David Stralnic

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David Stralnic

David Stralnic

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SKLZ Disc Trainer

Senior Capstone 2026

Ultimate frisbee, or ultimate as it is known by the athletes who play, is a growing sport globally. It was invented in 1967 by high schoolers in NJ. Since then, it has grown from a backyard game to a global sport played by an estimated 7,000,000 people in 124 countries that has received Olympic recognition; however, there are no practice tools designed specifically for ultimate. The SKLZ Disc Trainer provides a solution to this problem. Inspired by clay trap throwers, this machine operates by launching discs to the athlete for the purpose of practicing game-like scenarios in repetition.

Ultimate frisbee, or ultimate as it is known by the athletes who play, is a growing sport globally. It was invented in 1967 by high schoolers in NJ. Since then, it has grown from a backyard game to a global sport played by an estimated 7,000,000 people in 124 countries that has received Olympic recognition; however, there are no practice tools designed specifically for ultimate. The SKLZ Disc Trainer provides a solution to this problem. Inspired by clay trap throwers, this machine operates by launching discs to the athlete for the purpose of practicing game-like scenarios in repetition.

Project Brief:

Design a product that automates aspects of ultimate to improve players' skills through repetition and volume

Skills:

Sketching, Prototyping, SolidWorks, Blender, Illustrator, KeyShot, Vizcom

Market Gap

Sports machines are popular practice tools in other sports. These products enable athletes to practice game-like scenarios in repetition. As a testament to their popularity, over 203,000 teams in the United States use Jugs machines, the products of top rated manufacturer Jugs Sports.

Sports machines are popular practice tools in other sports. These products enable athletes to practice game-like scenarios in repetition. As a testament to their popularity, over 203,000 teams in the United States use Jugs machines, the products of top rated manufacturer Jugs Sports.

Ultimate has no such tools available and as a growing sport there are more and more athletes looking to find a competitive edge.

Understanding the Need

Following interviews and a survey of ultimate players from recreational leagues to the professional level, there were three key insights for the audience of this project.

Following interviews and a survey of ultimate players from recreational leagues to the professional level, there were three key insights for the audience of this project.

  1. The skills that people want to improve the most are individual skills such as athleticism and throwing

  2. Due to team practice time being limited, the focus is team chemistry, not individual skills

  3. 75.8% of participants were interested in and would use a practice machine designed for ultimate

Taking this into account, this product must be designed for the athlete training on their own outside of their team practice. It must be INDIVIDUAL, PORTABLE, and AFFORDABLE

Taking this into account, this product must be designed for the athlete training on their own outside of their team practice. It must be INDIVIDUAL, PORTABLE, and AFFORDABLE

Three key insights from the survey and interviews for how this product would best help ultimate athletes were:

Three key insights from the survey and interviews for how this product would best help ultimate athletes were:

  1. The ability to throw at different angles

  2. The ability to throw at different speeds

  3. The ability to throw back to the machine

Design Goals

  1. This product must be able to simulate real throws meaning different angles, speeds, and heights

  2. This product must be easily transported by one person

  3. This product must be remote activated

  4. This product must be designed for individual use

  1. This product must be able to simulate real throws meaning different angles, speeds, and heights

  2. This product must be easily transported by one person

  3. This product must be remote activated

  4. This product must be designed for individual use

Moodboards and Ideation

3D Printed Prototypes

I developed 3D prints to translate my sketches to a physical object. I determined the shape that my design needed to take to best align with the brand language, as well as proper proportions.

I developed 3D prints to translate my sketches to a physical object. I determined the shape that my design needed to take to best align with the brand language, as well as proper proportions.

Cardboard Prototypes

I developed cardboard models based on my 3D prints to establish the real-world scale of the Disc Trainer.

I developed cardboard models based on my 3D prints to establish the real-world scale of the Disc Trainer.

CAD Process

I designed the Disc Trainer in SolidWorks to be a realistic, manufacturable product by taking into account mechanical and technical components and manufacturing processes.

I designed the Disc Trainer in SolidWorks to be a realistic, manufacturable product by taking into account mechanical and technical components and manufacturing processes.

Renders

The throw angle can be adjusted through quick release clamps on the legs, and the speed can be adjusted by a knob underneath the machine.

The throw angle can be adjusted through quick release clamps on the legs, and the speed can be adjusted by a knob underneath the machine.

The throw angle can be adjusted through quick release clamps on the legs, and the speed can be adjusted by a knob underneath the machine.

How it works

Power button to activate

Select for single right or left throw

Select for continuous throw

Select right, left, or alternating throw

Select time interval for the throw

Wearable remote to give the user full access to the back panel settings from their wrist

Accompanying product in the Ultimate Series line, the SKLZ Throw Trainer Net allows athletes to practice accuracy by throwing the disc through the cuts in the net.

Rendered with Vizcom AI

The SKLZ disc trainer is an individual, portable, and affordable training machine for ultimate. It can simulate game-like scenarios through adjustable throw angles, directions, speeds, and time intervals. Remote activated, designed for easy transport, and made from cost effective materials, this product is ideal for the individual athlete. The accompanying product SKLZ Throw Trainer allows athletes to practice throws and improve their accuracy.

The SKLZ disc trainer is an individual, portable, and affordable training machine for ultimate. It can simulate game-like scenarios through adjustable throw angles, directions, speeds, and time intervals. Remote activated, designed for easy transport, and made from cost effective materials, this product is ideal for the individual athlete. The accompanying product SKLZ Throw Trainer allows athletes to practice throws and improve their accuracy.

David Stralnic

david.stralnic3@gmail.com

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David Stralnic

david.stralnic3@gmail.com

Work

About

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David Stralnic

david.stralnic3@gmail.com

Work

About

Contact