What makes a good spotter?

I want to start a thread for a project(more on that later!) I am working on about spotting for off road trails.
Please add your comments as to what you want a spotter to do for you. What they should not do and what you do when you are spotting for someone.
There is a lot of good experience in this group. I want to tap some of that and expand it to make a reference guide.

Use directional terms driver / passenger - left / right is relative to point of view.
 
Explain the terrain you can't see

A good spotter needs to know the rig and the drivers style and capability. They need to utilize that knowledge to help pick good lines and be the drivers eyes. They should be competent enough that the driver does not have to listen to others. They should watch the vehicle and keep an eye on problems that are occurring or could arise from the task at hand. And they need to be willing to help move obstacles, pull cable, cut limbs and so on. There is much more but in the end the spotter is as valuable as the driver.

Like Ryan said, give directions based on passenger/driver. Also the spotter needs to know the vehicle's capabilities and the driver's. The spotter should try to stay visible if possible. But perhaps the most important thingni can think of is to have ONE spotter only, and only listen to that spotter. Too many folks yelling directions confuses things and can make a bad situation worse.

big boobies?

Must be Canadian!

or in my case drive a volkswagon....

I was going to say what Tyler mentioned- ONE spotter is all you need. if you want to help someone make sure you aren't yelling over someone else (or communicate to the current spotter/driver that you see a better line and make sure they agree to listen first).
Also if you know the driver is new to the sport make sure that they know to make SMALL adjustments when you tell them to turn passenger/driver.

I'll preface by saying proper spotting is made extremely difficult to accomplish when too many people get involved...

First, I never try to spot without first asking if the driver wants a spot...very irritating when over spotting comes into play.

Second, the driver should pick their spotter they are most comfortable with and trust the most...everyone else should stand back and study the situation as it unfolds...the only exception being when differing angles are needed to be looked at close that would do damage to the vehicle front and rear simultaneously.

Third, the driver should tune everything else out and keep their eyes and ears focused entirely on what their spotter is advising them to do.

Fourth, all involved...driver, spotter, and spectators keep a cool, clear head on their shoulders at all times.

Fifth, challenge the driver to the limitations of their driving skills and their rig's abilities, but never put them into a situation that would frighten them away from wheeling.

Almost always, if these steps are followed it will result in successfully making it through most obstacles in the trail.

Last edited by Z; 05-01-2011 at 12:58 PM.

Z

I'll preface by saying proper spotting is made extremely difficult to accomplish when too many people get involved...

First, I never try to spot without first asking if the driver wants a spot...very irritating when over spotting comes into play.

Second, the driver should pick their spotter they are most comfortable with and trust the most...everyone else should stand back and study the situation as it unfolds...the only exception being when differing angles are needed to be looked at close that would do damage to the vehicle front and rear simultaneously.

Third, the driver should tune everything else out and keep their eyes and ears focused entirely on what their spotter is advising them to do.

Fourth, all involved...driver, spotter, and spectators keep a cool, clear head on their shoulders at all times.

Fifth, challenge the driver to the limitations of their driving skills and their rig's abilities, but never put them into a situation that would frighten them away from wheeling.

Almost always, if these steps are followed it will result in successfully making it through most obstacles in the trail.

Last edited by Z; 05-01-2011 at 12:58 PM.

good job Steve.

Agreed. I think it's important not to OVERDO it as well. Even if it's just one spotter, they can talk to much or give too much direction and irritate the driver. That's obviously no good! It needs to be a communication between the 2, not just a one way street. Just as much as the driver needs to be comfortable with the situation, the spotter needs to be as well. Also, they need to recognize when they are no longer being helpful and step down to let someone else take over to get the driver in the safest and most capable position to complete the task.
 
It would probably be most beneficial to have a spotter who knows the sport & who has a bit of common sense too!
 
The list could go on and on and on.... :]

"no skinny peddel" she yelled it, wish i would have heard her a few secounds earlier.  I know Jessie is the best spotter ever.

Spotter must know rig and driver and must know what driver is willing to do and not do.

UH! HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS @#$%!!!!!!

Rutz don't you have some experience with a bad spotter.... or was that all you?
 
 

a team like everybody said.  but if your gut is telling you something you are not sure of check it out.  I get out and walk it over to see for myself.  You just need to find a spotter who won't intentionly have you wreak you rig for laughs.   Or better yet drive their rig.

chris89yj


"no skinny peddel" she yelled it, wish i would have heard her a few secounds earlier.  I know Jessie is the best spotter ever.

Hahaha thanks Chris!
Too bad the skinny pedal is your favorite one! ;P

crazydave


a team like everybody said.  but if your gut is telling you something you are not sure of check it out.  I get out and walk it over to see for myself.  You just need to find a spotter who won't intentionly have you wreak you rig for laughs.   Or better yet drive their rig.

Yep, walking it over yourself first is very helpful sometimes. Especially if the rig in front of you is more capable.

crazydave
You just need to find a spotter who won't intentionly have you wreak you rig for laughs.   Or better yet drive their rig.

Is this really a problem?  I could see someone following an inexperienced spotter and getting in trouble but intentionally leading someone into a bad spot?  That sounds like a good way to get shot.

I have seen this happen before when I was younger and had a cj and would go out to 360. Some of the newer guys that didnt know how to wheel would be struggling and someone would come and spot for them and get them into a bad spot to where they would dent or break something and then everyone would laugh at the poor guy. I dont think it would be too much of a problem with the folks here on the forum and in the club as most guys know what everyone capable of doing and if they care if they beat up thier rig or not. This situation is when you go with a spotter you trust and know. I somewhat had this in the back of my mind when we went out this past weekend. I didnt know anyone when we went out although I did mention before we headed to the trails I didnt think body damage was cool and didnt want to tear up my rig. There were a few times when I got out and looked at the obsticle first to get a visual of what line I would be taking even though I couldnt see it. There were a few spots where I was told to give it some more gas and had confidence in the person advising me that 1, they knew what they were talking about and 2, wouldnt get me in a situation just for giggles.