S
Stretchsportguy
To spot or not to spot? That, is the question.
Coaches are as varied on this opinion as they are on how much salt you should put on food.
Some coaches are limited in size and/or strength making the task of spotting too much weight for them to handle.
Other coaches simply break most skills down into drills that do not require spotting.
There are coaches who are fans of spotting and others who view spotting as anathema. They despise it and reject it.
Spotting can be used to supplement drills and to adjust and correct faults.
As a gymnast you risk potentially serious injury by being spotted or coached by someone who is not qualified, knowledgeable, experienced or strong enough.
Spotting is an art and requires knowledge, strength and experience. Any error in judgment could lead to serious injury. Spotting can protect the gymnast and build confidence in doing the skill until they are ready to do it on their own safely.
How do you know when to stop spotting a gymnast?
If you spot too much they will become dependent, but then how do you know when to back off in spotting? Is backing off early more beneficial because the child doesn't have a chance to become dependent on that spot?
Achievement, keeps the gymnast motivated.
When to stop spotting a gymnast is completely situation dependent. It depends on the gymnast's confidence, the difficulty of the move, etc. It is a decision that you would normally have to make based upon your feeling.
If you were my gymnast, you would be spotted on everything at some point. Not necessarily often. But every aspect of every skill is broken down and spotted for placement, direction, and position. Every aspect of every skill is spotted where possible. Then the skill is divided into sections where the skill is spotted at certain points during its performance. Then the beginning, and/or middle, and/or end is spotted. Then less, then BANG! They have it. Then we go back and keep touching it up. Emphasizing what we want by spotting.
What is your philosophy on spotting?
Coaches are as varied on this opinion as they are on how much salt you should put on food.
Some coaches are limited in size and/or strength making the task of spotting too much weight for them to handle.
Other coaches simply break most skills down into drills that do not require spotting.
There are coaches who are fans of spotting and others who view spotting as anathema. They despise it and reject it.
Spotting can be used to supplement drills and to adjust and correct faults.
As a gymnast you risk potentially serious injury by being spotted or coached by someone who is not qualified, knowledgeable, experienced or strong enough.
Spotting is an art and requires knowledge, strength and experience. Any error in judgment could lead to serious injury. Spotting can protect the gymnast and build confidence in doing the skill until they are ready to do it on their own safely.
How do you know when to stop spotting a gymnast?
If you spot too much they will become dependent, but then how do you know when to back off in spotting? Is backing off early more beneficial because the child doesn't have a chance to become dependent on that spot?
Achievement, keeps the gymnast motivated.
When to stop spotting a gymnast is completely situation dependent. It depends on the gymnast's confidence, the difficulty of the move, etc. It is a decision that you would normally have to make based upon your feeling.
If you were my gymnast, you would be spotted on everything at some point. Not necessarily often. But every aspect of every skill is broken down and spotted for placement, direction, and position. Every aspect of every skill is spotted where possible. Then the skill is divided into sections where the skill is spotted at certain points during its performance. Then the beginning, and/or middle, and/or end is spotted. Then less, then BANG! They have it. Then we go back and keep touching it up. Emphasizing what we want by spotting.
What is your philosophy on spotting?