Sports training aid and method of training

Abstract

A sports training aid includes a sports accessory and a coaching instruction positioned on the accessory in a position where it can be seen by a wearer during normal use of the accessory. In one example the accessory is a football boot and the coaching instruction is provided by an elastic sleeve detachably mounted over the boot.

1 . A sports training aid comprising a sports accessory and a coaching instruction positioned on the accessory in a position where it can be seen by a user during normal use of the accessory. 
     
     
         2 . A sports training aid according to  claim 1 , in which the accessory is an item of sports equipment. 
     
     
         3 . A sports training aid according to  claim 1 , in which the accessory is an item of sports clothing. 
     
     
         4 . A sports training aid according to  claim 1 , in which the training aid comprises both an item of sports equipment carrying a coaching instruction and an item of sports clothing carrying a coaching instruction. 
     
     
         5 . A sports training aid according to  claim 3 , in which the article of sports clothing is an article of footwear. 
     
     
         6 . A sports training aid according to  claim 3 , in which the coaching instruction is disposed on a separate member that is detachably mounted on the article of clothing. 
     
     
         7 . A sports training aid according to  claim 6 , in which the separate member is a sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . A sports training aid according to  claim 7 , in which the sleeve is detachably mounted on a boot and extends over the instep of the boot. 
     
     
         9 . A sports training aid according to  claim 7 , in which the sleeve is able to be fitted on a trainee's forearm. 
     
     
         10 . A sports training aid according to  claim 1 , in which the coaching instruction comprises text. 
     
     
         11 . A sports training aid according to  claim 10 , in which the coaching instruction comprises one or more cue words. 
     
     
         12 . A sports training aid according to  claim 10 , in which the coaching instruction comprises one to four words. 
     
     
         13 . A sports training aid according to  claim 12 , in which the coaching instruction comprises a single word. 
     
     
         14 . A sports training aid according to  claim 1 , in which the coaching instruction comprises one or more images. 
     
     
         15 . A sports training aid according to  claim 1 , in which the coaching instruction is so positioned on the accessory that it is in the line of sight of a trainee carrying out an action to which the instruction relates. 
     
     
         16 . A sports training aid comprising a cricket bat having a handle and a blade, the blade carrying a coaching instruction positioned on the rear of the blade in an upper region thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A sports training aid comprising a ball and a coaching instruction positioned on the ball. 
     
     
         18 . A sports training aid comprising an article of clothing comprising a training top including sleeves and coaching instructions carried on the sleeves. 
     
     
         19 . A sports training aid according to  claim 18 , in which the coaching instructions are carried on portions of the sleeves that in normal use cover over a wearer's forearms. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of training comprising the following steps:
 providing a sports training aid comprising a sports accessory having a coaching instruction positioned on the accessory;   playing the sport using the accessory; and   viewing the coaching instruction while playing the sport.   
     
     
         22 . (canceled)