Goal training apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for developing goal scoring skills is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a goal, and a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure is configured to replicate a human goalkeeper to improve a training experience for a user. The apparatus is useful for developing and improving goal scoring skills, and preferably, for developing and improving hockey goal scoring skills.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for developing goal scoring skills comprising:
 a goal including a frame having at least a left-side post, a right-side post, a top crossbar, and a bottom crossbar, the frame further including a net affixed thereto and defining a front opening; and   a three-dimensional structure configured to replicate a human goalkeeper and including at least a head, a torso, two arms and two legs, the three-dimensional structure configured to attach to the frame of the goal via an attachment means.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured to replicate a life-size human goalkeeper. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the goal is a hockey goal, and wherein the human goalkeeper is a hockey goalkeeper. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the hockey goalkeeper further includes a hockey stick attached about one of the two arms. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means includes a first attachment clamp configured to attach the three-dimensional structure to the top crossbar. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment means further includes a second attachment clamp configured to attach the three-dimensional structure to the left-side post, and a third attachment clamp configured to attach the three-dimensional structure to the right-side post. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the head of the three-dimensional structure is configured for attachment to the first attachment clamp. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first attachment clamp includes a cylindrical profile configured to encircle the top crossbar. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is moveable about and in relation to the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured for linear movement about the top crossbar. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured to slide across the top crossbar. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the three-dimensional structure includes a vertical axis, and wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured to pivot about a vertical axis so as to adjust an angle of the three-dimensional structure relative to the goal. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is height adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection means configured for detecting a projectile passing past the three-dimensional structure and into the front opening of the goal. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for developing hockey goal scoring skills comprising:
 a hockey goal including a frame having at least a left-side post, a right-side post, a top crossbar, and a bottom crossbar, the frame further including a net affixed thereto and defining a front opening;   a three-dimensional structure configured to replicate a human hockey goalkeeper and including at least a head, a torso, two arms and two legs, the three-dimensional structure configured to attach to the top crossbar of the goal via a first attachment clamp, to the left-side post via a second attachment clamp, and to the right-side post via a third attachment clamp;   wherein the head of the three-dimensional structure is configured for attachment to the first attachment clamp;   wherein the three-dimensional structure is moveable about the frame;   wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured for linear movement about the top crossbar;   wherein the three-dimensional structure includes a vertical axis, and wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured to pivot about a vertical axis so as to adjust an angle of the three-dimensional structure relative to the goal; and   wherein the three-dimensional structure is height adjustable.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is configured to replicate a life-size human hockey goalkeeper. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a detection means configured for detecting a projectile passing past the three-dimensional structure and into the front opening of the goal. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using an apparatus for developing goal scoring skills, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing the apparatus for developing goal scoring skills, the apparatus including:
 a goal including a frame having at least a left-side post, a right-side post, a top crossbar, and a bottom crossbar, the frame further including a net affixed thereto and defining a front opening; 
 a three-dimensional structure configured to replicate a human goalkeeper and including at least a head, a torso, two arms and two legs, the three-dimensional structure configured to attach to the frame of the goal via an attachment means, the three-dimensional structure being moveable about the frame, the three-dimensional structure further including a vertical axis, the three-dimensional structure being configured to pivot about the vertical axis to adjust an angle of the three-dimensional structure relative to the goal, the three-dimensional structure further being height adjustable; 
   attaching the three-dimensional structure to the frame of the goal via the attachment means;   placing the three-dimensional structure at a desired location in the goal;   pivoting the three-dimensional structure about the vertical axis to a desired angle relative to the goal;   adjusting a height of the three-dimensional structure to a desired height relative to the goal; and   aiming and shooting a projectile at the goal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the goal is a hockey goal, and wherein the human goalkeeper is a hockey goalkeeper. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising a detection means configured for detecting a projectile passing past the three-dimensional structure and into the front opening of the goal.