GB2365359A

GB2365359A - A cricket training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2365359A
Application number: GB0017308A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Philip Spry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-17
Filing date: 2000-07-17
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Also published as: GB0017308D0; AU5435501A

Abstract

A cricket training aid comprises a deflector body 3 extending generally upwards from the ground and having a substantially curved leading face 4 which is generally semicircular in cross section and a pair of planar trailing faces 5A, 5B, off the leading face and preferably forming part of a pair of support frames 6A and 6B which may be hinged to the deflector body. The support frames and may be brought together to form a case for transportation. The cricket training aid may include a removable wedge 8 and a tie 9. One or more different deflector accessories may be attached to the deflector body. The training aid assembly may include a carrying handle 10.handle.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Title: Cricket Training Aid The present invention relates to training aid for cricket, and in particular to a training aid which helps players improve catching skills.

Many cricket players practice catching cricket balls, particularly those who field in the "slips". One common method of doing this is with use of a slip net connected around its perimeter with elastic cord to a rectangular frame. A player throws a ball at this net which is then reflected back for the player to catch. The reflected path of the bal-I is easily ascertained so the reactions of the players are not well tested. The alternative is for a coach to throw the ball to one of a number of persons, but the person the ball is thrown to is fairly easily anticipated.

The invention seeks to provide a try#g aid which more accurately simulates the reflection of a ball off a cricket bat. According to the present invention there is provided a training aid for cricket comprising a deflector body to simulate the bat of a batsman at the crease of a cricket pitch, said deflector body extending generally upwards from the ground and having a substantially curved leading face and a pair of trailing faces leading off the leading face, in use a person can bowl at the deflector body which, when hit with a ball, will deflect the ball in different directions depending on which part of the deflector is hit by the ball.

Preferably the leading face of the deflector body is generally semicircular. The leading face may be formed from a post of which is semicircular in cross-section. Support means may be provided to support the post in a generally vertical position from the ground.

Preferably the trailing faces are a pair of planar sheets connected to the leading face. The trailing faces may form part of a case to store and transport the deflector when not in use. The trailing faces may be hinged to the leading face with the leading face forming the spine of the case. The trailing faces may form a support means to support the leading face in a vertical position.

One or more accessories may be attachable to the deflector body to create different deflector patterns.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view of one embodiment.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a training aid I for cricket to simulate the bat of a batsman at the crease of a cricket pitch in front of stumps 2.

Training aid I includes a deflector body 3 extending generally upwards from the ground. Deflector body 3 has a substantially curved leading face formed from a post 4 which is semicircular in cross-section. A pair of trailing faces leading off the leading face are provided by a pair of planar sheets 5A,5B forming part of a pair of frames 6A,6B respectively. The frames 6A,613 are hinged to the post 4 by hinges 7A,7B,7C,7D (hinges 7C,7D not shown).

The frames 6A,613 serve two purposes. Firstly when in the position shown in the drawing the frames provide a support means to support the post 4 in a generally vertical position from the ground. A wedge 8 is provided to add rigidity to the structure and a removable tie 9 may be provided to press the frames 6A,6B against the wedge 8. Secondly, when not in use, the tie 9 and wedge 8 can be removed, and the frames 6A,6B can be brought together to form a closed case with the post 4 forming the spine of the case. A handle 10 may be provided to transport the case, with the wedge 8 , tie 9 and any other items stored in the case.

In use players can be placed in say wicket keeper, gully, cover point, short leg, silly mid off, I st, 2nd, and 3rd slip positions relative to the stumps 2. A person can bowl (or other wise deliver) a ball at the deflector body which, when hit with a cricket ball 11, will deflect the ball in different directions depending on which part of the deflector is hit by the ball. If the post 4 is hit with the ball I I at the centre, the ball will be reflected back at the bowler to simulate a bowl and catch. If the ball hits the post off centre it will be deflected to a variety of positions to somebody standing in the gully, cover point, short leg, silly mid off, or 2nd or 3rd slip position. If the ball hits the

edge of the post 4 or sheets 5A,513 it will be deflected to somebody standing in lst slip position or to the wicket keeper. Also the players can be arranged as for a left or right handed batsman. The deflector of the invention may be designed such that its maximum width, in use, is about the width of the stumps. The height of the deflector I may vary from being smaller than the stumps 2 (as shown) to being high enough to simulate the height of a player playing a defensive shot on the rear foot, e.g. about 5 ft high.

One or more accessories may be attachable to the deflector body to create different deflector patterns, e.g. to simulate deflections of a spinning ball from a cricket bat.

The deflector I need not be of the specific construction shown. For example it could be formed of a single piece of material and not in the form of a case. It could be just a post with a semicircular face, with the front part of the face being considered as the leading face and either side of the leading face being considered as the trailing faces.

The deflector could be formed of any suitable material such as wood, plastics or metal. It could support printed information such as advertising messages.

The deflector could be designed and sold for serious cricket practice with a cricket ball, or it could be a game, e.g. for children, possibly with a soft ball rather than a cricket ball.

The deflector also provides practice for a bowler as well as practice at catching.

The training aid of the invention may be used for games other than cricket as a general ball deflector. For example a larger version to that shown might be placed adjacent a goal mouth on a football pitch with a number of players around it. A ball could be kicked at the aid and the players would have to practice intercepting a deflected ball and kicking or heading it into the goal. The aid of the invention may thus be used to increase the reactions of players of many different types of ball games.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. According to the present invention there is provided a training aid for cricket Comprising a deflector body to simulate the bat of a batsman at the crease of cricket pitch, the said deflector body extending generally upwards from the ground and having a substantially curved leading face and a pair of trailing faces leading off the leading face and generally supported by a pair of frames.
2. A cricket training aid as claimed in Claim I wherein the leading face of the deflector body is generally semicircular.
3. A cricket training aid as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the leading face of the deflector body is provided with a means to support it in a generally vertical position.
4. A cricket training aid as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the leading face is supplied with a pair of planar trailing faces.
5. A cricket training aid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trailing faces are supplied with a means of hinged attachment to each side of the leading face.
6. A cricket training aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein there are provided two frames to support the leading face in a generally vertical position

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CLAIMS/CONTINUED.
7. A cricket training aid as claimed in any previous claim wherein one or more deflector accessories may be attachable to the deflector body.
8. A cricket training aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein is supplied a removable wedge for adding rigidity to the structure.
9. A cricket training aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein there is supplied a removable means of tying the frames rigidly against the wedge.
10. A cricket training aid as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the hinged trailing faces may form part of a case to transport the deflector. it. A cricket training aid as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the deflector assembly is provided with a handle for transportation.