Basketball training aid

Abstract

A basketball training aid structured and arranged to be worn on a guide or non-shooting hand of a basketball player for use in developing a proper basketball shot, thereby increasing higher shooting percentages and overall accuracy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A basketball training aid comprising:
 a shooting disc including:
 a front surface; 
 a back surface; and 
 a first wedge cut-out;
 wherein said first wedge cut-out is located on a first side edge portion thereof and sized and shaped to allow a thumb of a basketball player to reside therein; and 
 
 a second wedge cut-out;
 wherein said second wedge cut-out is located on a second side edge portion thereof opposite from said first side portion and sized and shaped to allow a thumb of a basketball player to reside therein; 
 
   an adjustable strap;
 wherein said adjustable strap is attached to said back surface of said shooting disc and is adapted to receive and hold a non-shooting hand of a basketball player to said back surface; 
   a wrist positioner including:
 a left panel;
 wherein said left panel is adapted to contact a left-side portion of the wrist of a basketball player's non-shooting hand; 
 
 a right panel;
 wherein said right panel is adapted to contact a right-side portion of the wrist of a basketball player's non-shooting hand; and 
 
 a center panel;
 wherein said center panel is connected between the left and right side panels and is adapted to contact a center-front portion of the wrist of a basketball player's non-shooting hand; 
 
 wherein said wrist positioner is attached to a lower edge portion of said shooting disc in between said first and second wedge cut-outs; 
   wherein when a basketball player uses said basketball training aid they place their non-shooting hand upon the back surface under said adjustable strap, place their wrist against said left, right, and center panels of said wrist positioner, place there thumb in one of said first and second wedge cut-outs, and then adjust said adjustable strap, such that their non-shooting hand is in a proper position to use said basketball training aid while shooting a basketball; and wherein when in use a basketball player can place a basketball against said front surface of said shooting disc with their shooting hand and while shooting said basketball use said basketball training aid to guide said basketball toward a basket.   
     
     
         2 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said front surface of said shooting disc includes a plurality of markings thereon adapted to be use by said basketball player to slide said basketball along said markings while shooting said basketball. 
     
     
         3 . The basketball training aid of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of markings are formed as spaced ARC lines 
     
     
         4 . The basketball training aid of  claim 3 , wherein both of said spaced elongated ARC lines are formed as straight lines and are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said center panel of said wrist positioner is configured such that when said wrist positioner is connected to said lower edge portion of said shooting disc said center panel is oriented at an angle of 90 degrees to said back surface of said shooting disc. 
     
     
         6 . The basketball training aid of  claim 5 , wherein said center panel of said wrist positioner is configured such that when said wrist positioner is connected to said lower edge portion of said shooting disc said center panel is oriented at a 45 degree angle to said back surface of said shooting disc. 
     
     
         7 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said shooting disc further includes a first rim portion around an outer edge portion thereof and extending at an angle towards said front surface. 
     
     
         8 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said shooting disc further includes a second rim portion around an outer edge portion thereof and extending at an angle towards said back surface. 
     
     
         9 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable strap is formed as two strap portions releasably connected to one another at respective distal ends via respective hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said front surface of said shooting disc is formed having a smooth surface. 
     
     
         11 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said shooting disc is formed having a substantially circular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The basketball training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said center panel of said wrist positioner further includes a rim portion around an outer edge portion thereof and extending at an angle therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The basketball training aid of  claim 12 , wherein said rim portion of said center panel is formed having a curved cross-section.