Training device for throwing

Abstract

A throwing training apparatus includes at least one, but preferably two approximately parallel planar guides that are positioned behind a user relative to a throwing target. The guides have at least a portion that is planar, wherein the throwing target is in the plane of the planar portion. In one embodiment, the planar guides may be configured as tubular arcs of, e.g., approximately 180 degrees, such that the have a C shape. While a user moves his or her hand in a throwing motion, the planar guides provide tactile feedback to the user indicating when the user is breaking a desired planar throwing motion. With repetition of the throwing motion using the present invention, one may develop muscle memory of the proper throwing form, which will enable one to consistently throw with the proper form without the aid of the training apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A training apparatus for training a user to throw a sports ball, the training apparatus comprising: 
 at least one guide having at least a portion that is planar; and    at least one support element coupled to the at least one guide, the support element positions the planar portion in an approximately vertical position and behind a user relative to a throwing target during use such that the throwing target is approximately in the plane of the planar portion.    
     
     
         2 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide provides tactile feedback to the user during a throwing motion.  
     
     
         3 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the training apparatus comprises two guides that are approximately parallel to each other, wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the two guides during the throwing motion.  
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide is planar and comprises a C shaped member.  
     
     
         5 . The training apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one guide comprises a tubular member that is configured in an arc of approximately 180 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball holder disposed proximate to the bottom of the at least one guide.  
     
     
         7 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide comprises a plurality of guide elements positioned relative to each other to form a plane.  
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element comprises a stand to which the at least one guide is coupled.  
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one support element comprises a stand to which the two guides are coupled, wherein the stand is adjustable to vary the height of the two guides and the stand is adjustable to vary the distance between the two guides.  
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element comprises a top support element that supports the at least one planar guide from approximately the top of the at least one planar guide.  
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide comprises a horizontal portion that is coupled to the vertically positioned planar portion.  
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the training apparatus comprises two guides, each having a horizontal portion that are coupled to vertically positioned planar portions, wherein the two guides are approximately parallel to each other, wherein the user's arm and hand is moved between the two guides during the throwing motion.  
     
     
         13 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sports ball coupled to a means for providing resistance to the motion of the sports ball.  
     
     
         14 . The training apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said means for providing resistance comprises a pulley coupled to the sports ball by a cable.  
     
     
         15 . A training apparatus comprising: 
 means for guiding a user's arm and hand during a throwing exercise using tactile feedback in an approximately vertical planar motion for at least a portion of the throwing motion; and    at least one support element for holding the means for guiding behind the user relative to a throwing target.    
     
     
         16 . The training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for guiding guides the user's arm in an approximately vertical planar motion throughout the throwing motion.  
     
     
         17 . The training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for guiding guides the user's arm in an approximately horizontal motion prior to guiding the user's arm in the approximately vertical planar motion.  
     
     
         18 . The training apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for guiding comprises two C shaped members between which the user's arm is moved during the throwing exercise.  
     
     
         19 . The training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one support element holds the means for guiding from approximately the bottom of the means for guiding.  
     
     
         20 . The training apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one support element holds the means for guiding from approximately the top of the means for guiding.  
     
     
         21 . A method of training a user to throw a sports ball, the method comprising: 
 positioning at least one guide behind a user relative to a throwing target, the guide having at least one planar portion, wherein the guide is positioned such that the throwing target is approximately within the plane of the planar portion;    moving the hand and arm of the user through a throwing motion; and    using tactile feedback from the guide during the throwing motion to indicate to the user when the hand and arm moves outside a desired range of motion.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 positioning a sports ball proximate to the bottom of the guide at approximately arms reach of the user; and    picking up the sports ball prior to moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user faces the throwing target while moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user faces approximately perpendicular to the throwing target while moving the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing resistance to the hand and arm of the user through the throwing motion.