Category: spotting

Bar Release Throw Pad

Essential equipment for high level Gymnastics.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gymnastics Spotting Checklist

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)
CSG New Zealand

teaching kids about UNSAFE touching

Parents of recreation gymnast needed to be educated about “spotting“, of course.

Jason Mortimer catches gymnast on Tap Swing

Yep. Coach was ready. You never know.

Tap swings (and backward uprise) are surprisingly dangerous, especially for kids who are really trying to get as high as they can.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Clemson has a Vault mat hoist

I’ve only seen these in the Nordic nations of Europe

Bars Shoot-over progression

Oddly called a “Bail” in the USA, one of the most over-spotted skills.

Do more progressions. Spot less. Teach gymnasts what to do when something goes wrong on regrasp. That should increase confidence.

Click PLAY or watch a good start on YouTube. This gymnast is not (yet) depending on a coach to show-up.

Rings Honma progression

There are very few progressions for Honma on Rings. This one looks worth a try.

Maloney drill – tramp Bar

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.