Concept
Goals, contents and methods
In 1998, Ball School Heidelberg was founded by Prof. Dr. Klaus Roth, Institute of Sports and Sports Science at Heidelberg University. A programme which was traditionally meant for talent development has become a sports programme for all children.
Ball School Heidelberg is based on recent knowledge of sports science. It does not follow the principle „the main thing is sports“. Its basic philosophy – which is unique in this way – is rather based on four key principles, which are considered as indispensable, non-interchangeable elements for all child-oriented support programmes.
The four guiding principles of Ball School Heidelberg
stage
„ Children are not
small adults! “
„ Children are
not specialists
but allrounders! “
„ The proof of
the pudding is
in the eating! “
learning
„ Skills come
with playing! “
Developmental stage – The goals of all support programmes – no matter what kind – should be developmentally appropriate. Firstly, regard must be given to the different competences kindergarten- and pre-school kids usually have. Secondly, and at least equally important, it is necessary to consider the children’s individual „talents“.
Versatility – During Ball School courses, children are supposed to learn a broad range of non-specific basic competences required in almost all sports games (integrative education of sports games). By using diversified material and exercises children collect varied movement experiences.
Non-instructed learning – Playing freely takes precedence over playing with corrections and instructions. Those children who are constantly being told what to take care of will narrow their scope of attention. Depending on the instruction, they will focus on only one team mate or opponent and be blind to the rest of the game. Children with a broad scope of attention will have more ideas and creative answers in several game situations! (playing creativity)
Joyful learning – The experience of an (unexpected) sense of achievement increases the dopamine flow and evokes happiness. That is why it is crucially important for the process of learning.
“ A child is a child only while playing ”
Friedrich von Schiller
The basic philosophy of all Ball School programmes
During all Ball School programmes, children learn the “ABC of learning to play”, developed by Prof. Dr. Klaus Roth after years of sports scientific research. The letters A, B and C represent three motor or tactical sets of competences, respectively. Just as the ABC you learn in school is the basis to build words and sentences the Ball School’s ABC is the fundamental component for successful behaviour in all sports games.
Ball School Heidelberg emphasises a diverse and playful, non-instructed teaching of general, age appropriate and non-specific competences. With non-competitive tournaments, including games and exercises played with hand, foot or stick/racket/bat, children are introduced to the world of sports games based on the model of the street-game culture.
Ball School for children in kindergarten – Mini Ball School
What are children in kindergarten capable of and what can they best be trained for?
| Basic motor skills (A) |
Basic technical-tactical skills (B) |
Basic coordination skills (C) |
| catching | determining the path of the ball | time pressure |
| stopping | determining the path to the ball | precision pressure |
| bouncing | determining the ideal position of playing the ball | complexity pressure |
| dribbling | positioning & orientation | organisation pressure |
| throwing | controlling the ball possession with others | variability pressure |
| kicking | recognising gaps (in defence) | |
| hitting |
B Learning technical-tactical competences
C Improving motor intelligence
Ballschule for children of primary school age – “ABC of learning how to play”
What are children in primary school capable of and what can they best be trained for?
| Basic tactical skills (A) |
Basic coordination skills (B) |
Basic technical skills (C) |
| positioning & orientation | feeling for the ball | determining the path of the ball |
| assuring ball possession individually | time pressure | recognising movements / positions of team mates |
| assuring ball possession with others | precision pressure | recognising movements/ positions of the opposition |
| creating a superior number individually | complexity pressure | determining the path to the ball |
| creating a superior number with others | organisation pressure | determining the ideal position of playing the ball |
| recognising gaps (in defence) | variability pressure | controlling the ball possession |
| using any option for scoring | physical strain | controlling the passing of the ball |
B Improving motor intelligence
C Developing technical competences
Versatility is trumps – Advantages of a comprehensive sports games education
A comprehensive (i.e. non-specific to a particular sports game) and versatile education enables a greater motor- and tactical learning progress than a more specific introduction into the world of sports games.
Many of the internationally successful squad athletes used not to practice only one but various types of sports until they found their favourite and established themselves in top-class sports.
A non-specific and versatile education makes children and youths not drop out of sports early again.
Versatile playing opportunities lead to moments in which children can experience a sense of achievement, increase the fun by dopamine release and enable a greater learning progress.
Well-chosen and well-dosed activities are the motor for the holistic personal
development.
Ball School Heidelberg – Quality over quantity
Ball School Heidelberg has been a success right from the start. Meanwhile, there are several centres all over Germany. It is cooperating with different institutions, e.g. with kindergartens, primary schools, sports clubs & sports associations. Our partners as well consider themselves as “advocates for an active childhood”. Due to its wide national and international scope, Ball School Heidelberg is one of the most significant sport scientific transfer projects in the world.
Funded scientific basis
Varied offers/programmes
Regular basic and advanced training
Various material
Continuous quality assurance
.
With the knowledge and experience we have gained over years, we have committed ourselves to turning kids into what they are supposed to be: kids in motion!