Grades 3–4 and 5–6 can try out judo
The boys and girls in grades 5 and 6 are excited: It’s about to begin. But first, they need to get ready: “Take off your jewelry, watches, and earrings,” calls out Yves Pasquay, the coach. In the new judo class, he wants to start by practicing falls with the students. It’s the second training session.
They can do judo just like the big kids—the boys and girls took to the mat with certain images in their minds. It’s called the “trial phase,” and it’s been offered weekly since November 1 through Christmas—including for third and fourth graders. “Chin to your chest and roll backward,” Yves wants to see. The exercises are going great. Everyone is having fun.
“New gym—new sport.” Dirk Konnertz, principal of Steinmühle School, is delighted with the new program at Steinmühle, which he planned together with Markus Zaumbrecher, the judo coach at Blista. This is only possible through cooperation: “We built the new gym for ourselves and our partners, and offering judo to our students is a project close to our hearts.”
Yves Pasquay is a children’s and youth coach in the judo division of the Sportfreunde Blau-Gelb Marburg club. The club is also home to the state training center “Judo for the Visually Impaired and Blind,” where Yves also serves as a coach. “The fact that we can benefit from his skills is a huge advantage for us,” says Konnertz. “Sportfreunde Blau-Gelb trains at the Steinmühle alongside the Unified team and several girls’ teams. It’s a win-win situation.”
A sport for boys and girls
The children are fascinated by this Japanese martial art. There are roughly equal numbers of boys and girls. They’re learning a judo roll and how to break their fall. Special attention is given to “professional leg sweeps.” They’re also practicing the hold. Pinning the training partner to the ground simulates victory over the “attacker”—the goal has been achieved.
The young martial artists quickly get the hang of how best to practice. Yves is in charge of the details and the finishing touches; he provides guidance, offers help, and shares tips. In the blink of an eye, the class is already over. The second day of judo practice is over. See you again next week! Meanwhile, the 3rd and 4th graders are already getting ready in the locker rooms. They, too, are looking forward to their second practice session.
Interested in judo? Just stop by!
Until Christmas, students in grades 5 and 6 at Steinmühle can still come to the new gym on Tuesdays between 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. for a judo trial session. The trial sessions for grades 3 and 4 run from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Anyone who enjoys the sport can continue participating; professional gear will be required later on.
