Coaches New Rec Coach - How do I learn to spot and in general gain more confidence?

[Rookie Gym Coach]

I want to make sure I don't let a kid fall on their head! That's like my worst nightmare. Besides the basic spotting they're teaching me, I feel like I'm not truly LEARNING HOW to spot.

 

[coachsades]

Hey there!!

The best thing to do is to practice!! Use pillows at home!

Second, if you don’t feel you are getting adequate training, ask to shadow a higher level coach. Ask questions & ask for practice! Sometimes gym owners just assume because it’s “rec” you only need forward roll spotting, but that’s so not true.

Good luck coach <3

 

[Rookie Gym Coach]

Hey there!!

The best thing to do is to practice!! Use pillows at home!

Second, if you don’t feel you are getting adequate training, ask to shadow a higher level coach. Ask questions & ask for practice! Sometimes gym owners just assume because it’s “rec” you only need forward roll spotting, but that’s so not true.

Good luck coach <3

Okay, not even joking, I've been spotting pillows for YEARS. Like probably 5 or 6 now lol.

 

[TravelingCoach]

I’ve got a couple questions to see if I can help you.

1. How much training have you gotten and were you a gymnast before becoming a coach?

2. Does you gym follow a set curriculum for classes? (Eg. Beginner, intermediate, advanced)

3. What skills are you the most worried about?

4. Are you in a gym with high level gymnasts and (if you are alright with saying) what country are you in? I ask the second part of that question because some countries require coaches to go through courses to be given a level and those courses aren’t always relevant, useful, or adequate. Also, some countries do not require courses at all and everything is left to in house training.

 

[34gymcoach]

Talk to your supervisor. I’m sure they would let you come in and shadow and double spot things to learn more. Be willing to spend your own money to attend things like Congress (they have hands in spotting lectures), etc. I love it when my staff asks to learn and improve. You can also use the many, many resources online to just watch gymnastics. That will help your “eye” for sure!

 

[Rookie Gym Coach]

Talk to your supervisor. I’m sure they would let you come in and shadow and double spot things to learn more. Be willing to spend your own money to attend things like Congress (they have hands in spotting lectures), etc. I love it when my staff asks to learn and improve. You can also use the many, many resources online to just watch gymnastics. That will help your “eye” for sure!

OH! I would absolutely love to go to next year's regional or national congress and don't mind spending my own money. How can I qualify though? My manager and another upper-level coach from my gym went this year to regional.