Spotting School: Helping Classmates Roll and Cartwheel
Students learn to spot three gymnastics skills: the forward roll, the backward roll and the cartwheel. In groups of three they rotate as performer, spotter and observer with a key-points card, building safety habits and responsibility for a partner.
How to play
- Set up three mat stations, one per skill, each with a card showing where the spotter's hands go. Demonstrate each spot in 3 minutes.
- Forward roll: the spotter kneels to the side with one hand on the back of the neck to help tuck the chin and the other on the shins to guide the roll.
- Backward roll: the spotter stands to the side, holds the performer's hips and lifts slightly as the shoulders pass, taking pressure off the neck.
- Cartwheel: the spotter stands behind with crossed arms and holds the performer's waist through the whole cartwheel, guiding the pass through vertical.
- Groups rotate roles every 2 minutes at each station and switch stations every 5 minutes; the observer checks the card and names one strength and one fix.
- Two-minute wrap-up: ask a few students which spot made them feel safest as performers.
Rules
- The spotter never lets go in the middle of a skill.
- If the performer says "no," the skill does not happen; no one is pressured.
- Practice spots slowly at first, with the performer helping.
- One performer per mat at a time.
Variations
Easier
Practice only the forward-roll spot on an incline.
Standard
Practice all three spots rotating stations and roles.
Harder
Have the spotter gradually reduce support while the observer evaluates.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: be the observer with the card and correct hand placement.
- Visual impairment: the spotter explains out loud where their hands will go before each attempt.
- Smaller spotters: pair with performers of similar weight or spot in pairs.
Learning goals
- Apply safe hands-on spotting for rolls and cartwheels.
- Take responsibility for protecting a partner.
- Observe and give feedback on spotting technique.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 12
- cards: 3
Teacher tip
The typical spotting mistake is standing too far away: the spotter must be close from the start. This lesson prevents many scares in later gymnastics lessons.
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