The foremost reason, of course, is that students would
be needlessly injured if allowed to work on faulty equipment. This same
consideration might become a financial one if needless injury occurred and
a lawsuit developed. The other chief consideration is that it is
financially much more prudent to maintain any sort of equipment in top
repair than it is. to allow it to depreciate. For instructional purposes,
equipment should always be in good repair. In general, it is an excellent
policy for the instructor to examine all equipment at least once each
week, and for maintenance or engineering personnel to examine the
structural aspect of the equipment once each year. Any needed repairs
should be made promptly.
Hoe to arrange
Exercise Equipment
For instruction in beginning tumbling, it is
recommended that the entire floor or instructional area be covered with
mats. Frequently this is not possible, but a minimum of eight 10 x 5 mats,
2 inches thick, is considered essential. (For class arrangement under
these conditions, see formations in the Appendix.) The heavy apparatus
should be so arranged to prevent the intersection of traffic patterns.
This is easily done by projecting and anticipating movements of
individuals both to and from the apparatus. In all instructional
situations the students should be kept in short lines, and
approach the apparatus from a designated direction. The
direction of departure should also be designated, thus establishing the
traffic patterns securely.
Use of Mats for Protection
Mats are much less costly than doctor bills or the
inconvenience of injury to students. Sufficient mats should be available
to place under the apparatus being used, and around the area if dismounts
are likely. Wherever possible, the mats should be cut to fit the apparatus
and protect the student from making contact with the apparatus itself, in
the event of a miscalculation when dismounting.
The Use of Mats for Spotting
Ropes and web belting materials are frequently
interlaced beneath mats which are held by six students to provide a
pliable landing surface for the student who is attempting a difficult or
dangerous stunt, such as the front somersault. Under these circumstances,
the mat is usually held about waist high and allowed to descend to
approximately six inches above the floor upon contact of the participant.
Should Hand Spotting be used?
In beginning tumbling, contact hand spotting and the
assistant are the most frequent modes of protection utilized, and, in
general, they are quite simple. The most frequent mistake made by
beginning spotters is that they give support to the participant during the
action of the stunt, but fail to upport him until he has regained his
balance and equilibrium upon completion of the stunt. Special attention
must therefore be given to the achievement of the balanced position on the
part of all participants. It must be mentioned, however, that free hand
spotting for advanced tumbling stunts s extremely difficult and requires
extensive training and skill.
