being a better spotter

[HTexan]

Can someone give me some tips on being a better spotter? Everyone seems to spot differently, but which is the right way? I am mainly interested in proper bench press spotting, but any other spots would be helpful. Thanks

[NoCalBbEr]

you should spot under the elbow with doing presses. never the wrist. the elbows. when spotting squats, squat with the person and put your hand under the rib cage. when spotting for bench. put your hand in the middle of the bar. with any spot you your judgement to spot. dont spot from the start of the set.when spoting for bis, spot on forearm/wrist. with any spot your job is to keep him going when in sticky spot and thats it.

[The Coach]

Can someone give me some tips on being a better spotter? Everyone seems to spot differently, but which is the right way? I am mainly interested in proper bench press spotting, but any other spots would be helpful. Thanks

Train lower back more

[MisterMagoo]

only lift the bar off the supports as is necessary for the guy on the bench. there is NOTHING worse than amping up for a heavy bench only to have the handoff guy practically throw/drop the bar into your hands. 

[Bluto]

check out the dvd power unlimited for an example of bad spotting 

[Montague]

Can someone give me some tips on being a better spotter? Everyone seems to spot differently, but which is the right way? I am mainly interested in proper bench press spotting, but any other spots would be helpful. Thanks

Always make sure to ask someone how they prefer to be spotted for a particular exercise. Many lifters and spotters simply assume that the other person is on the same page with them, and surprise is not a good thing, especially if someone’s going for a 1RM.

Aside from the preferences of an elbow vs. bar spot…

Some people only want you to start assisting if the bar stops moving.
Some want the bar to always be moving.
One PL’er I spotted told me, “Don’t touch the bar unless it starts coming back down on me.” Apparently, not too many people could grasp this idea, as I was one of only a few he would ever grab and trust to spot him.

Just make sure that everybody is clear on how the fvck they’re supposed to be doing things.

[tonymctones]

only lift the bar off the supports as is necessary for the guy on the bench. there is NOTHING worse than amping up for a heavy bench only to have the handoff guy practically throw/drop the bar into your hands. 

LOL no doubt sends your shoulders rocketing back and almost to the floor

also dont touch it until they say so, shit pisses me off when i have a rep and my spotter yanks it up for me b/c i struggle.

[tonymctones]

Always make sure to ask someone how they prefer to be spotted for a particular exercise. Many lifters and spotters simply assume that the other person is on the same page with them, and surprise is not a good thing, especially if someone’s going for a 1RM.

Aside from the preferences of an elbow vs. bar spot…

Some people only want you to start assisting if the bar stops moving.
Some want the bar to always be moving.
One PL’er I spotted told me, “Don’t touch the bar unless it starts coming back down on me.” Apparently, not too many people could grasp this idea, as I was one of only a few he would ever grab and trust to spot him.

Just make sure that everybody is clear on how the fvck they’re supposed to be doing things.

Good point i always ask elbows or wrists or bar when someone asks me to spot them and always tell them not to touch the bar until i say so.

[Geo]

check out the dvd power unlimited for an example of bad spotting 

someone needs to tell bluto that hands belong on the torso and not the ass when spottin squatters

[HTexan]

Thanks guys. One more thing tho. After the hand off, i prefer not to hold the bar when someone is benching, until the last coupe of reps. This is wrong right? Should i hold on to the bar the whole time?

[Montague]

I usually follow them through the movement, but I never TOUCH the bar until the agreed upon point of necessity.

Once I know they’re properly set after the handoff, I release my hold on the weight and follow the movement with them, with my hands usually about 2 inches below the weight – particularly for (but not limited to) heavier sets.

If they seem to have good control on something like an acclimation set, I may fall back some with my hands out of the way a bit, but I’m still ready to be there in half a heartbeat to grab the weight if something happens.

Never take anything for granted. Even if a particular set seems super easy, never let your mind wander – that goes for spotters AND lifters. I’ve seen plenty of accidents happen with “baby” weights.

[Montague]

I remember once a guy had 2 plates on the Hack. He asked a pretty strong female bb there for a spot on his set. She agreed to watch him, even though she knew there was hardly any weight on the thing. What she didn’t know was that the guy was on his last exercise of a super or giant set and was fatiguing pretty badly.

Anyway, the guy un-racked it, did a few seemingly easy reps, then damn near collapsed suddenly. Fortunately, she was there to help, but it caught her completely off guard, and I know she later admitted to not showing the proper attention the set deserved. The guy pulled something – it was minor – but this incident could have been better avoided with better communication between the two of them.
Doesn’t even have to be at all detailed.
Look:

"Hey, could you watch me on this?"

      "Sure, how many are you going for?"

"Not sure, but stay close."  


Simple.

[jpm101]

#1 rule for spotting the BP: Do not Tea bag the lifter.

Actually, when serious weight is handled, two spotters should be at hand. One guy can not always take control of the bar/weight. Coach is correct, one spotter is more in harms way than the bencher, at times. If a single spotter, consider the over/under grip to catch the weight. Like used in DL'ing.

If ever there was a mind game in action, it's with a spotter "helping" a lifter. Just being close by, a spotter (or two) can boost a bencher's lifting power greatly. Montague makes excellent points about the ABC's of spotting.

No one needs a spotter for squats, that is so bogus. Even saw some fool once have two spotters for DL's. Where have all the real men gone....I ask you?   Good Luck.

