Soccer training device

Abstract

A soccer training device has a deployment trough defining a ball support surface for supporting a plurality of soccer balls, at least one sidewall, a deployment opening, and a back end opposite the deployment opening. The sidewall(s) of the deployment trough are constructed and arranged to restrain soccer balls between the deployment opening and the back end of the deployment trough. The training device has a plurality of legs connected to the deployment trough to suspend the deployment trough at a height above ground level. The training device has a release guide connected to the deployment trough proximate to the deployment opening. The release guide has a rolling surface and extends from the deployment trough. The release guide is constructed and arranged to guide each soccer ball from the deployment trough to the ground along the rolling surface.

1 . A soccer training device comprising:
 a deployment trough defining a ball support surface for supporting a plurality of soccer balls, at least one sidewall, a deployment opening, and a back end opposite the deployment opening, the at least one sidewall of the deployment trough constructed and arranged to restrain the plurality of soccer balls between the back end of the deployment trough and the deployment opening;   a plurality of legs connected to the deployment trough, the plurality of legs constructed and arranged to suspend the deployment trough at a height above ground level, the plurality of legs including at least one front leg proximate to the deployment opening and at least one back leg proximate to the back end; and   a release guide connected to the deployment trough proximate to the deployment opening, the release guide extending from the deployment trough and having a rolling surface, the release guide constructed and arranged to guide each of the plurality of soccer balls from the deployment trough to the ground along the rolling surface.   
     
     
         2 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of legs is pivotably connected to the deployment trough. 
     
     
         3 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one legs coupler fixedly attached to the deployment trough, wherein at least one of the plurality of legs is pivotably attached to one of the at least one legs coupler. 
     
     
         4 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of legs has an adjustable length. 
     
     
         5 . The soccer training device of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable length is fixed with a device selected from the group consisting of a threaded collar, a threaded bolt, a threaded nut, a pin, a locking lever, a spring-loaded plunger, and a clamp. 
     
     
         6 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable angle restrainer connected between two adjacent ones of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         7 . The soccer training device of  claim 6 , wherein the removable angle restrainer is selected from the group consisting of a rope, a chain, a bar, and a flexible ligature. 
     
     
         8 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , wherein the release guide is selected from the group consisting of a ramp, a chute, a tube, and a plurality of parallel bars. 
     
     
         9 . The soccer training device of  claim 8 , wherein the release guide connects to the deployment trough with a device selected from the group consisting of a hinge, a bracket, a catch, a hook, and a fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball gate connected to the deployment trough proximate to the deployment opening, the ball gate being adjustable between an open position, wherein the ball gate blocks the deployment opening to the plurality of soccer balls, and a closed position, wherein the deployment opening is open to the plurality of soccer balls. 
     
     
         11 . The soccer training device of  claim 10 , wherein the ball gate is capable of adjustment between the open position and the closed position with a device selected from the group consisting of a rope, a string, a chain, a lever arm, and a radio-controlled switch. 
     
     
         12 . The soccer training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball-stop device connected to the deployment trough, wherein the ball-stop device is configured to inhibit passage of the plurality of soccer balls through the deployment opening. 
     
     
         13 . The soccer training device of  claim 12 , wherein the ball-stop device is selected from the group consisting of a protrusion, a ridge, a bracket, a fringed member, and a narrowed gap between opposing sidewalls. 
     
     
         14 . The soccer training device of  claim 12 , wherein the ball-stop device is selectively adjustable between an active position, wherein the ball-stop device engages at least one of the plurality of soccer balls, and an inactive position, wherein the ball-stop device does not engage the plurality of soccer balls.