Help against the lack of coaches
:Young judoka slip into the role of coach
Anna Allenstein, her brother Arian Allenstein and new coach Liam Hake (r.).
Photo: Georg Salzburg (salt)
Düsseldorf In the judo department of the SFD’75, young people like Anna Solostein, her brother Arian and Liam Hake train as group helpers in the children’s courses. This also helps against the lack of coaches, which also affects the club.
Anna Solostein likes action. For this reason, the 17-year-old from Itter has been an enthusiastic judo fighter since her elementary school days. At the SFD’75 she has long been one of the experienced judoka and has the blue belt. But it’s by no means just the spectacular lifts or throws that Anna appreciates about her hobby. The Annette student likes the mix of technology and athletics in the Japanese martial arts, which is originally referred to as the “gentle way”. “Judo is body control and movement with artistic elements.” Anna is happy to pass on this joy in her sport – as a young trainer in children’s courses at her club.
The offer for a change of perspective was made by her judo department head Sven Siebert. “Training young athletes to become trainers is a tradition at SFD’75,” explains the 32-year-old second Dan. Siebert slipped into the coaching role at the age of twelve. “Taking on responsibility early on made me more mature and helped me to advance athletically,” he says. In particular, his self-confidence was encouraged.
In the meantime, an acute shortage of trainers makes a targeted search for trainers necessary – also in our own ranks. “Our courses are full,” says SFD Managing Director Reismann. The club offers judo for children, young people and adults at three locations: in Benrath (Hospitalstrasse), in Holthausen (Sportpark Niederheid) and in Wersten (Mosaic School). The Judo Association of North Rhine-Westphalia included the SFD’75 in its state list of the 40 judo clubs with the most members.
Nine young people are involved in children’s courses at SFD’75 as group helpers. During a four-day training course to become trainer assistants by the NRW Judo Association, they were prepared to lead the playful warm-up training independently or to assist the kids with exercises as uke (partial partner). “Reliability and openness when dealing with children are prerequisites,” emphasizes Siebert.
Anna’s twin brother Arian, who is particularly interested in the techniques of gripping and lifting in judo, is involved in the role of trainer. “At first it was unusual for me to speak in front of the children,” he admits. He conscientiously prepares for an exercise at home. Arian does not find it difficult to be patient when dealing with his lively group of students. After all, the hobby photographer has specialized in birds for his second favorite pastime and has to show a lot of patience anyway when hunting for motifs in the Himmelgeister Rheinbogen.
Liam Hake, 15, has only been a newcomer to the youth coaching team for a few months. Urdenbacher sees questions from children as an interesting challenge. He definitely wants to acquire the trainer C license. In order to be able to participate in the nine-day association course, a minimum age of 18 years and the brown belt – the first kyu – are required. The latter is not a hurdle for Liam. He has long been wearing green, the third kyu.
