more than just sports

In the summer semester of 2022, the Academic Sports Service launched the "Buddy-Programm" - inspired by offers that were already being implemented at other universities as part of student health promotion in the Germany-wide project "Bewegt studieren - Studieren bewegt!". Thanks to funding from MWK funds (to support measures to reduce Corona learning backlogs) and later from QS funds (quality assurance funds as part of the student right of proposal), the offer could even be offered free of charge for several semesters.

Due to its popularity among students, we actually wanted to expand the programme further. Unfortunately, however, the QS funds for the Academic Sports Service were cut in the last allocation round, which is why we no longer have any funding available for the "Buddy-Programm". Since we are convinced of our offer, we would like to continue the "Buddy-Programm" anyway. Without funding, however, it is no longer possible for us to offer free participation. Therefore, we have decided to contribute 25 € per person (= 50 € per learning duo) to all participants, at least proportionally to the costs incurred. It was important to us that the offer remains affordable for everyone, which is why the Academic Sports Service is taking over the remaining costs for you this semester! The price is therefore below the average course fees!

The offer at a glance:

• The idea: two "buddies" (= learning duo) who come together to learn together can take part in a sports course at the same time at low cost. For their time spent learning together, the buddies are rewarded with one leisure activity per week.
• The goal: To improve mutual acquaintance and understanding, overcome learning deficits together, and increase motivation to learn together in the long run. 
• Conditions of participation: Only one sports course may be booked per learning duo. Registration is only possible in pairs. Regular participation in the sports course is required - after all, two places will be taken away from other interested parties! Furthermore, it is expected that you honestly evaluate the program at the end and provide information on whether it was able to support you in the intended way. You agree to the possible publication of anonymized survey results and the use of photos taken in the sports course. Please also indicate the subjects for which you want to study together.
• The registration process: 1. form a study duo. 2. choose a #notalone sports course below and register together (we have reserved course places for the "Buddy-Programm" in our regular course offering for learning duos, which are shown collectively below) -> no sports ticket/SportABO is required

Badminton Free Play

Badminton is a sport which combines skill with speed, technique and creativity. It is one of the fastest sports in the world (the current speed record for a smash is over 400 km/h!) and demands full body fitness from head to toe. Good badminton players have versatile coordination skills, quick reactions, balance, sense of rhythm and feel for the ball. On top of that good condition with high-speed strength in legs, torso and arms are essential to play successfully. In addition tactical understanding is very important, such as the ability to see and analyse different situations during the game.

Proper indoor shoes are essential because of the quick changes of direction, running shoes are not suitable as they do not provide sufficient grip and therefore cause a higher risk of injury.
Regarding the number of participants and available courts it is planned to play mainly doubles. Sometimes there might be short breaks when there are too many participants. The instructors take care of a regulated interchange of players and are open for discussions on techniques and tactics.
The playing time is suitable for beginners and advanced players who enjoy free play.

• Requirements: basic skills and experience in badminton or other racquet sports are recommended
• Services provided: free play, coordinating of interchanges during playing time, answering questions on techniques and tactics if needed
• Equipment required: proper indoor shoes (no running shoes), own racket and shuttlecocks

Beachvolleyball Playtime

If you'd rather focus on playing with new teammates or gaining practice experience for the varsity league, a game time is right for you. We will get straight to playing after a warm-up and one or two short beach-specific technique drills (for example on poken). Here we will mainly play tournament mode (two against two). 

• Requirements: You should have a good command of the basic techniques of indoor volleyball.

Beach volleyball: learning-orientated & competition Beginners

Bodyforming

The first part of the training consists of endurance exercise units approx. 30 min. in which the large muscle groups are kept in motion by endurance training. The cardiovascular system is trained above all.

The second part is a strengthening training of all major muscles. The focus is on the legs, abdomen and buttocks.
At the end there are exercises for about 5-10 minutes, which serve the stretching.

