First ➙ are there alternatives to hand spotting? (eg. Throw mat)
Gymnasts will be more confident in their own ability when learning skills with a minimum of spotting.
Next …
UNDERSTAND THE SKILL
BEFORE YOU TEACH THE SKILL
Are you spotting for orientation? Or to help the gymnast complete the skill?
If you must hand spot, here’s a checklist from an older Canadian National Coaching Certification Course:
- GYMNAST PHYSICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, AND TECHNICALLY “READY?”
- INDIVIDUAL PHASES OF SKILL BEFORE WHOLE SKILL
- Safe landing is the most important phase for the spotter
- ANTICIPATE “NORMAL” ERRORS (eg. Under-rotation)
- Spot “just enough” and steadily reduce the amount of spot
- CONTACT EARLY AND “FOLLOW THROUGH”
- SUPPORT HAND AND ROTATION HAND
- USE GOOD EQUIPMENT (BLOCKS, BELTS, ETC.)
- USE SAFE SPOTTING PLATFORMS (eg. Uneven Bars, P. Bars, etc)
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