The Importance of Spotting

Some of the activities presented at this website require participants to lift each other off the ground.  This can be dangerous both for the lifters and the person being lifted.  For this reason, you as the leader must be able to convey the importance of proper spotting. 

Spotting is the art of protecting a team member's head and upper body from the impact of a fall.   Spotting does not mean you catch a person when they fall.  It does mean you create a cushion, effectively slowing down their fall. 

Effective spotting requires all participants pay close attention to whats going on.   If the group or any member of the group is not ready to participate in an activity that requires spotting, choose another activity that doesn't require spotting.   

To be effective spotters, participants must have a high degree of trust.  If participants have been involved in horseplay or are using language (or other forms of communication) that take away from the feeling of trust, then you must reconsider any activity that involves spotting. 

Spotting is a difficult task to teach because the potential spotter usually doesn't recognize her importance until she actually has to support a falling body.

The following are pointers for teaching spotting:    

1. Explain the concept and meaning of spotting. 
2. Practice spotting with participants before they actually need to use the skill in an activity. 
3. Promote the attitude that teasing and joking about not catching someone has no place in your program.
4. The activities described at this website involving lifting require a minimum number of 2 spotters and depending on the skill and ability level of your particular group, more spotters will be necessary.  Supervise spotters closely. 
5. The leader must model spotting. 
6. A good spotter shares the responsibility of spotting equally.  It is easier and safer to work as a team when spotting. 
7. Spotters should stand in a balanced position, holding hands up in a ready position.   The spotter's focus must be on the participant. 
8. Spotters must cushion a fall, not catch and hold, and should move with the direction of force.