A method of crossing-training by a sports player to develop skills in striking a target using a sports implement, wherein the sports implement is a baseball bat, a softball bat, a golf club, or a hockey stick, to hit a restricted-flight baseball, a restricted-flight softball, a restricted-flight golf ball, or a plastic hockey puck, respectively, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a self-contained cross-training apparatus comprising:
- a support assembly, further comprising:
- a bucket having a bottom and a rim;
- a flanged base attached to the inside bottom of the bucket, wherein the flanged base extends upwardly and terminates in a flange socket;
- a bucket vertical member;
- a support coupling;
- and
- a bucket lid having an aperture centered in the bucket lid;
- a vertical standard assembly, further comprising:
- a lower vertical section having a lower end and an upper end;
- an upper vertical section having an uppervertical section lower end and an upper vertical section upper end;
- a vertical standard coupling;
- a conversion section having a conversion section lower end and a conversion section upper end;
- a conversion coupling;
- and
- a tee;
- a horizontal arm assembly having two ends, the horizontal arm assembly further comprising:
- a horizontal section having a proximate end adjacent the vertical standard assembly and a distal end;
- and
- an insert disposed within the distal end of the horizontal section, wherein the insert further comprises a first plastic insulator and a second plastic insulator threaded onto a threaded bolt so the first plastic insulator resides within the horizontal section and the second plastic insulator extends outwardly from the distal end of the horizontal section;
- a first tethered target assembly for use by a softball player with a softball bat, the first tethered target assembly further comprising:
- a flexible line having a loop at one end and a knot supporting a restricted-flight softball at the other end, wherein the loop is rotatably attached to the horizontal arm assembly, so that, when the batter strikes the restricted-flight softball with the softball bat, the restricted-flight softball travels in a path around the horizontal arm assembly;
- a second tethered target assembly for use by a baseball player with a baseball bat, the second tethered target assembly further comprising:
- a flexible line having a loop at one end and a knot supporting a restricted-flight baseball at the other end, wherein the loop is rotatably attached to the horizontal arm assembly, so that, when the batter strikes the restricted-flight baseball with the baseball bat, the restricted-flight baseball travels in a path around the horizontal arm assembly;
- a third tethered target assembly for use by a golfer with a golf club, the third tethered target assembly further comprising:
- a flexible line having a loop at one end and a knot supporting a restricted-flight golf ball at the other end, wherein the loop is rotatably attached to the horizontal arm assembly, so that, when the golfer strikes the restricted-flight golf ball with the golf club, the restricted-flight golf ball travels in a path around the horizontal arm assembly;
- and
- a fourth tethered target assembly for use by a hockey player with a hockey stick, the fourth tethered target assembly further comprising:
- a flexible line having a loop at one end and a knot supporting a plastic hockey puck at the other end, wherein the loop is rotatably attached to the horizontal arm assembly, so that, when the hockey player strikes the plastic hockey puck with the hockey stick, the plastic hockey puck travels in a path around the horizontal arm assembly;
- and
- wherein the vertical standard assembly, the horizontal arm assembly, and the tethered target assemblies are stored within the support assembly;
- assembling the support assembly;
- selecting a configuration for the vertical standard assembly from among a standard height configuration, an elevated height configuration, a lower height configuration, and a minimum height configuration;
- assembly the vertical standard assembly in accordance with the selected height configuration;
- attaching the vertical standard assembly to the support assembly;
- attaching the horizontal arm assembly to the tee of the vertical standard assembly;
- selecting a tethered target assembly from among the first, second, third, and fourth tethered target assemblies;
- attaching the tethered target assembly to the second plastic insulator extending outwardly from the distal end of the horizontal section;
- striking the tethered target using the appropriate sports implement so the tethered target moves in a path around the horizontal section;
- and
- repeating the striking step.