Systems and methods for providing training and instruction to a football kicker

Abstract

In one embodiment, kicking training is provided to a kicker in real time by collecting data while the kicker kicks a ball toward a display screen, determining the trajectory of the ball from the collected data, and displaying to the kicker on the display screen a simulation of the flight of the ball within a virtual world.

Claimed are: 
     
         1 . A method for providing training to a kicker in real time, the method comprising:
 collecting data while the kicker kicks a ball toward a display screen;   determining the trajectory of the ball from the collected data; and   displaying to the kicker on the display screen a simulation of the flight of the ball within a virtual world.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein collecting data comprises recording a start time at which the ball first begins to move and an end time at which the ball hits the display screen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the start time and stop time are recorded by a data collection and transmission unit provided on or in the ball. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the start time is detected by a force sensor of a tee that supports the ball. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the stop time is detected by a force sensor array that is positioned behind the display screen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein collecting data comprises detecting a location on the display screen the ball contacted. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein detecting a location comprises detecting impact of the ball against a force sensor array positioned behind the display screen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein collecting data further comprises measuring rotation of the ball during its flight using a data collection and transmission device provided on or in the ball. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein collecting information comprises detecting the time at which the ball crosses a first plane and the time at which the ball crosses a second plane that is spaced from the first plane by a known distance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein collecting information further comprises determining positions within the first and second planes at which the ball crosses the planes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein detecting the times and determining the positions are performed using first and second position detection gates mounted to parallel planes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the trajectory comprises calculating the trajectory from the velocity, angle of flight, and rotation of the ball. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying a simulation comprises displaying in real time a virtual ball flying through the air from a point on the display screen where the kicked ball contacted the screen so that it appears to the kicker as if the kicked ball continued its flight into the virtual world. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the virtual world comprises a virtual football field that includes a field goal post the kicker can use as a target. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising capturing high-speed video of the kicker and the ball before, during, and after the kick. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising determining kicker kinematics and physiological data during the kick from the high-speed video and presenting this information to the kicker as feedback. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising analyzing the kicker kinematics and physiological data to determine ways in which the kicker can improve his kicking form and prevent injuries. 
     
     
         18 . A system for providing training to a kicker, the system comprising:
 a display screen at which the kicker can kick a ball;   sensors configured to measure data about the ball's flight after it is kicked; and   a computing device configured to generate a visual simulation of the flight of the ball within a virtual world.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensors comprise a data collection and transmission unit provided on or in the ball. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein data collection and transmission unit comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein data collection and transmission unit comprises a gyroscope or a group of sensors that together function as a gyroscope. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensors comprise a force sensor of a tee that supports the ball before it is kicked. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensors comprise a force sensor array positioned behind the display screen that comprises multiple force sensors adapted to detect the impact of the kicked ball. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensors comprise a kicking net including first and second position detection gates that are each configured to detect the passage of the ball through the gate and the location of the passage. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a high-speed video camera configured to capture high-speed video of the kicker and the ball before, during, and after the kick. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the computing device is further configured to determine kinematic and physiological information of the kicker from the high-speed video. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the computing device is further configured to determine ways in which the kicker can improve his kicking form and prevent injuries. 
     
     
         28 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a kick training system comprising:
 logic configured to receive data collected while a kicker kicks a ball toward a display screen;   logic configured to determine the trajectory of the ball from the collected data; and   logic configured to generate for display to the kicker on the display screen a simulation of the flight of the ball within a virtual world.   
     
     
         29 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the logic configured to determine the trajectory is configured to calculate the trajectory from the velocity, angle of flight, and rotation of the ball. 
     
     
         30 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , further comprising logic configured to receive high-speed video of the kicker kicking the ball and to determine kicker kinematics and physiological data during the kick. 
     
     
         31 . A kicking net comprising:
 a frame having a front side and a rear side;   a front position detection gate provided on the front side of the frame; and   a rear position detection gate provided on the rear side of the frame;   wherein each position detection gate is configured to detect the passage of a ball through the gate and the location of the passage.