1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to athletic training devices and, more particularly, to a device that trains a user to use proper technique for obtaining optimal velocity and accuracy when throwing a football.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
When throwing a football, it is desirable for the football to have a tight spiral wherein the football rotates about its long axis with as many revolutions per minute as possible. Generally, a football thrown with a tight spiral has greater accuracy and velocity upon leaving the thrower's hand than a football thrown without a tight spiral. Proper football throwing mechanics require a series of movements that are unlike the movements involved in throwing a spherical ball, such as a baseball, and can be difficult to learn and commit to muscle memory.
When throwing a football, it is necessary for the thrower to prevent his or her wrist from bending backwards (extension) during the football throwing motion, particularly as the football is being released during the follow-through motion. Extension of a thrower's wrist during the throwing action promotes improper technique and results in a poorly thrown spiral. At the same time, however, it is necessary for the thrower's wrist to be capable of bending forwards (flexion) during the follow-through motion (i.e. the moment immediately following release of the football), as proper throwing technique requires pronation of the thrower's wrist during the follow-through portion of the football throwing motion.
Previous attempts directed towards devices used for teaching proper football throwing mechanics, such as training football described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,889, have failed to provide a training device which effectively assists a user in learning the proper follow-through technique necessary to achieve a tight spiral. While wrist devices have been developed to prevent a user's wrist from bending backwards, such as the bowling glove described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,720, these wrist devices utilize plates that are too rigid and would likely cause injury to a user's hand or wrist if the user were to attempt to break his fall using his hands, which is a likely occurrence when playing football. Moreover, these glove devices with rigid plates do not allow flexion (i.e. bending forwards) of the wrist during the follow-through motion which is necessary for proper football throwing technique.
In view of the shortcomings associated with existing football throwing training devices, there is a need for a device for training throwers to utilize proper mechanics when throwing a football which discourages extension of the thrower's wrist while also permitting flexion of the thrower's wrist when throwing a football.