BLSE3242 Games VII:

Advanced Gymnastics

DMP, Spotting In Gymnastics

DMP help coaches:
• to organise and plan a balanced program.
• to analyze the complex skills better.
• to plan and execute bite size drills to work
specific lacking.
• find the most efficient ways to execute for
individual gymnasts.
• build confidence in coaching and also for
the gymnasts by setting more realistic
goals for continuous learning.
Discussion for Brain Boosting

• Understand the execution of the skill and plan all

the necessities through identifying what, where
and how DMP is involved.
Spotting in Gymnastics
 SPOTTING IN GYMNASTICS
Ø WHAT = physically assisting the
performer during the execution of a skill
Ø WHEN = throughout the entire skill
execution or at a critical time during the
skill.
Ø WHY =
Ø light assistance enabling performer to feel
the appropriate move
Ø better understanding of the shape/
positioning
Ø enable a gymnast to focus on an aspect of a
skill
Ø confidence boosting in executing the skill
SPOTTING IN GYMNASTICS (con’t)

Some coaches have their principles

to use spotting as:-
Ø demonstrate their prowess.
Ø substitute for inadequate or
unsafe apparatus.
Ø substitute for proper sequence of
lead-up activities (good basics)

** long term of spotting will lead to

__________ , __________ &
___________. **
Final Thoughts about Spotting

Spot or not the YES!!!

• To ensure great body alignment during
spot?! gymnasts’ skill foundation
• Critical time only for experienced gymnasts
• To overcome some mental blocks/ fears in
skill execution

• NO!!!
• Heavy reliance of gymnasts on coach for skill
execution
• Physical demand of spotting on skill
execution/ body size or weight ≠ Physical
ability of the coach
Tips for Effective Spotting

ü Have a clear mental picture & its critical

features of the skill (movement order,
timing and position).
ü Ensure a clear communication with the
gymnast/ participant
Ø Which side is your cartwheel
Ø Can you show me your dominant side
Ø Which side is your twisting
ü Establish the most effective point(s) of
force application (timing, positioning of
support on body part of the gymnast)
 Tips for Effective Spotting (con’t)

ü Establish physical contact

sufficiently early to your desired
outcomes of the skill execution.
ü The spotter’s base of support
should be close to the performer as
is safe and practicable.
ü Do not over spot. Reduce the
amount of physical assistance as
soon as possible
ü Follow through all spotting actions
Tips for Effective Spotting (con’t)
• Accidents don’t always happen in
the air!
• Here are the tips for
ü No interfering jewellery on either
performer or spotter
ü Gymnast’s hair should be tied back
ü Beware of loose arms and legs of
the gymnasts (Communicate
beforehand)
ü Develop both left and right sided
spotting skills
ü Predict your base of support before
the gymnast’s skill execution
(Communicate beforehand)