Spotting is a technique used in bouldering, where the climbers are close to the ground and ropes are not typically used. The spotter stands below the climber, with arms raised or at the ready.
Some key points to take note:
- When spotting increase your awareness of the climber and their body.
- Hands are wide open instead of fingers closed.
- For higher boulder problems you should use more than one spotter.
- Analyze the angle of all the holds and which direction they will be pulled on before the climber climbs.
This will give you an idea of where his body will be at those points and a better idea of where he might fall.
The job of the spotter is to direct the climber's to the bouldering mat and ensure the climber's head do not strike the ground first. This is especially important on uneven ground.
Do not try to catch a falling climber. This will cause more injuries to both spotter and climber.
Take spotting seriously, it is very easy for someone to get injured while bouldering.
Lets think as a spotter should always be used for accident prevention.
Personally I see a spotter as a help to climber to accomplish new climbing moves. The extra push and lift give the climber assurance to learn the move. And once the move is learnt, it can be usually be practiced and refined without extra help. And the learning goes on..
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