Home-Made Spotting Harness

[Bill C.]

It didn't seem like it would be too difficult to build a spotting harness for practicing flips -- so I set out to make one.  Below you will see a few photos of it.  I bought a 2" wide heavy-nylon utility belt, four quick links, two eye bolts, some washers, two short lengths of chain, and two short lengths of pvc pipe.  Oh yeah... and some Loctite.  Might do a tutorial with specific sizes when I get a chance.  Cost me about $25 - everything purchased at Home Depot.

So the idea is to have the flipper wear the belt with a spotter at his sides.    The spotters hold the pipe (light-weight pvc, but strong due to the short length) palms up and facing the flipper.  (I figure bicep & shoulder strength is best for the spotting.)  The chain extension is optional.  I suspect the closer the handles are to the flipper the better it will be for strength and leverage in spotting.  Links and chain specs are good for about 600 lbs on each side -- or a 1200 lb. person.

I realize that this spotting belt probably cannot be used to spot someone jumping sky high leading up to the flip, but it should work for lower jumps.  The optional 1 ft. chain extension can be added -- doubled over for only a 6 inch extension.  And I know some of you are probably thinking "You whussy!  Just go for it!!" -- but I think I would prefer trying it this way, first.    

Now I just need to find two friends.  Maybe we'll have some flipping practice on BockNYC '08 Friday night.

[Zan]

looks good and well crafted to me, not exactly sure how its used though, not too sure how spotting works eather, mabey thats why... :p

[Bill C.]

Good.  We'll experiment on you.

[XarnuSonci]

i think its time for that double back zan!

looks good bill, pick a weekend and i'll see what i can do to get down there, i'm sure dom will want to give that a go.

[Zan]

yeash, im a bit scared of flipping, we'll see about that, be sure to bring my coffin along when we do go....

[dominion]

Bill, I'm in.  I think that a few modifications may be necessary, for additonal support.... specifically a climbers harness knot.  I'll give you some details on it tomorrow.  I'm going to sleep now.

[Pendragon]

I'll try it!

[ferretmadboy2]

kool home made spotting harness =]

[ElectricStapler]

Thats nice, looks like it swivels when there is rotation?
What did you wrap around the handle?
I like what you've done there! Now We just have to see how to make it work

[Charlie B]

Bill

Didn`t realise you were in New York, over there on a 7 day jaunt last week

[Bill C.]

Thats nice, looks like it swivels when there is rotation?
What did you wrap around the handle?

Thanks.  It does swivel for rotations so nothing binds.  I just wrapped some black hockey tape around the pipe for grip and will finish it off with some end caps.  (Forgot to buy those while at Home Depot.)

Didn`t realise you were in New York, over there on a 7 day jaunt last week

Actually, I'm about 40 minutes outside NYC by train on Long Island.  Hope you enjoyed your visit.  What did you do during your week?

[BackB0NE]

How did this work out?


From the pictures, it looks like you will want to add some padding around the rings on the belt. Those will have a tendency to dig and pinch. You may want to sew a loop in the belt for the rings so they won’t slide around.

You may want to add padding all the way around especially around the clip. You will want it tight on you and it will have a tendency to dig up into you depending on how you land.

Practice with the rigging before attempting to do anything. Both the spotters and the jumpers have to get comfortable with the system. Spotters need to know when to give enough slack and when to catch. And for the jumpers, to trust their spotters, and not get distracted by the jangling of the chains next to them as it flops around when they jump

If you’re the jumper, just get ready to have your gut sucked up a few times for your spotters to get used to your weight.

For the belt, a climbing harness would be a lot more comfortable, granted a bit more expensive. You would still need to make the same modifications to either of the belts to make it work effectively. The climbing harness is designed to hold your weight like you were slung in a basket compared to spotting belts where they hold you from the side. Typically, you need to have a leg harness to hold the belt down so it doens't ride up when vertical stress is applied.

I’m not sure about the doubling of the chain. I would naturally prefer one solid chain to do the job with the same weight load as the doubled, so less likely to bind. I understand the desire for flexibility. What about another swivel on the belt side?

I like the low cost approach and the flexibility to spot anyone, anywhere.

[Bill C.]

Well, unfortunately, testing has not taken place yet.  Too many work related projects spilling into my evenings and weekends are going on at the moment.  But I hope to get back to it soon.  Thanks for the suggestions.

[coachgeo]

Well shoot..... my whole responce is gone.  Wher did it go?

Crap..... ok I'll try it again. 

A few suggestions

. No handle; just a rope or strap.  The spotting method used with a rig like this is for the spotters to face the direction of flip. They hold as near to the belt on  the end of rope as they can BUT...... often this nearest point is nearly 2 to 3 feet away.  Has to be so tricker can bong around freely thru a broad range of motion (ROM). As the tricker takes off and begins exicuting a skill the spotter slides one hand along the strap and grabs firmly as close to the belt as they can reach and latches on tightly.  While grasped firmly they take some of your weight, move you thru the air to do the skill for you; if your execution is poor, hold you up off your head etc

Also the handle as you have it will encourage the spotter to face the trickers side.  This will be their weakest position.  There will be forces pulling them INTO the tricker and with the feet planted like they will be when facing you they have less chance of working against that force.

. longer leads (ropes, straps) from belt to spotter.  3 to 4 feet.  you need that distance for ROM (range of motion) such as your prep bounces to the skill.

. Comfortable ROPE or straping that is not slick. Something that won't want to pull out of spotters hands and rope burn them.  Chain??  not seeing that as workable at all. 

typical belt on BELT  page

typical straps on Spot Strap/Rope page

[coachgeo]

It didn't seem like it would be too difficult to build a spotting harness for practicing flips -- ....

Seat belt out of a wrecked car.  Get both sides of the latch.   Go to an upolstry shop to sew the belt together and make you pads.  Make sure all sewing uses the "seat belt" stich.  Im sure their is a more proper name for it.  Basicaly it is a box of stich with an X of stich inside it. Its done with no break in the stich

Seat belt is easy to get on and off the tricker and usualy nicely adjustable.