Automated practice target for goal-oriented sports and a method of training using the practice target

An apparatus for improving the scoring skills of a player practicing a game involving propelling a playing piece into a goal tended by a goalkeeper, comprising:

• a target support having a length and a height that corresponds to the regulation dimensions of the front of the goal, the target support having a goal-sized front surface for supporting at least two targets for the playing piece propelled by the player;
• at least one indicator light associated with each target for indicating at least one of the targets as a current target for the playing piece;
• a processing unit for controlling the indicator light to automatically indicate at least one of the targets as the current target by randomly generating numbers respectively indicative of the targets;
• and
• at least one sensor for detecting the player in a predetermined area in front of the target support, the processing unit being responsive to a signal from the sensor representative of at least an initial detection of the player by the sensor in the predetermined area as a signal to initiate randomly generating at least one number to indicate the current target.

An apparatus for improving the scoring skills of a hockey player, comprising:

• a target support having a front surface, the front surface having the shape of a hockey goal and including at least two targets for a playing piece propelled by the hockey player;
• an indicator associated with each target for indicating to the hockey player at least one of the targets as a current target for the playing piece;
• a processor for controlling the indicators to automatically indicate at least one of the targets as the current target;
• and
• a sensor for detecting the hockey player in a predetermined area proximate the front surface of the target support, the processor being responsive to a signal from the sensor representative of at least an initial detection of the hockey player in the predetermined area as a signal to initiate control of the indicators to indicate one of the targets as the current target.