Football Training Device

An exercise device is needed for football players and in particular linemen to practice proper technique when performing at their position during competition. The technique includes the players starting out in an initial crouched position and moving forwardly into the opposing player while pushing upwardly and forwardly and concluding the exercise with separation when the player has been raised to a standing position. The exercise device should force the player to duplicate the preferred techniques for purpose of maximizing the benefits of the exercise.

There are numerous prior art devices with which football players may perform different exercises. One of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,103 wherein an upwardly sloping track is provided on which a carriage moves. The carriage is connected to a pulley system for imparting resistance to the movement of the carriage along the track. This represents a very complicated structure which limits the players ability to simulate actual playing conditions. The structure is confining and limits footwork exercises prior to contact with the resistance device and limits player movement at the end of the resistance exercise due to the equipment located directly in line with the players forward movement.

The football training device of this invention includes a pair of spaced apart A-frames interconnected by an overhead bar from which a pivot arm extends downwardly and in turn carries a spring-mounted pad at its lower end. The player in a crouched position moves forwardly with outstreched arms and hits the pad with his hands and continues moving forwardly and upwardly while gradually standing up at separation from the pad which simulates separation from an opposing player. The pad is hinged at the top to the pivot arm and spring loaded at the bottom thereby avoiding risk to the players hand and wrist on impact with the pad. The pivoting of the pivot arm forces the player to use proper technique to gain maximum mechanical advantage. The movement of the pad through an arc due to the pivotal motion of the pivot arm forces the player to practice the proper technique of starting low and finishing high. The frame is attached to a platform on which the player stands and performs preliminary footwork drills. The player's own weight holds the frame in a stable position throughout the exercise. A dampener in the form of a pad of hydraulic cylinders is provided for controlling the return of the pivot arm to the lowered down position thereby allowing the player to move freely at completion of the exercise by executing a hip roll without fear of the pivot arm swinging back into him. The area on the opposite side of the pivot arm from the player is unobstructed allowing the player to move through and below the pivot arm if desired. A bracket with a post is provided on the pivot arm for holding the desired number of weights to provide the desired resistance.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the football training device from the rear as viewed by the person using the device.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken from the right side of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the football player in an initial crouched position with hands on the pad ready to begin the exercise.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the player having pivoted the pivot arm to a raised position with the player's body fully extended.

The football training device of this invention is referred to generally in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 10 and includes a frame 12 having a pair of oppositely disposed side A-frames 14 and 16 interconnected by a top cross bar 18. The A-frames 14 and 16 are connected to a platform 17 covered with an artificial grass material.

A pivot arm 20 is carried on a bar 22 and includes a pair of spaced apart arm members 24 which carry at their lower ends a pad assembly 26.

The arms 24 have upper portions 28 pivotally connected to the bar 22 and extend outwardly and downwardly therefrom and merge into downwardly extending portions 30 which carry the pad assembly 26. The pad assembly 26 includes a center pad 32 pivoted at its upper end to the arms 24 and a lower cross bar 34. Oppositely disposed side pad members 36 are mounted on a plate 38 secured to the arms 24. The center pad 32 is spaced from the oppositely disposed side pad members 36 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 to accommodate the user's hands 40. The pivotal movement of the center pad 32 relative to the plate 38 is limited by a spring 42 mounted on a stop pin 44 such that the initial force on the pad 32 is resisted by the spring 42 and continued pressure applied causes the pad to bottom out against the pin 44.

A weight bracket pin 48 is mounted on the plate 38 opposite the pad assembly 26 and is designed to carry any desired number of free weights 50.

A dampening system is provided for controlling the return pivotal movement of the pivot arm 20 such that it does not crash into the player at the completion of the exercise as seen in FIG. 6. The dampening system includes oppositely disposed hydraulic cylinders 60 connected between the A-frames 14 and 16 and the lower bar 34 connected to the pivot arms 24.

Thus it is seen in use that the player 62 starts out in a crouched position as seen in FIG. 5 and moves forwardly into the pad with outstretched arms and hits the pad 32 with his hands. He then continues moving forwardly and at the same time moves upwardly finishing the exercise in the fully extended position of FIG. 6. He is now free to roll his hips from one side or the other without the pivot arm crashing back upon him as it is controlled in its return movement to the lowered position of FIG. 5 by the hydraulic cylinder 60. The use of a spring loaded pivot pad minimizes risk of injury to the wrists and hands. The player will be forced during the exercise to use the correct technique since maximum mechanical advantage is provided by the player placing his hands at the lower end of the pivot arm assembly 20 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. He must move into a crouched position to do this. He is also forced to complete the exercise in a raised fully extended position due to the arc through which the pivot arm moves wherein the center pad 32 moves higher as the player moves forwardly thereby causing the player to fully extend his body by standing up and moving forward. The exercise is simple in design and free of equipment on either side or on the opposite side of the pivot arm from the player such that the player is free to practice preliminary footwork and to complete the exercise in a natural manner similar to that which exists during competition.