SPOTTING TECHNIQUES  (low ropes & initiatives)

Spotting is a human safety net provided by the instructor and / or the other participants. Although spotting techniques can vary slightly from element to element the general principle remains the same. A spotter's job is to prevent participants falling from an element in such a way that they might sustain injury to themselves or others. It should be noted that spotting participants whose feet are higher than 1.5 metres can become impractical and be dangerous for the spotter.

Teaching correct and dedicated spotting techniques is of paramount importance. These techniques should be perfected before a group begins an element where spotting is required.  The correct stance for a spotter is with the arms up at about shoulder height and out in front. One leg should be ahead of the other and slightly flexed. With the other behind extended. The back should be kept straight.

A good means of introducing correct spotting technique is to have people working as a threesome. They should begin by standing in a line with the two outer people (referred to as the Spotters) facing inwards towards the central person (referred to as the participant). The participant will face one or other of the spotters.  The participant must maintain a rigid upright position with his hands clasped over his chest.

The spotters should adopt the correct stance, their hands only a few inches from the participant's chest and back respectively.  The object of the exercise is for the participant to full forwards to be stopped by the front spotter who will then push the participant back beyond the upright position into the hands of the spotter behind.  After two or three repetitions of this nature the spotters can move away from the participant in increments of about six inches.  Increasing the gap should only be done if all parties are confident in their ability and in agreement with each other. Everyone should have an opportunity to be both a spotter and a participant

An alternative means of practicing spotting techniques is to have a group stand in a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder adopting the position of spotters. A participant stands in the centre and keeping the body stiff and the feet "stuck" to the same place. They should allow themselves to be pushed gently around the circle. The participant's arms should be crossed over the chest. Members of the group should all have an opportunity to spot and to be the "volunteer" in the centre of the circle.

Spotters, if necessary, can shadow the movements of participants at all times whilst they are taking part on an element. Particular care should be taken on traversing elements like the Mohawk Walk and the Tension Traverse. The spotter should always be in a position to respond effectively to a fall.

Instructors should emphasize the importance of spotters, and they should also ensure the correct numbers of spotters for the exercise in use. Similar attention should be paid to spotter’s size in relation to the size of the people they are spotting.  This does not mean that only the larger members of the group should spot, but that good judgment from the instructor is of critical importance.

On certain elements spotting is less formal (e.g. the All Aboard) because the rigid techniques described above are impractical.  Nevertheless the instructor or other participants can still be of valuable assistance by shadowing participants and helping to soften a person's landing in the event of a fall.  If young children are to act as spotters, then the Instructor must decide whether the group's judgment is sufficiently sound for the degree of responsibility that the task entails.  If in doubt an Instructor many need to call upon the assistance of adults to act as spotters.

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