Sports trajectory training device

Abstract

Embodiments described herein are related to a sports training device. The sports training device may include a base structure having a supporting element and a shaft coupled to the base structure such that the shaft is selectively raised or lowered relative to the base structure. A resilient rod may be coupled to the second end of the shaft and disposed. The resilient rod may be capable of bending to absorb an impulse and returning to a first resting position along. A longitudinal rod structure may be coupled to the resilient rod. The longitudinal rod structure may be disposed along the first axis and capable of rotating with the bending of the resilient rod. A reference object may be coupled to an end of the longitudinal rod structure. The reference object may be disposed along or proximate to a target trajectory of a sports ball.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training device comprising:
 a base structure comprising a supporting element configured to maintain balance of the sports training device;   a shaft comprising a first end coupled to the base structure and a second end extending away from the base structure, wherein the shaft is coupled to the base structure such that the shaft is selectively raised or lowered relative to the base structure;   a flexible rod structure coupled to the second end of the shaft and disposed in a first position along a first axis, the flexible rod structure capable of flexing to absorb an impulse and returning to the first position along the first axis;   a longitudinal rod structure coupled to the flexible rod structure, the longitudinal rod structure disposed along the first axis and capable of rotating with the flexing of the flexible rod structure; and   a reference object coupled to an end of the longitudinal rod structure, wherein the reference object is disposed at a point at or proximate to a target trajectory of a sports ball.   
     
     
         2 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure comprises three or more collapsible legs configured to contact a surface and balance the sports training device. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the point is disposed at or under an apex of the target trajectory. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the flexible rod structure comprises a spring capable of bending and returning the flexible rod structure to the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal rod structure comprises one or more modular members that selectively couple one to another. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training device of  claim 5 , wherein the modular members each form a hollow recess along a central axis of each of the modular members, wherein the longitudinal rod structure further comprises an elastic rope coupled to a first end of the longitudinal rod structure and a second end of the longitudinal rod structure, wherein the elastic rope is disposed within each recess of the one or more modular members. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a feedback device coupled to one or more of the flexible rod structure, the longitudinal rod structure, or the reference object, wherein the feedback device is to provide at least one of an auditory feedback or a visual feedback when an object contacts one or more of the flexible rod structure, the longitudinal rod structure or the reference object. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a first rod and a second rod, wherein the second rod is to telescope within the first rod of the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is to telescope within a portion of the base structure to raise and lower the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A sports training feedback system, comprising:
 a sports trajectory reference device comprising:
 a stability structure comprising one or more collapsible legs to balance the sports trajectory reference device; 
 a height adjustable structure coupled to the stability structure, the height adjustable structure comprising one or more rods configured to translate relative to the stability structure to heighten or shorten the sports trajectory reference device; and 
 a flexible rod structure coupled to the height adjustable structure, the flexible rod structure to receive an impulse from a sports ball and flex relative to the height adjustable structure to absorb the impulse from the sports ball, and 
   wherein the sports trajectory reference device is disposed between a sports goal and the sports ball, wherein the sports ball is targeted at the sports goal and an end of the flexible rod structure is disposed at a point along or proximate to a target trajectory of the sports ball.   
     
     
         11 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 10 , further comprising a feedback device coupled to the sports trajectory reference device, wherein the feedback device is to provide one or more of an auditory feedback or a visual feedback indicative of the sports ball contacting the sports trajectory reference device. 
     
     
         12 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 10 , wherein the height adjustable structure is selectively coupled to the stability structure and the flexible rod structure is selectively coupled to the height adjustable structure. 
     
     
         13 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible rod structure comprises a resilient rod coupled to a spring capable of bending and returning the resilient rod to a vertical position. 
     
     
         14 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible rod structure comprises one or more modular members that selectively couple one to another. 
     
     
         15 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 14 , wherein the modular members each form a hollow recess along a central axis of each of the modular members, wherein the flexible rod structure further comprises an elastic rope coupled to a first end of the flexible rod structure and a second end of the flexible rod structure, wherein the elastic rope is disposed within each recess of the modular members. 
     
     
         16 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 10 , wherein the height adjustable structure comprises a first rod and a second rod, wherein the first rod is to telescope within the second rod to heighten or shorten the sports trajectory reference device. 
     
     
         17 . The sports training feedback system of  claim 10 , wherein the height adjustable structure is to telescope within a portion of the stability structure to raise and lower the height adjustable structure relative to the stability structure. 
     
     
         18 . A basketball arc shooting instructor system, comprising:
 an apex reference device, comprising:
 a stability structure comprising one or more collapsible legs to balance the apex reference device; 
 a height adjustable structure coupled to the stability structure, the height adjustable structure comprising one or more rods configured to translate relative to the stability structure to heighten or shorten the apex reference device; and 
 a flexible rod structure coupled to the height adjustable structure, the flexible rod structure disposed in a vertical position and configured to receive an impact from a basketball and bend relative to the height adjustable structure to absorb the impact from the basketball and return to the vertical position; and 
   wherein the apex reference device is disposed between a basketball hoop and the basketball, wherein the basketball is targeted at the basketball hoop and the flexible rod structure is disposed at a location at or under an apex of a target trajectory of the basketball.   
     
     
         19 . The basketball arc shooting instructor system of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible rod structure comprises a resilient rod coupled to a spring capable of bending and returning the resilient rod to the vertical position. 
     
     
         20 . The basketball arc shooting instructor system of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible rod structure comprises one or more modular members that selectively couple one to another, wherein the modular members each form a hollow recess along a central axis of each of the modular members, wherein the flexible rod structure further comprises an elastic rope coupled to a first end of the flexible rod structure and a second end of the flexible rod structure, wherein the elastic rope is disposed within each recess of the modular members.