Basic Safety Spotting Techniques in Gymnastics

Safety and injury prevention in physical activity is always critical to the achievement of set objectives. Gymnastics is an aspect of physical education and sports which cannot be left out of this narrative. It involves natural body movement which range from simple to complex movements. Many physical education teachers do not pay particular attention to the prevention of injuries which find participants or students becoming victims of injuries which could have been avoided if the right measures were put in place. In the light of this, it was very appropriate to outline and emphasize on the need for every physical education teacher, gymnastic coach and gymnast to be equipped with the basic safety spotting techniques in gymnastics before attempting to teach, coach or take part in the activity. To some extent, students were shying away from participating in gymnastics because of the their perception of high risk associated with it, especially the vaulting activities. This book therefore will equip students, teachers, coaches among others with the fundamental spotting techniques so that those taking part in it will feel safe and confident when performing the basic skills in gymnastics. The book is divided into three sections with pictures and guidelines. Section one deals with basic safety tips, hierarchy of body parts, and centre of gravity.  the second section encompasses how to spot standing tumbling (floor) activities and the final section deals with spotting the running tumbling (vaulting) activities.