When the guns gather dust

In the lockdown, the shooters from Buchenlaub Buch also have other hobbies

Buch am Buchrain - The second lockdown hit the regional sports industry hard again.

Several Bucher Buchenlaubschützen confirm that the current training ban is harmful to athletic performance and the concentration required for it.

Many of them switch to other sports.

Of course, the corona crisis has particularly affected the top management, which had to cope with the new situation.

Popular dates such as the Easter egg shooting, the solstice celebration or the annual outing were completely canceled.

The sports activities in summer and autumn, which are associated with many rules, worked well, as several members say.

For example, only every second shooting range was occupied.

Marksman Marianne Köck (62) is also satisfied, but says: "It was really a lot of effort."

The fact that round competitions are held as long-distance competitions, in which each club reports the results on the basis of trust, was entirely in Buch's sense.

Köck had already applied for this for their shooters before the regulation was introduced across the board.

According to her own statements, the marksman herself trained very little this year.

"I was always there, but I had to make sure that everything worked." Some members stayed away from the shooting range because of the Corona situation.

The 62-year-old was happy about the regular visits of several children.

New young shooters have also been added.

Moritz Heinke has been with the Buchenlaubschützen and a member of the air rifle team for eight years.

In summer, the 18-year-old always attended the two training days.

The first shooting results after the first lockdown were a bit worse, but not serious.

"It's a bit like riding a bike: you wobble a bit at the beginning, but then come back quickly," says Heinke.

Georg Vital impressively proved that he was actually back on his previous level after a few training sessions at this year's royal shooting.

The 80-year-old won the archers who train outside when the weather is good.

After just a few practice units, the accuracy improved again in the summer, reports Vital.

“Basically, the guns are almost dusty this year,” says Anton Eisner about his training record this year.

In 2019 the Bucher finished second at the Bavarian senior championships with the air rifle.

This year, the 72-year-old was a little more covered because of Corona.

When the traditional shooter tested his remaining qualities in the summer, he was quite satisfied.

"I drank from my experience," reports Eisner with a smile.

"With the average, there are certainly slight limitations if you can no longer train."

Markus Kastl does not see the problem of the second lockdown in a possible deterioration in athletic performance.

The 43-year-old is more concerned about having lost members after Corona.

“The danger is already there, especially with the boys.

People have been seeing for months now that things can be done differently and without the club. "

The member of the regional league team was more reluctant to train this year because of the pandemic.

Kastl himself was a bit surprised about his own performance in the summer after the long break.

Anton Feichtlbauer felt the compulsory lockdown break more clearly.

“I was so bad at the beginning,” admits the 58-year-old with a laugh.

For half a year in 2020 he was not in the shooting range with his pistol.

"Most of them have to build up their concentration and routine again," says the second master rifle.

FOS student Lisa Garhammer was also a little less present because of school and learning obligations.

This was noticeable when she returned to the shooting range in the autumn, says the member of the second air rifle team.

After all, the 18-year-old was able to participate in a round competition before the new lockdown.

"You will surely need something afterwards until you come back in."

Through the bank, all Buchenlaub members welcome the decision by the Schützenbund to suspend promotion or relegation at this year's competitions.

"That is absolutely understandable and would otherwise make no sense," says Eisner.

"That's the only right thing they could do," agrees Kastl.

The 43-year-old misses the sport, “but if we have to do without something in a year, that's the way it is.

That'll pass again. "

Kastl's hobby, which is otherwise often neglected, is hunting.

Due to the compulsory break with riflemen and hunting horn blowers, he is now in the forest more often.

His wife Annemarie is the club's secretary and has already withdrawn from the competition a little before Corona.

There was less work in her office in 2020 due to the thinned program agenda.

In the spring, Annemarie accompanied her husband with their daughters Sophie and Theresa very often into the forest, together with the Icelandic horse Snorri: "We really took advantage of that in the first lockdown."

And how do the other beech tree shooters keep fit?

A lot is vital in the garden or in the fresh air.

The gymnastics course from shooting boss Köck is currently not taking place.

Instead, she goes for a lot of walking or cycling. Her deputy also goes on extensive bike rides in the community area and beyond.

Feichtlbauer also likes to be in the mountains.

Eisner has already helped his daughter build a house this year and is doing some strength and endurance training at home (“If you rest, you rust”).

Garhammer not only provides active support in the family beverage market, but also trains a lot in the home gym or rides in Hammersdorf.

Heinke went jogging more often in the warmer months.

At the moment he still lacks an alternative alternative to shooting shooter training, says the prospective high school graduate.

However, all members miss the contact with other club supporters, as they emphasize.

The board of directors has already turned to a conference call to stay in touch, reports Köck.

Other shooters cultivate closer acquaintances via phone calls or digital messages.

Often there are only random gatherings while shopping in town.

“It is missing not to see the people.

That's why you're in the club, ”says Heinke.

Eisner adds: "It's not just about shooting." It is still in the stars when the beech arborists will see each other more often.

“But it won't really get going again until spring”, fears Kastl.

 MARKUS OSTERMAIER