Category: Sports

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Sports

Powapass passes soccer balls to players for practice, shoots them out real good

One of the best ways to practice a sport alone is with a ball dispenser, like those used in tennis and baseball. Now, there’s such a product for soccer as well.

The Powapass shoots soccer balls out for practice. It can hold three balls or up to five with an extra extender piece. With a remote control, the player can easily adjust the angle and speed at which the balls are shot out. The battery is rechargeable and the product is lightweight and portable. In addition, it’s also possible to determine at what kind of interval the balls should be dispensed.

This product is excellent for soccer players looking to practice. The campaign also suggests that parents could use Powapass for their children who want someone to play with outside. Perfect if the parents are too lazy or busy to go out themselves. The limited ball capacity of Powapass is the only drawback, but it looks like the creators are looking to solve this problem in the future. One will cost backers a donation of $390 AUD (~$304 USD) with delivery in May 2015. Powapass is hoping to raise $55,000 AUD (~$42,900 USD) in funding.

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Sports

Revolution Hybrid Magnetic Golf Tee improves drives, gives way under pressure

Golf tees are an essential part of getting the best drive. However, their simplistic design hasn’t been update in quite a while.

The Revolution Hybrid Magnetic Golf Tee puts a new spin on the traditional golf tee. This product consists of a base that sticks into the ground and a magnetic tee that holds the ball. Since the base is always stuck into the ground the same way, the tee remains at the same height, making it easier to hone those driving skills. In addition, the tee gives way when the ball is hit, cutting down on resistance so that the ball goes farther.

As with many sports devices, the real question is always: does it actually work? The argument that the ball will go farther is a little doubtful, but the consistent tee height should be enticing to golf enthusiasts. Backers can have their very own on Kickstarter for a donation of $13 with estimated delivery in April 2015. The Revolution Hybrid Magnetic Golf Tee (whew!) hopes to raise $10,000 in its campaign.

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Aquatics Sports

Ride breaking waves like never before with the Uncommon ultra-portable surfboard

Staying connected to the swells of the ocean is the goal of surfers around the world. However, lugging around the huge surfboards that make it possible can be a complete drag. Having to transport fragile surfboards through airports or trying to stuff them into cars makes every trip an awkward one. Although bodyboards exist to mitigate that issue, the surfboard is the most popular method of experiencing the breaking waves, and the most lucrative one at that.

Surfer Michael Grau presents another, much lighter and smaller alternative in the Uncommon Surfboard. Billed as the world’s most portable surfboard, this 350 gram board is small enough to fit inside a average-sized suit case; a miracle considering how big even some bodyboards can be. And those who use it won’t need to worry about wipeouts as much being that there’s less for the wave to grab onto.

The Uncommon is looking to become an alternative to what’s already available and its impressive size and weight will help it get there given enough backing. The Uncommon Surfboard currently goes for $225 AUD (~$184 USD) to be shipped in May 2015. The campaign is looking for $2,000 AUD (~$1,650 USD) on Kickstarter.

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Sports

Flex Putter Trainer puts some panache back into the putt

Golfing is a classic sport, one that requires power and finesse at the same time. Putting is an important part of golf and demands delicate motions to get the ball to cooperate.

The Flex Putter Trainer is a tool to help perfect that putting portion of golf. This club is made from flexible material so the shaft is bendy. This way, it exaggerates each motion. If the ball is hit too hard, the putter will really knock into it, training the golfer to go a bit easier. It also works if the ball is being hit too softly. The campaign claims that this product provides square impact, so the flexible nature of the club doesn’t mess with the direction of the ball.

There are scores of golf trainers out there. What’s great about the Flex Putter Trainer is that it really focuses on the power behind the putting stroke and doesn’t need technology to provide guidance. One can be had for a donation of $100 for estimated delivery in February 2015. Flex is hoping to raise $7,000 on Kickstarter.

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Sports Wearables

You got game with Hoop Tracker wearable training system

As key as making consistent shots are in basketball, for most players it isn’t the easiest thing to practice. Sure, players can shoot around from all over the court and do so for hours, but that gets old really quickly. And even if someone has the motivation to put the practice in, there’s no way to really track sessions.

Hoop Tracker combines the training regimen for basketball players with technology to provide in-depth statistics like shooting percentages and locations, for example. A shot detector magnetically mounted to the inside rim of a basketball hoop works alongside a downloadable app for Pebble, Android Wear, Apple Watch, and popular smartphones. All of these stats can be uploaded for review to track strengths and weaknesses over time, or to be shared on social media.

To keep motivation up, training programs and games like Score 100 and Three Point contest have been incorporated, and an open API will ensure a steady stream of new ones. A coach mode allows the simultaneous tracking of up to 15 players. Basketball players are getting a lot of love with training products like this and the Shoot Natural Glove, so in combination they should all be a positive influence on their game. A donation of $50,000 gets Hoop Tracker out of the door and onto the court for a $39 early bird backing.

