The basketball player in Lucas Eichborn comes to the fore in the jump-and-reach test. The 16-year-old jumps out when trying to reach the highest end of the flag made of thin, colorful plastic strips that hangs on a pole in Hall 2 of the State Sports Association of Hesse, while pushing as much of the elements as possible backwards Just like with the lay-up, only one leg off the run-up. His result makes Dominic von Känel's eyes light up: more than 3.50 meters with a body length of 1.95 meters. "For that alone," says the young national coach of the German Volleyball Association (DVV), "the effort was worth it."
The sporting director of the Frankfurt volleyball boarding school will make a tempting offer to the jumper from Rhineland-Palatinate. Instead of going basket-hunting for ASC Mainz, as it did recently, Eichborn will train with the DVV talents at Känel's base in the future. The student would like it very much. In his previous sport, he saw no suitable perspective for himself. Most recently, at the suggestion of a family friend who played beach volleyball with him during a tent camp, he had tried the net.
He still lacks the necessary techniques such as the two-legged jump.
But the national coach is confident: If Lucas is willing to learn, he will be taught this quickly.
For the first time, the DVV advertised a course for ambitious career changers over the weekend.
So for those who have previously swam or scored goals, but who do not have the perfect qualifications to land at the top.
Production of national players
Sports director Christian Dünnes is looking for a comparison with bobsleigh, in which numerous former runners up to the top of the world can be found as pushers.
Even under your own roof there are outstanding examples of how far things can go after a change.
One of the most popular is probably the world-class diagonal attacker Louisa Lippmann, who came from athletics.
As an additional incentive, the DVV offered in each of the four advertised years, 2003 to 2006, a bonus of 1000 euros for those who won the jumping power competition on site. “You shouldn't underestimate how much money you spend to produce a national player,” said Dünnes, explaining the investment. If only one of those we see now makes the leap into the squad, it will have paid off.
Not all more than 80 applicants were invited to the two-day action with ball exercises and test match, in which the association provided accommodation and meals, but only those around 45 from all over Germany who met the requirement profile for attackers and middle blockers in terms of body dimensions and jump height. There was also a lack of strong feeders or liberos, emphasizes Dünnes, but they usually have to start earlier. Nevertheless, as a first consequence of the prelude for male youth, which will be followed by an appeal to women in January, access will be made more open.
Nine participants are allowed to practice at one of the four DVV bases in Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Berlin and Munich. Regardless of the positive balance, one plan did not quite work out: Despite advertising in social media, mostly young people who had club experience with volleyball felt addressed. The fact that you saw players who had previously run "under the radar" is welcome, says Känel. But one would have liked more feedback from other sports.
Direct inquiries to professional associations were received differently, says Dünnes.
If you talked to the basketball players in the field of lateral entrants about a cooperation from which both could benefit, others worried about losing even third-class athletes.
“We don't want to take anything away from anyone,” says Dünnes.
Federal squad members from other sports were not allowed.
But if you get too difficult for high jump or don't have the stamina you need for longer runs, you can still become a top volleyball player.
“You probably have to contact the clubs directly,” says Dünnes.