Apparatus for gripping sporting equipment and method of using it

A sports equipment grip system, comprising:

• a grip member having a virtually cylindrical side wall, a first open end and a second open end, and a lengthwise opening disposed between a lengthwise proximal cut and a lengthwise distal cut into the cylindrical side wall and extending between the first end and the second end, the lengthwise opening being configured to permit insertion of a portion of a sports equipment item into the cylindrical side wall, the cylindrical side wall being configured to snugly conform to the portion of the sports equipment item;
• a glove for a user's left or right hand;
• and
• an attachment means for securing the grip member to the glove;
• wherein the sports equipment grip system is configured to train the user in holding and using the sports equipment item with a relaxed grip and in a suitable position, by forcing the user to place the sports equipment item near user's finger base into the grip member before gripping the sports equipment item, such that the sports equipment item is gripped primarily with user's fingers, and in the relaxed grip by providing a supplemental grip of the sports equipment item exercised by the grip member.

A method of holding and using a first sports equipment item, comprising the steps of:

• providing a sports equipment grip apparatus comprising a grip member having a virtually cylindrical side wall, a first open end and a second open end, and a lengthwise opening disposed between a lengthwise proximal cut and a lengthwise distal cut into the cylindrical side wall and extending between the first end and the second end, the lengthwise opening being configured to permit insertion of a portion of the first sports equipment item into the cylindrical side wall, the cylindrical side wall being configured to snugly conform to the portion of the first sports equipment item;
• wearing the sports equipment grip apparatus;
• applying force to the grip member with the first sports equipment item;
• widening the lengthwise opening by applying force to the grip member with the first sports equipment item, the grip member having a shape memory and being flexible such that the portion of the first sports equipment item is pushed and received into the lengthwise opening;
• aligning the portion of the first sports equipment item with bases of the user's fingers, grasping the first sports equipment item with the user's hands, such that the portion of the sports item is held in the user's fingers, with a relaxed grip and in a suitable position;
• moving the user's arms while holding the relaxed grip and being in the suitable position;
• and
• making contact between the first sports equipment item and a second sports equipment item.