Soccer training device

Abstract

Novel soccer training devices are disclosed herein, the device comprising a tether secured to a stationary member (e.g. stake) and a bail enclosure for carrying a soccer ball. The tether is secured to a swivel that allows a soccer player to practice more effectively his kicking and throwing skills

1 . A soccer training device comprising: 
 a. a ball enclosure configured to carry and maintain therein a soccer ball, said ball enclosure further having a cord extending therefrom;    b. a stationary member;    c. a tether having first and second ends for securing said ball enclosure to said stationary member, said first end of said tether secured to said stationary member, said tether further having a length; and    d. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to said cord of said ball enclosure.    
   
   
       2 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein said ball enclosure is a bag having a top edge and a drawstring engaging tunnel formed about the top edge, and wherein said cord is a drawstring engaged within said tunnel.  
   
   
       3 . The soccer training device of  claim 2 , further including a locking element positioned between said swivel and said ball enclosure, wherein said cord is threaded through said locking element, such that when said locking element is disengaged, said locking element may be moved toward said ball enclosure and substantially flush therewith to secure said ball therein.  
   
   
       4 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , further including a locking element secured to said tether and oriented between said swivel and said first end of said tether, said locking element comprising a barrel having a transverse channel extending through each side of said barrel, and wherein said tether is threaded through the channel of said barrel such that a portion of said tether is looped around one side of the barrel, when said locking element is disengaged to allow movement of said tether therein, said portion of said tether may be lengthened to form a loop, such that the larger said loop, the shorter said distance is created, and the smaller said loop, the longer said distance is created.  
   
   
       5 . The soccer training device of  claim 4 , wherein said locking element includes a spring-biased element movably engaged with said barrel, said spring biased element having a longitudinal member extending distally therefrom, said longitudinal member having a transverse channel communicating therethrough and through which said tether is threaded, wherein said spring-biased channel is in registration with said barrel channel when said spring-biased element is depressed, and wherein when said spring biased portion is released, said channels are offset, thereby maintaining said tether therein to prevent said tether from moving within said locking element.  
   
   
       6 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , further including a means for adjusting said distance between said ball enclosure and said stationary member.  
   
   
       7 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said tether is secured to a clip, said clip configured to engage said stationary member.  
   
   
       8 . The soccer training device of  claim 7 , wherein said stationary member includes a tether engaging member extending from said stationary member, said tether engaging member comprising a ring to which said clip may be engaged.  
   
   
       9 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said tether is secured to said stationary member via a second swivel, said second swivel having a stationary member connecting element and a tether connecting element secured to said first end of said tether.  
   
   
       10 . The soccer training device of  claim 9 , wherein said stake connecting element of said second swivel is a clip for engaging said stationary member.  
   
   
       11 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein said cord is at least about 6 inches in length.  
   
   
       12 . The soccer training device of  claim 11 , wherein said cord is from about 6 inches to about 14 inches in length.  
   
   
       13 . A soccer training device comprising: 
 a. a cord having a first end configured for attachment to a soccer ball;    b. a tether having a first end configured for attachment to said stationary member; and    c. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to a second end of said cord.    
   
   
       14 . The soccer training device of  claim 13 , wherein said stationary member is a stake, said stake having a distal piercing end configured to be driven into an underlying ground area, said stake further having a proximal end extending above ground when said stake is driven into said ground, whereby said first end of said tether is secured to a portion of said proximal end.  
   
   
       15 . A soccer training device comprising: 
 a. a cord having a first end configured for attachment to a ball enclosure designed to carry and maintain therein said soccer ball;    b. a tether having a first end configured for attachment to said stationary member and a second end; and    c. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to a second end of said cord.    
   
   
       16 . The soccer training device of  claim 15 , further including a ball enclosure secured to said cord.  
   
   
       17 . The soccer training device of  claim 15 , wherein said stationary member is a stake, said stake having a distal piercing end configured to be driven into an underlying ground area, said stake further having a proximal end extending above ground when said stake is driven into said ground, whereby said first end of said tether is secured to a portion of said proximal end.  
   
   
       18 . A method for adjusting the distance between said ball enclosure and said stationary member of the soccer training device described in  claim 1 , wherein said distance is less than the maximum length of said tether, said method comprising: 
 a. moving said tether through said locking device to form said loop about said locking device; and    b. securing said loop to said stationary member.