Innocept Fumble Pro ® User’s Guide
Read all Warnings, Precautions and Instructions
PRIOR to using the Fumble Pro®!
Introduction
The Fumble Pro® is a training tool used to improve ball security for football players of every level
to reduce or even eliminate fumbling. The tool is designed to simulate the forces imparted on a
football that can cause a fumble during the game. Used during various drills in practice, the
Fumble Pro® will improve the player’s ability to maintain possession of the football during actual
game play.
Description
The Fumble Pro® consists of a Football connected to a Slap Handle sub-assembly by a lowstretch rope. When the Trainer activates the Slap Handle (as described in the instructions
section) a large, jarring impact force is applied to the ball. If the Ball Carrier is not holding the
ball with proper form the ball will be quickly pulled from their grasp (i.e. fumbled). The Fumble
Pro® can be used during various drills such as lateral bag work, ladders, high knees through
tires, etc.
a.
b.
c.
Figure 1 - a) Ball, b) Rope, c) Slap Handle assembly
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a.
c.
b.
Figure 2 - a) Slide Weight (with Grip), b) Handle Stop, c) Wrist Strap
WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS
General
INNOCEPT, LLC and all its affiliates assume no responsibility or liability for any injuries or
damages that may incur as a result of the use of this product, the Fumble Pro®. Football is an
inherently dangerous sport, and the user of the Fumble Pro® assumes all responsibility for any
injuries or damages as a result of using the Fumble Pro®. The user must adhere to all of the
following warnings or precautions. Failure to do so voids all warranties and may result in injury.
This product is capable of producing a large, jarring force on the ball (enough force to knock
down a smaller player) and should only be used once both the Ball Carrier and Trainer are
properly holding the ball and Slap Handle (respectively) and are ready to begin the training
routine. Never apply the Slap Handle when the Ball Carrier in not ready! First time users of
this product should start off with light and easy applications of the Slap Handle until they are
familiar with the product. Proper techniques for holding the Fumble Pro® are described in the
“Instructions” section of this document. Video instructions are available online at
www.FumblePro.com.
The Fumble Pro® is not designed to be used in game or scrimmage simulations, or in drills
involving more than one player. Doing so could cause players to become tangled in the rope
and create a dangerous situation. The Fumble Pro® should only be used in one-on-one drills
with one Ball Carrier holding the football and one Trainer (a coach, Trainer or teammate)
holding the Slap Handle. The drill should not involve the player moving in a manner where the
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Trainer cannot move fast enough to maintain the proper distance behind the Ball Carrier. Doing
so could result in the Slap Handle being pulled from the Trainer’ hand
Pre-Use Checkout


®
Fumble Pro Equipment
o Ensure the rope is not frayed or broken
o Ensure the wrist strap is not frayed or broken
o Ensure the lock nut under the handle stop is properly installed
 At least 3 threads from the end of the threaded rod
o Ensure football is properly inflated (12.5 to 13.5 psi)
Environment
o Use in an open environment free from unintended obstructions or obstacles.
o Make sure no one is close the Ball Carrier or Trainer that could be hit by the ball
if the Ball Carrier fumbles
o Always ensure that everyone in the immediate vicinity is aware the drill is about
to begin to avoid collisions or people not involved in the drill becoming entangled
in the rope
Pinch Hazard
Care must be taken to avoid pinching any body part between the Slide Weight and the Handle
Stop. NEVER place fingers or anything between the Slide Weight and the Handle Stop (see
Figure 3). When grasping the Slap Handle the user should always make sure they are only
grasping the foam grip on the Slide Weight and no other part of the Slide Weight.
Figure 3 - Pinch Hazards
Rope
Care must be taken so that the Ball Carrier holding the football does not get their fingers or any
other body part tangled in the rope. Proper form for holding the football is shown in Figures 4
and 5.
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Figure 4 - Proper Form for Holding the Ball when the Trainer is in FRONT of Ball Carrier
Figure 5 - Proper Form for Holding the Ball when the Trainer is BEHIND the Ball Carrier
Wrist Strap
The user who is holding the Slap Handle must ALWAYS use the Wrist Strap to prevent the Slap
Handle from being pulled out of their grip. To use the Wrist Strap simply insert your hand
through the Wrist Strap loop before gripping the black foam grip on the Slap Handle, as shown
in Figure 6.
Figure 6 - ALWAYS Use the Wrist Strap and ONLY hold the Black Foam
Instructions
The Fumble Pro® is used in a variety of drills where the Ball Carrier is going to be stationary,
moving laterally, or moving forward or backward, but not in a full sprint (forward through tires
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would be a good example of forward motion that is not sprinting). The Trainer will hold the Slap
Handle and can stand either in front of, or behind, the Ball Carrier depending on the drill to be
run, as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7 - Ball Carrier and Trainer Positioning
Once both the Ball Carrier and Trainer are properly holding the Ball and Slap Handle
(respectively) and are ready to begin the drill, the Trainer should move away from the Ball
Carrier to make the rope taut. The Trainer should hold the Slap Handle in a the vertical position
as shown in Figure 8, keeping the Slide Weight toward the top end of the Slide Handle (where
the rope attaches) and the rope taut. At this point, both the Trainer and the Ball Carrier should
confirm the other is ready to begin the drill.
Once the drill in initiated and the Ball Carrier is moving through the drill, the Trainer can
“activate” the Slap Handle by quickly “slapping” the slide weight down against the Handle Stop,
as shown in Figure 8 (similar to a “triceps extension” exercise) . The amount of force generated
is dependent on how hard the Slide Weight is slapped down against the Handle Stop. This can
vary from small motions resulting in light taps, to a large swinging motion of the arm that creates
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a very large jarring force. Videos online at www.FumblePro.com provide additional instruction if
needed.
Figure 8 - Slap Handle Activation
Once the Slap Handle is activated, the Trainer simply moves the Slide Weight back to the
starting position and makes sure the rope is taut again, and then they are ready to activate the
Slap Handle again. The Trainer may need to move slightly to maintain the tautness of the rope
since the Ball Carrier may be moving during the drill. Once familiar with the Fumble Pro®, the
Trainer should be capable of activating the Slap Handle every few seconds should they care to
do so. However, they may choose to simply keep the Slap Handle ready until they see the Ball
Carrier make a mistake (such as letting the ball move away from their body, or sticking the ball
out to keep their balance). This is up to the discretion of the Trainer, and they will learn what
works best for each drill and Ball Carrier. One advantage of the Fumble Pro® is the element of
surprise, so waiting for the Ball Carrier to make a mistake is a good technique.
Lastly, the Handle Stop can be adjusted by rotating the part and then adjusting the lock nut
underneath accordingly. This allows the distance the Slide Weight travels to be adjusted should
you want to change the amount of force the Slap Handle is capable of producing. For younger
or smaller players you may want to reduce this distance to decrease the force.
Visit the website www.FumblePro.com for tips and ideas on effective Drills to perform with the
Fumble Pro®. For videos that cover the product overview, instructions, and sample drills being
performed by professional and collegiate players, please visit the link below (available from the
Fumble Pro® website as well):
https://www.youtube.com/user/FumblePro/videos.
Inquires or questions, contact Innocept at [email protected] or 321-406-0556.
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