Contact sports training device and methods

Abstract

A contact sports training device is disclosed in which a single individual may realistically practice two-person contact sports, self-defense, or martial arts techniques that include grappling, blocking, and deflection, which may include a flexible back plate and one or more arms attached thereto to realistically resist and flex when a force is applied by a trainee, allowing for the practice of techniques that teach how to strike through, deflect, or penetrate defenses in a more lifelike training scenario. The contact sports training device may also include simulated weapons, be mounted to a heavy bag, Bob®, or other surface by straps or fasteners. Methods of training with a contact sports training device are also disclosed, including providing a responsive contact sports training device having simulated human arms extended forward in a defensive posture.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A contact sports training device comprising:
 a first plate having one or more first arm attachment points and at least two anchoring features, the anchoring features configured to secure the contact sports training device to a support surface;   a second plate having one or more second arm attachment points and configured to matedly engage the first plate; and   one or more arms, each arm having an arm portion and a mating end, the mating end extending outward from the arm portion and configured to be constrained between the one or more first arm attachment points and the one or more second arm attachment points.   
     
     
         2 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring features are one or more holes dimensioned to accept a fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring features are one or more slots dimensioned to accept a strap. 
     
     
         4 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the first plate has a horizontal cross-section approximating an arc, the arc having a radius of between about 103 inches and 191 inches and a central angle of between about 6 degrees and 10 degrees whereby the arc is between approximately 18 and 20 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the arm portion and the mating end form an angle, the angle being between about 50 and 110 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more fasteners, and wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the mating end of the one or more arms are adapted to accept the fastener and thereby secure the mating end of the one or more arms between the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         7 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the arm portion of the one or more arms has an accessory end distal to the mating end, the accessory end reversibly couplable to an accessory, wherein the accessory is affixed to the accessory end with a force sufficient to simulate a human grasp and allow it to be removed from the contact sports training device through disarming techniques. 
     
     
         8 . The contact sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the first plate has a horizontal midline defining a top side and a bottom side, the top side and bottom side defining a second angle therebetween, the second angle being between about 170 and 174 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . A contact sports training device comprising:
 a flexible back plate dimensioned approximately the size of a human torso and comprising
 a vertical midline defining a left side and a right side, wherein the left side and right side further define an angle therebetween along the vertical midline, the angle being between about 170 and 174 degrees; 
 two arm attachment points; and 
 at least two anchoring features configured to secure the contact sports training device to a support surface; 
   one or more arms, each arm having an arm portion and a mating end, the mating end connectable to the arm attachment points wherein the one or more arms project approximately perpendicular to the back plate.   
     
     
         10 . The contact sports training device of  claim 9  wherein the back plate further comprises a back side and a front side, the back side having at least two surface stabilizing features, each stabilizing feature having an upper surface, the upper surfaces of the at least two stabilizing features being approximately co-planar with a back plate highpoint such that the back plate can be stably mounted to a flat surface. 
     
     
         11 . The contact sports training device of  claim 9  wherein the at least two anchoring features comprise holes dimensioned to insertedly accept a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The contact sports training device of  claim 9  wherein each of the at least two anchoring features comprise two slots dimensioned to slidably accept a strap. 
     
     
         13 . The contact sports training device of  claim 12  further comprising at least two straps, each strap dimensioned to insertedly engage one of the at least two anchoring feature slots and encircle a support surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method of training with a contact sports training device comprising the steps of:
 providing a contact sports training device having a flexible back plate dimensioned approximately the size of a human torso and having a vertical midline defining a left side and a right side, wherein the left side and right side further define an angle therebetween along the vertical midline, the angle being between about 170 and 174 degrees; two arm attachment points; and at least two anchoring features configured to secure the contact sports training device to a support surface; one or more arms, each arm having an arm portion and a mating end, the mating end connectable to the arm attachment points wherein the one or more arms project approximately perpendicular to the back plate;   positioning a trainee in a position suitable for the trainee to engage said device; and   engaging the contact sports training device by said trainee.   
     
     
         15 . The method of training with a contact sports training device of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of providing a simulated weapon on the contact sports training device, and disarming the contact sports training device by said trainee.