Target training apparatus and methods including goal access

1. A hockey training apparatus comprising:

an upper blocking portion pivotably connected to a lower blocking portion forming a blocking surface, the blocking surface comprising a structural frame, the blocking surface configured to deflect pucks;

a goal attachment member coupled to the structural frame, the goal attachment member configured to attach the structural frame to a hockey goal,

wherein when the upper blocking portion is coupled to the hockey goal, the upper blocking portion covers at least a portion of the upper portion of the hockey goal, and

wherein the lower blocking portion is configured to cover at least a portion of the lower portion of the hockey goal, and wherein the lower blocking portion includes an extension portion that prevents the lower blocking portion from being pivoted into the hockey goal when attached to the hockey goal, but does not prevent the lower blocking portion from being pivoted away from the hockey goal; and

a coupling mechanism coupled to the upper blocking portion and the lower blocking portion, the coupling mechanism configured to provide the pivotable connection between the upper and lower blocking portions, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to allow the lower blocking portion to pivot relative to the upper blocking portion to allow the user to access the base of the goal to retrieve the pucks from within the hockey goal while the first blocking portion remains coupled to the hockey goal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distance from an upper end portion to a lower end portion across the upper blocking portion is larger than the distance from an upper end portion to a lower end portion across the lower blocking portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper blocking portion extends along an upper blocking plane from an upper end portion to a lower end portion, wherein the upper end portion of the upper blocking portion is configured to be coupled to a goal by the goal attachment member, and wherein the lower blocking portion extends along a lower blocking plane from a upper end portion to a lower end portion, wherein the lower end portion of the upper blocking portion is pivotably coupled to the upper end portion of the lower blocking portion by the coupling mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein blocking portion comprises a rigid element, and the lower blocking portion is not foldable or rollable upon itself.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lower blocking portion comprises a rigid element that maintains a shape of the lower blocking portion without being attached to a goal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the goal attachment member comprises a hook configured to hang and support the apparatus from an upper end of a goal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to a lower end portion of the lower blocking portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a releasable securing device configured to secure the lower blocking portion to the upper blocking portion, and wherein the releasable securing device is configured to hold the lower blocking portion in a position that provides a user physical and visual access to the base of the goal to retrieve pucks from the base of the goal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the entire base of the goal is accessible when the lower blocking portion is pivoted relative to the upper blocking portion, while the upper blocking portion remains coupled to the goal.

10. A hockey training apparatus comprising:

an upper blocking pivotably connected to a lower blocking portion forming a blocking surface configured to deflect pucks, and to at least partially define one or more target regions, wherein the target regions are formed as cutouts along the perimeter or openings in the blocking surface;

a coupling mechanism coupled to the upper blocking portion and the lower blocking portion, the coupling mechanism configured to provide the pivotable connection between the upper and lower blocking portions, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to allow the lower blocking portion to pivot relative to the upper blocking portion to allow the user to access the base of the goal to retrieve the pucks from within the hockey goal while the first blocking portion remains coupled to the hockey goal; and

a goal attachment member configured to attach the upper blocking portion to a hockey goal,

wherein when the upper blocking portion is coupled to the hockey goal, the upper blocking portion covers at least a portion of the upper portion of the hockey goal,

wherein the lower blocking portion is configured to cover at least a portion of the lower portion of the hockey goal, and wherein the lower blocking portion includes an extension portion that prevents the lower blocking portion from being pivoted into the hockey goal when attached to the hockey goal, but does not prevent the lower blocking portion from being pivoted away from the hockey goal.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the blocking surface further comprises a structural frame.

12. The hockey training apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the upper blocking portion is rigid, and wherein the lower blocking portion is rigid.

13. The hockey training apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the lower blocking portion is rigid such that the lower blocking portion is not foldable upon itself.

14. The hockey training apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes a hinge.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a hinge.