Page 2 of 12 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No. 2003100814 10-10-2003 The next most basic form of practising the side volley technique is for a second party to throw the ball in the air to a receiving player who attempts to side volley the ball.

Another basic form of practising the side volley technique is to suspend or hang a ball from an overhead frame of some sort.

The disadvantages of the most basic forms of practising front-on and side volleying are that the target (ball) is non-stationary; and delivery of the ball is crucial in practising this action. If the delivery is poor, then the player cannot practise the action. The disadvantage of the other basic form of side volley practise is that when the ball is kicked, the ball will travel in an arc defined by the length of the rope connecting the ball to the frame, leaving the player with no real sense of whether his/her technique is correct due to being unable to see the true travel line of the ball.

The SFTT invention eliminates the above disadvantages by providing a stationary target (ball), which can be easily assembled and used by an individual alone to practise side volleying.

The SFTT would be of composite construction, with individual components preferably made from rubber, steel &/or moulded plastic; however other materials may also be used.

To assist with understanding the invention, the following drawings have been included as part of the specification (see appendix): Drawing SFTT/SK1 shows the components of the SFTT in exploded form; Drawing SFTT/SK2 shows the SFTT in three-dimensional form; Drawing SFTT/SK3 illustrates how the SFTT is used; Drawing SFTT/SK4 illustrates why the SFTT is used.

With reference to drawings SK1 SK2, it can be seen that the SFTT is an inverted with the following components: 1. Square base plate with a large diameter central hole, and 4 smaller diameter holes near each corner; 2. Stem of circular hollow section with an oversized base plate; 3. Shaft of circular hollow section; 4. Stand circular hollow section; Seat adjustable conical cup shaped seat. The cup may be a separate item to the stand, though it could also be integral with the stand.

innov.patent.1 .doc MICHAEL LOKE Page 3 of 12 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No. 2003100814 10-10-2003 All five components fit together in sequence (refer to drawing SK1):- 1. The baseplate has an oversized central hole which allows the baseplate to slide down over the stem The stem's oversized baseplate provides a seating for the baseplate The 4 smaller outer holes allow the baseplate to be pegged into the turf if desired (when used in an outdoors situation); 2. The hollow shaft provides a friction tight fit over the stem and enables the shaft to be adjusted in height over the stem 3. The hollow shaft provides a friction tight fit over the stand and enables the stand to be adjusted in height within the shaft 4. The seat has an open ended adjustable conical cup shaped head (like a funnel) allowing soccer/football balls of different size (as size of ball used varies with age groupings) to be seated/balanced on the stand In addition, the stand is of a slightly smaller diameter (outside) than the inside of the stem When the shaft is adjusted to be flush with the base plate the stand can slide into the shaft and also slide into the stem Alternatively, the shaft can be omitted from the configuration, and the stand can slot directly into the stem although no height adjustment can be made whilst in this configuration; 6. The overall effect is a telescoping (with telescoping action achieved by friction between individual components) that can be used outdoors and indoors.

The use of rubber for the shaft stand allows the SFTT to bend/flex about the wide baseplate in the case where a player accidentally kicks the stand of the SFTT instead of the ball. Rubber also reduces the likelihood of injury from kicking the SFTT accidentally. The wide baseplate provides stability of the whole SFTT when the ball is kicked.

The device is versatile in its whole. Height adjustment in 2 locations (between stem and shaft and also shaft and stand allows it to be used by people of different height, and also for a person to experiment with different heights for improving technique. This simulates a match situation as the ball will arrive at varying heights to a player. The SFTT is also versatile in that it allows a person to practice realistically the side volley technique alone.

With reference to drawing SK4, the illustration shows why the SFTT was devised. It shows a typical training drill, consisting of two players A B.

Player A dribbles the ball towards the by-line and attempts to loft (cross kick, denoted by mark C) the ball into the path of player B. Player B then attempts to volley the airborne ball towards the goal. This is the ideal situation. But in reality more often than not the following two scenarios occur: innov.patent.1 .doc MICHAEL LOKE Page 4 of 12 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No. 2003100814 10-10-2003 1. The lofted ball takes the path of lines marked D or E or F, leaving player B little or no chance of practising the volley part of the drill; 2. Player B mistimes their run is in the wrong position to volley the ball.

This is where the SFTT comes into use. It provides a stationary target for player B to aim for, whilst concentrating on learning/practising the side volleying technique. It also enables a player to practise the technique using either foot.

innov.patent.1.doc MICHAEL LOKE Page 5 of 12 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No. 2003100814 10-10-2003

DRAWINGS

Drawing SFTT/SK1 components of the SFTT in exploded form; Drawina SFTT/SK2 SFTT in threedimensional form; Drawing SFTT/SK3 illustration of how the SFTT is used; Drawina SFTT/SK4 illustration of why the SFTT is used.

innov.patent.1.doc MICHAEL LOKE Page 6 of 12

Claims (1)

10-10-2003 CLAIMS The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. The SFTT is a base supported vertically adjustable telescoping soccer/football ball mounting which supports a stationary ball, and is used for learning/practising the action of side volleying alone; 2. The SFTT of claim 1 wherein the telescoping is vertically adjustable to be used by people of different heights; 3. The SFTT of claim 1 wherein the telescoping is vertically adjustable with the ball at different heights for a person to practice at improving the side volley technique; 4. The SFTT of claim 1 wherein the telescoping has a large base plate providing stability against overturning when the ball is kicked off the Other forms of the SFTT may involve no base plate with a spiked stem base for direct pegging into turf; swivel-joint type connection between base plate and stem; spring-joint type connection between base plate and stem; propulsion of ball from the telescoping action may be achieved by other methods, such as screwing/twisting action. innov.patent.1 .doc MICHAEL LOKE Page 11 of 12