This thread was born out of frustration towards all the lousy spotters out there in the gyms. Sofar I've met TWO good spotters out of everyone I've asked helping me with lifts. Here's a few things which are common mistakes imo.
1. Never Correcting Form
As a spotter you have the unique opportunity to study the form of the lift. Most spotters just say "ye thats good, push!". If someone is performing a squat and bend their back and the spotter does not correct this form then a few years later a disc might pop and the athlete is ruined. As a spotter it's your responsibility to make the lifter aware of the form you have issues with. This is not the same as forcing him to change the form. He might have a reason to perform the lift in a different way.
2. Help too much
Spotting is there to give the last help if the athlete cannot complete the lift himself. It's NOT about a lift becoming a duo lift where you help too much. If the bar is moving then dont touch it. Measuring progress if you help too much is very hard. If you help too much then the athlete might think hes stronger than he is leaving you on a bad road where he increases weight and you need to lift more to compensate.
3. Doesn't pay attention
As a spotter your FOCUS and your RESPONSIBILITY is to assist the lifter. If a wall collapses ten feet away your focus shouldnt be affected at all. Give 100% attention to the bar, NOTHING else should be in your mind besides the safety of the person you are spotting. If someone is talking to you while you are spotting kindly tell them to be quiet and to wait until you are done spotting.
4. Talking too much
Do NOT talk about anything which divert attention from the lift for the athlete you are spotting. Use short sentences that doesnt require process in the brain. "One more!" "Bend your back more!", "All the way down", "cmon push!". These are all good but getting a spotter saying "did you happen to catch the soccer game last night, Beckham dribbled past three defenders and hit the ball in the squarly in the cross". Stuff like this forces the lifters mind away from the lift.
I even had one telling me a ****ing joke once!
5. Lifting too little
Some spotters are afraid to help out even if the bar is going in the wrong direction and its obvious the lifter cannot complete the rep. The lifter shouldn't have to tell you that you should help to lift the bar. If the bar stops or goes in the wrong direction you help!
6. Not knowing HOW to spot
Some spotters never ask how they are supposed to spot. For example: If you spot someone squatting you dont try to help lift the bar, you put your arms around their core and lift up. Make sure you know exactly what to do before you agree to spot. Performing a spot wrong might cause more harm than good if you yank the bar in the wrong direction.
Hope this thread helps a little.
1. Never Correcting Form
As a spotter you have the unique opportunity to study the form of the lift. Most spotters just say "ye thats good, push!". If someone is performing a squat and bend their back and the spotter does not correct this form then a few years later a disc might pop and the athlete is ruined. As a spotter it's your responsibility to make the lifter aware of the form you have issues with. This is not the same as forcing him to change the form. He might have a reason to perform the lift in a different way.
2. Help too much
Spotting is there to give the last help if the athlete cannot complete the lift himself. It's NOT about a lift becoming a duo lift where you help too much. If the bar is moving then dont touch it. Measuring progress if you help too much is very hard. If you help too much then the athlete might think hes stronger than he is leaving you on a bad road where he increases weight and you need to lift more to compensate.
3. Doesn't pay attention
As a spotter your FOCUS and your RESPONSIBILITY is to assist the lifter. If a wall collapses ten feet away your focus shouldnt be affected at all. Give 100% attention to the bar, NOTHING else should be in your mind besides the safety of the person you are spotting. If someone is talking to you while you are spotting kindly tell them to be quiet and to wait until you are done spotting.
4. Talking too much
Do NOT talk about anything which divert attention from the lift for the athlete you are spotting. Use short sentences that doesnt require process in the brain. "One more!" "Bend your back more!", "All the way down", "cmon push!". These are all good but getting a spotter saying "did you happen to catch the soccer game last night, Beckham dribbled past three defenders and hit the ball in the squarly in the cross". Stuff like this forces the lifters mind away from the lift.
I even had one telling me a ****ing joke once!
5. Lifting too little
Some spotters are afraid to help out even if the bar is going in the wrong direction and its obvious the lifter cannot complete the rep. The lifter shouldn't have to tell you that you should help to lift the bar. If the bar stops or goes in the wrong direction you help!
6. Not knowing HOW to spot
Some spotters never ask how they are supposed to spot. For example: If you spot someone squatting you dont try to help lift the bar, you put your arms around their core and lift up. Make sure you know exactly what to do before you agree to spot. Performing a spot wrong might cause more harm than good if you yank the bar in the wrong direction.
Hope this thread helps a little.
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