• Requirements: none
• Equipment: own mat, sports clothes, sports shoes, towel, drink (e.g. mineral water)

Boxing: Fitness

This course offers a versatile body workout and is an excellent introduction for newcomers to martial arts. Strength and endurance, dexterity and reaction are trained. During a 90-minute boxing and fitness workout, an average of 900-1000 calories are burned, which is far more than aerobics, for example. The course is for women and men of all ages.

• Prerequisites: none
• Services: Course, training supervision
• Equipment: boxing bandages

Cheerleading

Cheerleading is a team sport consisting of elements of tumbling (gymnastics), dance, stunts (lifting figures), pyramids (acrobatics) and basket tosses (throws).

The versatile sport developed from cheering on the sidelines to a competitive sport in its own right. Today, cheerleading is not (only) about cheering on other teams, but also involves national and international competitions between different cheerleading teams.
The teams perform a 2½ -minute choreography (routine) that focuses on charisma, synchronicity and showmanship of the individual stunt and tumbling elements.

Cheerleading promotes strength, stamina, fitness and agility, as well as teamwork.
Contrary to all preconceptions, men are very much in demand in this sport!

• Prerequisites: Experience in one of the areas (gymnastics, acrobatics, cheerleading or dance) is welcome, but not a must! More important is team spirit and willingness to participate regularly
• Services: Basic technique training
• Equipment: Clean indoor shoes / sneakers with smooth soles!!!

Fencing Beginners

Concentration, coordination, stamina and a good dose of nerves are what fencing is all about. The art of hitting without being hit is what makes fencing so difficult. The eye, the mind, hand and leg movements have to be brought into line with each other through accuracy. In the beginners' training you can learn the basics to be able to try out this fascinating sport.

• Prerequisites: none
• Services: Course, training supervision, training weapons and equipment
• Equipment: sports clothes

During school holidays the school halls are closed and there is no training.

Football: free play

The practices are for all hobby footballers who simply want to play football. At the beginning of each practice, we divide the teams and then just play football for 90 to 120minutes. Most of the time we play on small fields with teams of five, six, or seven players. Depending on the mood and number of participants, we sometimes play across the whole field. In principle, it would be an advantage if you already have some skills with the ball. However, players on all levels are welcome in the course.

• Prerequisite: Safe handling of the ball
• Services: 120 minutes of football game on a small pitch
• Equipment: Football boots

HIIT with Step

We mix bodyforming, HIIT elements with timer and give the hour that "certain something": For variety and loosening up, music is provided, which is suitably tuned to HIIT movements and thus invites even more to exhaust.

Hip Hop Reggaeton

Reggaeton is a style of music that has developed from reggae, hip-hop, merengue and other Latin American music styles. With Eda Yaka you will learn the hot moves of the Latin American style.

Hockey (field hockey)

Everybody, no matter if student or teacher, beginner, advanced player or even professional, is invited to join the weekly field hockey training of the Academic Sports Service.

Here the basic requirement is not the level of play or years of experience with hockey sticks, but the willingness to play and practice. The training is meant to suit everybody: the objective is to learn from and support each other, improve individually and as a team, and mainly to enjoy playing hockey.

• Requirements: interest in playing hockey, basic sportiness
• Services provided: hockey specific tactics and technique exercises for beginners and advanced players, various playing forms
• Equipment required: shoes suitable for artificial grass, hockey stick (if you own one, otherwise sticks are provided)

Muay Thai (Thai boxing)

Muay Thai is a martial art and the national sport of Thailand, which spread worldwide in the 20th century. In comparison to classical kickboxing, apart from boxing and kicking techniques, especially elbow and knee techniques as well as clinching are stylistic features of Muay Thai. A characteristic technique is the kick with the shin, which usually targets the thigh, the rib area or the head. Because of the elbow and knee techniques, Muay Thai is considered one of the toughest martial arts in the world. The punching techniques are similar to traditional European boxing. However, turning blows are also allowed, in which the opponent's head is hit with the back of the fist.

Due to the versatile punching and kicking techniques, the training in Thai boxing aims above all at a balanced body tension, strength endurance and a high degree of stretching and flexibility of the body. With regard to these training goals, Muaythai training also offers an excellent training for hobby and amateur athletes to achieve a very good fitness level.

