Sports Training System and Method

Abstract

An adjustable sports training system comprises a cylindrical shaft having a superior portion and an inferior portion, a goal structure mounted to the inferior portion of the shaft, the goal structure having a frontal region and a back surface. The goal structure further comprises a backboard with connected hoop on the frontal region, the hoop having an attached net, and the backboard has a back surface shared with that of the goal structure, a front surface, and an edge surface. The system further comprises a pivot mechanism mounted to the superior portion of the shaft, wherein the pivot mechanism has an interior region and the shaft runs centrally through the interior region of the pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism is configured to precisely pivot the goal structure into locked rotational configurations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable sports training system, comprising:
 (a) a cylindrical shaft having a superior portion and an inferior portion;   (b) a goal structure mounted to the inferior portion of the shaft, the goal structure having a frontal region and a back surface, wherein the goal structure further comprises a backboard with connected hoop on the frontal region, the hoop having an attached net, and wherein the backboard has a back surface shared with that of the goal structure, a front surface, and an edge surface; and   (c) a pivot mechanism mounted to the superior portion of the shaft, wherein the pivot mechanism has an interior region, wherein the shaft runs centrally through the interior region of the pivot mechanism, and wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to precisely pivot the goal structure into locked rotational configurations.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a housing in the interior region, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the housing is further supported by a mounting infrastructure connected with its top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 2 , wherein the housing further comprises a rotational subassembly, and wherein the housing mounts to the shaft via bearings connected with each of its top and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 3 , wherein the rotational subassembly further comprises a stepper motor, small gear, large gear, and chain, wherein the large gear is connected with the shaft, and wherein the stepper motor drives the small gear to rotate the chain which drives the large gear to rotate the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 3 , wherein the housing further comprises a control system, wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the rotational subassembly, and wherein the control system is configured to initiate specific rotational configurations of the goal structure. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 5 , wherein the backboard is embedded with lighted displays and a ball sensor on its front surface, and edge lighting on its edge surface, and wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the lighted displays and ball sensor of the backboard. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 6 , wherein the system is installed in a training space, wherein a plurality of cameras are configured to monitor the training space, and wherein the cameras are in electrical communication with the control system. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is further configured to run automated training programs, wherein the control system is further configured to process, store, and analyze sensor and camera data gathered during the training programs, and wherein the control system is further configured to display feedback via the lighted displays and edge lighting, both in real time and after the training programs. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 8 , wherein the control system is further configured to relay data wirelessly between the cameras, ball sensor, lighted displays, and pivot mechanism, and wherein the control system can be accessed remotely via a wireless device. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable sports training system, comprising:
 (a) a lateral track structure;   (b) a goal structure that is mounted to the lateral track structure, the goal structure having a frontal region and a back surface, wherein the goal structure further comprises a backboard with connected hoop on its frontal region, the hoop having an attached net, wherein the backboard has a back surface shared with that of the goal structure, a front surface, and an edge surface, and wherein the goal structure is configured to slide laterally across the lateral track structure into locked horizontal positions; and   (c) a frame structure comprising two vertical rails, wherein the lateral track structure horizontally terminates on each end with each of the rails, wherein the lateral track structure is mounted to the rails, and wherein the lateral track structure is configured to slide vertically along the rails into locked vertical positions.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 10 , further comprising linear bearings, linear slide mechanisms, gears, motors, and a belt, wherein the linear bearings are mounted to the backboard on its back surface, wherein the belt is anchored centrally to the backboard on its back surface, wherein the linear slide mechanisms are connected with each end of the lateral track structure, wherein the linear slide mechanisms are embedded within the vertical rails, wherein the linear slide mechanisms are configured to slide vertically along the rails, wherein the linear bearings are configured to slide across the lateral track structure, and wherein the motors drive the gears to rotate the belt which slides the goal structure laterally. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 10 , further comprising a control system, wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the goal structure, and wherein the control system is configured to initiate specific lateral and vertical configurations of the goal structure. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 12 , wherein the backboard is embedded with lighted displays and a ball sensor on its front surface, and edge lighting on its edge surface, and wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the lighted displays and ball sensor of the backboard. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 13 , wherein the system is installed in a training space, wherein a plurality of cameras are monitoring the training space, and wherein the cameras are in electrical communication with the control system. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 14 , wherein the control system is further configured to run automated training programs, wherein the control system is further configured to process, store, and analyze sensor and camera data gathered during the training programs, and wherein the control system is further configured to display feedback via the lighted displays and edge lighting, both in real time and after the training programs. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 15 , wherein the control system is further configured to relay data wirelessly between the cameras, ball sensor, lighted displays, and goal structure, and wherein the control system can be accessed remotely via a wireless device. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable sports training system of  claim 16 , wherein the lateral track structure is further configured to move forward and backward relative to the frame structure, wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the lateral track structure, and wherein the control system is configured to initiate specific locked forward and backward configurations of the lateral track structure. 
     
     
         18 . A method for an adjustable sports training system comprising:
 (a) Initiating a training program;   (b) Initializing a training session and drill via software-controlled hardware, including rotating a goal structure controlled by a pivot mechanism, and establishing the position of both an athlete and a ball;   (c) Providing information that a session and drill has started;   (d) Detecting and tracking certain motions of the athlete;   (e) Detecting a shot attempt by the athlete and tracking the trajectory of the shot;   (f) Tracking the position and motion of both the athlete and ball continuously, and logging certain data yielded by the tracking and associated with each shot attempt;   (g) Providing real time feedback about the session and drill;   (h) Completing the drill or completing the session based on parameters set for the session by the training program;   (i) If the drill is complete, and a subsequent drill has been programmed into the session, then adjusting the hardware for the next drill, including rotating the goal structure controlled by the pivot mechanism;   (j) Providing information that another drill has started within the session; and   (k) If the session is complete, then providing session feedback including trends derived from cumulative data gathered from previous sessions.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the utilized hardware adjusts the position of the goal structure both laterally and vertically. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising adjusting the goal structure linearly in any direction.