Kickboxing in the digital world requires a lot of preparation, but it can be a success.
Erding - This is currently proven by the Kickboxing Club (KBV) Erding, which offers varied live training on the Internet for young fighting cats and also for adult members.
In lockdown, this is the only way for almost all 630 club members to pursue their sport.
Only the Erdinger representatives from the state and federal squad are allowed to train in presence under certain conditions, which the KBV is very happy about.
When the first lockdown and the associated sports ban came into force in March 2020, the club quickly agreed to offer alternative video streaming, reports Sportcenter boss Heinz Klupp (64).
At first, it wasn't easy for those responsible.
"We had never done that before and had to think about how we could entertain digitally and make the training rousing without an audience." Over time, however, the routine came and a similar extensive program emerged as in the current lockdown.
Klupp is visibly proud that his daughter Lena is actively involved in the club's operations.
The 24-year-old takes on the scheduling of the online courses via Zoom, takes care of the technology and looks after the KBV profiles in the social networks Facebook and Instagram.
At her initiative, some modernization and renovation measures were also carried out during the first lockdown.
When the popular sport was relaxed again, the kickboxers started in June with outdoor training and various stations.
In stages, operations in the closed rooms were restarted with a hygiene concept.
"That always worked out well," explains Heinz Klupp.
Daughter Lena adds: “Everyone was really happy to be there again.
The second lockdown was all the worse for us. "
Head coach Peter Lutzny (61) suspected early on that the restrictions would not end in December.
The KBV has therefore been specializing in the Zoom online courses since November and has tried to make them varied.
There are nine dates in the current weekly schedule, including two kickboxing for adults.
Various punch combinations or exercises for strength, endurance and coordination are given there, including the resistance band donated by the club.
Partner exercises, for example with another family member, are a new idea.
"You know a lot of exercises, but you have to think about which ones are suitable digitally," Lutzny and Klupp agree.
The virtual body styling is on Wednesdays.
In KBV special training there is always a different motto, such as Pilates or the Tabata interval program.
Erding's home grown Simon Zachenhuber has also presented excerpts from his professional boxing training.
The five children's courses for the very young fighting cats and the somewhat older all-stylers require even more intensive preparation.
“We have to be more visual and emotional here than in presence so that we can win over the children in front of the screen,” says Lena Klupp.
Her father adds that the training is “more adventurous” and that general topics such as snow are discussed.
Recently, adults were also allowed to sweat during parent-child training.
The only face-to-face sport exception applies to the eight Erdinger kickboxers from the national and regional squads.
Their exercise dates are permitted by the Ministry of the Interior - of course subject to conditions such as the weekly corona test.
Through a cooperation with the performance center in Deggendorf, there are four training courses per week.
"I'm currently more than satisfied, our squad people are not going backwards at the moment", reports national coach Lutzny.
During the entire presence operation last year, the Erdinger Sportcenter was corona-free.
Just a few weeks ago, three Erdingers were caught during federal training in Deggendorf.
All of them survived the virus with mild symptoms.
“We just have to live with this danger,” explains Lutzny.
The 61-year-old is delighted to be able to train with his competitors, because the competition never sleeps.
"If we were to shut down completely now, we would no longer be able to catch up internationally," he says.
Many other European countries continue to train, sometimes with fewer restrictions.
According to Lutzny, there are even competitions in Russia and Finland.
Erdings head coach suspects that tournaments in 2021 will be held more regionally.
The online courses are well received by the other KBV members.
Usually 15 to 20 people are there, with the fighting cats often over 40. The club itself is so far satisfied.
Heinz Klupp would like to see even more members turn on their webcam during training so that they can make corrections during exercises.
"And we don't feel so alone in front of the camera," adds daughter Lena.
The KBV hopes to be able to start face-to-face sports again soon - albeit initially only outdoors.
Heinz Klupp emphasizes the importance of local training: "Experienced trainers can only show their full strength in presence - like a musician."
Markus Ostermaier