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Sports

TorrX pumps up your sports balls, won’t burst them

Balls used in sports need constant pumping to keep them firm enough to play with. They’re constantly losing air and, if too soft, can ruin any football, basketball or soccer game. The only problem is that traditional air pumps leave you guessing. Either the ball isn’t as firm as it should be or too much air is pumped in causing the ball to burst.

TorrX is a digital air pump that takes the guesswork out of breathing new life into sports balls. To use, just turn on and select whether the ball should be pumped manually or automatically. For the manual mode, it’ll display the ball’s psi. For the automatic range, input the optimum psi and it’ll fill it to that level. TorrX is long and skinny, perfect for throwing into any sports bag.

This is a great product for any sports enthusiast, athlete or coach who constantly find themselves with weak footballs, basketballs, soccer balls or any other kinds of ball. The battery lasts long too, boasting the ability to fill up 50 soccer balls on a full charge. For their own, backers can donate $45 to receive by June 2015. TorrX is looking to raise a whopping $100,000 on Kickstarter.

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Sports

Balance Training Bat transforms hitting home runs into a science

Baseball can be a fun activity for kids that gets them off of their gadgets and out of the house. As a bonus, it provides them with a bit of exercise to help them stay healthy. But it’s frustrating when players seem to strike out more than they actually hit the ball. So Balance Training Bat is designed to help them with their batting skills. There are five different models of the bat, and each model scales up to cater to the player using the bat, from little league to adults. The bat is game-ready, taking the physics of how much weight is needed on the backend of the bat to counter the bat barrel so that batters learn good technique that allows them to hit the ball more consistently.

As any sports training device goes, it’s unclear whether this will really prepare batters for the big game. However, if it really can deliver, baseball players will rejoice at such a training tool that involves more than just hours of hitting balls the same way. Backers looking to improve their swing may also want to check out LoadUp Pro. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000. For $80, backers get one Balance Training Bat with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Sports

Court Grabbers keep players from slip slidin’ away

There’s little that’s more annoying on a basketball court than when a tight score is making the game “up for grabs” and a dirty court is making getting traction a near impossibility. Anxious players lick their hands, rub the bottom of their shoes, and hope they don’t get sick later.

Court Grabbers restore traction to shoes in a quick, easy and safe way. Before the game or practice begins, the player laces the base strip onto their shoe once, applies traction gel to the traction pad, and slides it onto the base strip. It clicks in place and stays secure throughout the game or practice. Then whenever traction is needed, the player wipes the bottom of their shoe across the traction pad on the top of their other shoe, and dust, dirt and traction is restored to shoes. This means players have traction available at all times when on the court. When the traction pad gets dirty, just toss into the washer and dryer. It’s not clearly indicated how frequently the product should be washed for optimum game traction results. The product has been declared “permitted for play” by NCAA and NFHS, and is presently being used by players in 42 states and 11 countries.

This product’s appeal will be pretty much limited to its niche market of basketball enthusiasts, aspiring professionals and pro ball players. Backers looking for an easy way to tote all their sports gear might want to check out the Zondo Firefly Backpack campaign, and those looking for a way to monitor and improve their game might want to check out the LUUV campaign. For $15, backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015, if the campaign can raise $20,000.

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Sports

N 1 Putter Caddy keeps golfers focused on their game

There are few things in life that are a better distraction from stress and the daily grind of work than a good round of golf – until one can’t find their putter. So in an effort to restore golf to the relaxing activity that it should be, N 1 Putter Caddy was created. The aluminum, lightweight caddy attaches to the outside of most golf bags, keeping the putter safe from potentially getting damaged by other clubs in the bag. The easy access to one’s putter means more focus can be put on the game, where it belongs.

The putter holder is durable and requires only minimal installation, though it’s not indicated if any special tools are necessary for that installation. This product, while convenient, may only prove attractive to caddies who don’t choose what their golfer’s buy. Golf loving backers might also like to check out Range to Go and GreenPlay campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $25,000. Backers get one N 1 Putter Caddy for $200 with an expected delivery of March 2015.

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Sports

Shadowball offers balls-to-the-wall exercise with portable punching bag

Some prefer swimming, some running and others yoga to stay in shape. Then there are those who scoff at such tame sports and instead choose boxing. There are two elements to boxing: punching technique and footwork. For help with the former, check out Shadowball. This punching ball is like no other. Instead of being strung up in a large framework or by a chain, it’s completely portable and can be use anywhere there’s a wall. Just punch over and over again to keep the ball up as it ricochets off the wall back to you. This product uses some kind of special technology to make sure the ball bounces with an even rhythm to help make your punches more accurate. The creator, a boxing enthusiast himself says that it helps for a straighter punch since you’re angled right at the wall.

The campaign video does a good job of showing the Shadowball in motion and makes it look like the ball stays up pretty easily. However, the man in the video is probably very good, making it apparent that this product isn’t for boxing beginners. In addition, it doesn’t help boxers with any kind of right or left hook because it’ll only stay up with a straight punch. Still, its portability is unique and may prove very fun for boxers. For their own, backers will need to donate $140 CAD (~$122 USD) for delivery in March 2015. Shadowbox is looking to raise $40,000 CAD (~$35,000 USD) on Kickstarter.