Interchangeable soccer training system

Abstract

The present invention is a soccer training system for holding and retrieving a soccer ball including a detachable tether mechanism that is capable of easily switching between being ground-mounted, hand-held, and belt-mounted, depending on what practice skills are desired. The invention is an incorporated kicking, shooting, dribbling and juggling soccer training device that simulates real soccer play.

1 . An interchangeable soccer training system for allowing a user to practice multiple soccer skills comprising: 
 a tether line having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one elastic portion;    means for securing a soccer ball in a minimally interfering way to said distal end of said tether line;    means for allowing said tether line to rotate about its own axis;    at least two ball anchoring means; and    means for removably attaching said proximal end of said tether line to each of said at least two ball anchoring means;    wherein each of said at least two ball anchoring means are adapted to be mounted on the ground, held in a user's hands, or mounted on the body of a user.    
   
   
       2 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for allowing said tether line to rotate about its own axis comprises a swivel-eyebolt.  
   
   
       3 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for removably attaching said proximal end of said tether line to each of said at least two ball anchoring means comprises a spring-loaded clasp.  
   
   
       4 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for securing a soccer ball in a minimally interfering way to said distal end of said tether line comprises a net adapted to encase the soccer ball.  
   
   
       5 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 1 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means is mounted on a ground surface.  
   
   
       6 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 5 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means comprises a unitary ground unit comprising: 
 a plurality of arms extending from a center of said unit, wherein each arm has a circular opening at a distal end;    a circular loop extending from said unit on a plane orthogonal to a plane of said arms; and    a ring freely movable along a substantial portion of said circular loop.    
   
   
       7 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 6 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means further comprises a plurality of stakes adapted to be inserted into the ground through said circular openings on said distal ends of said arms.  
   
   
       8 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 6 , wherein said ring is adapted to receive said means for removably attaching said proximal end of said tether line to each of said at least two ball anchoring means.  
   
   
       9 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 5 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means comprises a ground unit comprising: 
 a stake with an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said lower portion is spiraled and adapted to be inserted into the ground, and said upper portion extends in plane perpendicular to said ground; and    a freely movable ring connected to said upper portion for receiving said means for removably attaching said proximal end of said tether line to each of said at least two ball anchoring means.    
   
   
       10 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 9 , wherein said upper portion is a circular loop and said ring is freely movable along a substantial portion of said circular loop.  
   
   
       11 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 10 , wherein a handle extends on a plane perpendicular to the ground and is adapted to be flush with the ground after the spiral portion is fully inserted.  
   
   
       12 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 9 , wherein said ring is connected to said stake at a junction of the upper portion and lower portion by a pin and a rotating ring.  
   
   
       13 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 12 , wherein said upper portion is triangularly shaped and is adapted to be a handle.  
   
   
       14 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 1 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means is adapted to be held in a player's hands.  
   
   
       15 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 14 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means comprises a handheld tether winder comprising: 
 a left end adapted to be held in a player's left hand, a right end adapted to be held in a player's right hand, and a center portion;    said left end being inversely symmetrical to said right end; and    said left end and said right end each approximately forming a Y-shape having a top part and a bottom part,    wherein a bottom part of said Y-shapes are joined at said center portion; and a top part of each said Y-shape has a loop.    
   
   
       16 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 15 , wherein said loop is adapted to receive said means for removably attaching said proximal end of said tether line to each of said at least two ball anchoring means.  
   
   
       17 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 15 , wherein said top part of said Y-shapes on said left and right ends is adapted to receive said tether when it is wound around said winder.  
   
   
       18 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 1 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means is adapted to be worn by a player.  
   
   
       19 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 18 , wherein one of said at least two ball anchoring means comprises a band comprising: 
 a first end and a second end, said first and second end having a means for removably connecting said first end to said second end; and    an attachment means for receiving said proximal end of said tether line at either said first end or said second end of said band.    
   
   
       20 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 19 , wherein said attachment means is adapted to receive said means for removably attaching said proximal end of said tether line to each of said at least two ball anchoring means.  
   
   
       21 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 19 , wherein said attachment means is a rotatable ring.  
   
   
       22 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 19 , wherein said attachment means is a loop of material.  
   
   
       23 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 19 , wherein said means for removably connecting said first end to said second end comprises hook and loop fasteners.  
   
   
       24 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 19 , wherein said means for removably connecting said first end to said second end comprises a conventional belt buckle with reciprocal holes.  
   
   
       25 . The interchangeable soccer training system of  claim 19 , wherein said band is adapted to be worn around the waist of a player.