[MisterMagoo]

"no one needs a spotter on squats"?? hoo boy, anyone want to take that one? i'm not sure i have the energy.

also dont touch it until they say so, shit pisses me off when i have a rep and my spotter yanks it up for me b/c i struggle.

big time. i tell all my spotters, don't touch it unless it comes back down and if that happens, just yank it off me. i don't want to "grind" my way through. i don't do forced reps; if i fail, then i fail. get it the hell off me.

[Dreadlifter]

Listen to what the lifter wants.

PAY ATTENTION. Don't let your eyes wander over to the hot girl in spandex doing lying ham curls.

Esp when spotting bench - have a towel on hand. Last thing a guy (or gal) wants is you dripping sweat over their face while he's trying to lift.

[Montague]

#1 rule for spotting the BP: Do not Tea bag the lifter.

Actually, when serious weight is handled, two spotters should be at hand. One guy can not always take control of the bar/weight. Coach is correct, one spotter is more in harms way than the bencher, at times. If a single spotter, consider the over/under grip to catch the weight. Like used in DL'ing.

If ever there was a mind game in action, it's with a spotter "helping" a lifter. Just being close by, a spotter (or two) can boost a bencher's lifting power greatly. Montague makes excellent points about the ABC's of spotting.

No one needs a spotter for squats, that is so bogus. Even saw some fool once have two spotters for DL's. Where have all the real men gone....I ask you?   Good Luck.

Thank you, Sir.

[thewickedtruth]

only lift the bar off the supports as is necessary for the guy on the bench. there is NOTHING worse than amping up for a heavy bench only to have the handoff guy practically throw/drop the bar into your hands. 

pretty much..ask how the person would LIKE to be spotted...ask if they wil count you out, where they want it placed over, and wether or not they want you ON or off the bar during the spot.

[Beefjake]

No one needs a spotter for squats, that is so bogus.

If you don't need spotters for squats, are you really squatting?
 

Even saw some fool once have two spotters for DL's. Where have all the real men gone....I ask you?   Good Luck.

What... How can you spot... Oh, I've seen the Kamali picture.
First and foremost spotter is for safety. No harm dropping the weight in Deads.

[jpm101]

To me ( referring to this BB'ing board) spotters for squats is like have training wheels on a bike. Just roll the bar back and move forward quickly if you have over estimated you ability to handle the weight on the bar. On the very rare occasion that a knee may buckle (or whatever), one or both spotter(s) may be hard press to leap into action and catch the quick as a flash falling weight before some damage is done. Always amazed me that some will have a single spotter posted at the back, guiding and supporting (?) the lifter. Sure, that will work. Of all the options, it may always be best to squat with-in a PR or the 90 degree bars/pipes structure designed for squating.

If this was the PL'ing board I would suggest two able bodied "experienced" spotters when going for a single or two max. Though many BB'ers think they are Pl'ers, they are far from it. Really no need for spotters when only engages in BB'ing.

Saw two spotter for a guy doing around 350 in the DL. This was at a college gym (PAC 10) and the three of them were lab students.  All very serious when lifting. I am sure, in their minds, there was a logical reason for the two bookends acting as Spotters. If you hang around gyms for any length of time you will see just about anything and everything. Saw one guy who had to be stopped from squating because he insisted on doing them naked. Heard of ass to the grass but never nuts to the floor.

Anyone will require good spotters when benching, including inclines. That is common sense. No place to hide if that bar slips or you arms give out. I prefer a power rack or safety bar stop's myself. When I do benches  I will start from a dead stop (at the bottom pin position) for each rep. Pausing maybe 1 or 2 seconds at the most. This can build great starting push power, which quite a few guy's seem to be lacking. Seems to improve all around benching power, though may need a little time to get adjusted to. But watch you regular benching improve after a while. Can also apply this to squats. Good Luck.
 

[MisterMagoo]

pretty much..ask how the person would LIKE to be spotted...ask if they wil count you out, where they want it placed over, and wether or not they want you ON or off the bar during the spot.

placement's definitely huge. nick winter's blew his pec a few years ago because his handoff guy let go of the bar when it was over his nipple line instead of down over the sternum. of course it was a floor press with something like 625, but still.

[HTexan]

placement's definitely huge. nick winter's blew his pec a few years ago because his handoff guy let go of the bar when it was over his nipple line instead of down over the sternum. of course it was a floor press with something like 625, but still.

wow , that sucks

[candidizzle]

one piece of advice is never say godamn jack shit when your spotting somebody

dont go thinking its cool to be an idiot and yell like your spotting dorian and you in one of his training videos


as far as actuall spotting, normall i think  its best to wait untill he hits failure then to help him with the weight JUIST ENOUGH so he can get the rep...and keep going with more reps, every rep you only help JUST ENOUGH for him to get the rep, then once you are actually doing considerable lifting, try moving straight into negatives....... then when he cant even do negatives anymore, rack it, strip a plate, then hit it immidietly following the same protocol !   now, THAT, is true failure, friends. 

[Zach Trowbridge]

Saw one guy who had to be stopped from squating because he insisted on doing them naked. Heard of ass to the grass but never nuts to the floor.

Craig Titus?

[MisterMagoo]

wow , that sucks

the pictures were pretty sick. of course now he's hitting 675+ raw so hey. all's well.

[triple_pickle]

If you don't need spotters for squats, are you really squatting?

go and watch olympic weightlifters