• Prerequisites: none
• Services: Course, training supervision
• Equipment: boxing bandages, gloves and shin guards (for those who stick with it)

Pilates for beginners

Pilates is a comprehensive and body-conscious gentle training program.This intensive basic Pilates training is performed from the center of the body slowly and with concentration towards the center. Using a specific breathing technique, the interplay of stretching and simultaneous strengthening strengthens and stabilizes the deep abdominal and back and shoulder muscles. The training releases tension and blockages. It improves flexibility, helps to reduce stress and promotes the ability to concentrate.

• Equipement: big towel, comfortable clothes

Poledance for beginners

Pole dancing involves acrobatics on a vertical pole and trains coordination, strength and flexibility. The courses offer people of all genders the opportunity to try out the sport for the first time and learn the basics of climbing, simple turns and holding figures on the spinning and static pole as well as beautiful movement combinations.

Training takes place on both the static pole and the spinning pole   

• Prerequisites: no strong nickel allergy
• Services: Supervision, assistance and safety position
• Equipment: comfortable short sportswear, small towel, optional knee pads (floorwork or volleyball pads)

Chess

After 2 moves already 72084 different positions can arise - for the first 40 moves one estimates already a full 10120 different game courses.

Chess is easy to learn and difficult to master. But practice makes perfect! You would like to learn how to move the pieces and what the rules are? You always wanted to know what variations of the Sicilian Opening there are? Do you enjoy tricky chess puzzles? When you think of a fork, you don't immediately think of food? Or do you just feel like playing a game of blitz in a pleasant atmosphere? Not only in these cases you are exactly right in our chess university sports group!

In a cozy atmosphere we indulge in the art of "pushing blocks" and then recover from the mental exertion at our regulars' table.

We are happy to introduce the curious to the sport of chess completely and train occasional players, but also offer advanced and club players some variety and, above all, a lot of fun! In addition to our chess evenings, we are also planning a tournament this semester, in which you can compete with each other under competitive conditions....
Fancy it? Then sign up for our offer!

• Requirements: none
• Equipment: pen, small DinA5 notepad

Gymnastics for all levels

Kip, pike and somersault ? What do these terms mean? This and much more can be learnt in the gymnastics course. After setting up the apparatus and warming up together you have the opportunity to exercise freely on all pieces of apparatus. The trainers are happy to assist and advise you. Everybody who is interested in regular training, no matter if beginner or competitive gymnast, is invited to join the course.

Without any previous experience you are best off in the beginner courses on Tuesday.

• Prerequisites: no respiratory diseases, no corona quarantine.
• Equipment: own mat, sports clothes, sports shoes, towel, drink (e.g. mineral water)

Ultimate Frisbee for beginners

Ultimate Frisbee is a team sport in which men and women play together. It is fair (even without referees!), fast, competitive and spectacular.
In this course you will learn throwing techniques, running routes and tactics for all variations of ultimate frisbee: grass, indoor and beach.

• Services provided: frisbees are provided
• Equipment required: shoes suitable for grass / indoor shoes, black and white t-shirt suitable for sport

Volleyball Learning-oriented B/C

Learning-oriented courses are the right place for students who want to learn the technically demanding sport game of volleyball from scratch through regular training. A,B +C denote different levels from absolute beginner to expert, sometimes in the mixes A/B or B/C.

The B course is the right one for you, if you are able to hit and dig with confidence and if you are able to get the ball over the net, i.e. if you can really play the ball where you want it to go. With a successful participation in the A course you are also right in this course. Goals: To bring structure into the game, to improve the attack and the serve. Where do I stand on the field and when?

In the C course, all experienced players are welcome who have already gained advanced technique and tactics (runner system) experience in the club or in university sports. Since we want to participate in mixed tournaments, this is an absolute requirement.

It is important to register at the "right level" and be willing to attend regularly.

• Equipment: indoor sneakers, sportswear, possibly knee pads if needed.