Sports training apparatus and method

A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sports training service is provided in return for payment based upon at least one of:

• per analysis performed by the system;
• per download of a software application to a mobile wireless communication device operable to assist to implement the system;
• on a periodic subscription basis;
• and
• per advertisement presented to the user via a user interface.

A method of monitoring and analyzing data indicative of a locations of a user on a playing area and/or a movement of a basketball during a basketball activity, wherein the method comprises:

• detecting, in a wireless communication device, a data signal indicative of a movement of the one or more basketball corresponding to a shot, the basketball incorporating sensors for sensing movements of the basketball during the basketball activity and transmitting the data simal to the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device including a processing unit, which is configured to;
• analyze the data signal and generate shot movement data of the movements of the basketball;
• compare the shot movement data against reference shot data;
• determining a deviation between the hot movement data and the reference shot data;
• and
• presenting an indication of the deviation on a user interface of the wireless communication device for providing the automated sports training services to the user.

A system for providing automated sports training services to a user, comprising:

• a basketball having a sensor disposed therein, the sensor configured to detect a movement of the basketball relative to a playing area;
• a wireless communication device configured to receive a movement signal from the sensor, the movement signal corresponding to a shot made with the basketball;
• and
• a processor unit configured to:
• determine a shot movement data of the basketball from the movement signal;
• compare the shot movement data of the basketball to a reference basketball shot movement data;
• and
• present an indication of a deviation between the shot movement data of the basketball during the shot and the reference basketball shot movement data.