Basketball training device

Abstract

A basketball training device including one or more targets, generally a plurality of targets, featured on a strip of material located along the inside circumference of a basketball goal rim. The strip of material can include a magnetic flap that helps hold the device to the rim or the rim's frame, i.e. the back plate. The strip of material features a plurality of targets that are located in front of the inside of the basketball rim. The device allows a player to aim at a target that is on the inside of the basketball rim located directly in front of their position while shooting from any position on the court. In addition, the device trains the player to target the inside of the rim when shooting while the device is not in place.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sports training device for use with a basketball goal having a rim comprising at least one target positioned along the circumference of the basketball rim. 
     
     
         2 . The sports training device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of targets positioned along the circumference of the basketball rim. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training device of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of targets is positioned along the inner circumference of the basketball rim. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training device of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of targets are featured on an annular strip of material. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training device of  claim 4  wherein the targets are positioned in front of eyelets located along the circumference of the basketball rim. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one pressure sensor integrated into the at least one target. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training device of  claim 5  further comprising at least one pressure sensor integrated into the annular strip of material featuring a plurality of targets. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training device of  claim 6  wherein the at least one pressure sensor is operably connected to an alarm that is activated when the pressure sensor detects pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The sports training device of  claim 7  wherein the at least one pressure sensor is operably connected to an alarm that is activated when the pressure sensor detects pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The sports training device of  claim 6  further comprising a transmitter operably connected to the pressure sensor; said transmitter being configured to send a signal to a processor. 
     
     
         11 . The sports training device of  claim 10  wherein the processor is located in a separate device. 
     
     
         12 . The sports training device of  claim 6  wherein the pressure sensor is operably connected to a transmitter configured to send a signal to an alarm located in a separate device. 
     
     
         13 . The sports training device of  claim 7  wherein the pressure sensor is operably connected to a transmitter configured to send a signal to an alarm located in a separate device. 
     
     
         14 . The sports training device of  claim 7  wherein the pressure sensor is operably connected to a transmitter configured to send a signal to a processor located in a separate device. 
     
     
         15 . A system for training a player to properly aim a basketball at a basketball goal having a rim comprising:
 equipping the basketball rim with a plurality of targets such that at least one of the targets is facing a player located on a basketball court regardless of where on the court the player is located;   instructing the player to aim at the target most directly facing the player when shooting the basketball at the basketball goal.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein each of the plurality of targets aligns with a structure on the basketball rim such that the player shoots the basketball at the structure when they shoot the basketball at the target most directly facing them. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of targets is positioned along the inner circumference of the basketball rim. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising equipping the targets with at least one pressure sensor operably connected to an alarm configured to sound when the target is struck. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of targets is positioned along the inner circumference of the basketball rim. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising equipping the targets with at least one pressure sensor operably connected to an alarm configured to sound when the target is struck.