I remember learning how to read in elementary school, a skill that I have long since taken for granted. Our first book was the “See Spot” series taking us step by step through the reading process. What do a dog and a kid’s story have to do with strength and conditioning? Many times, we as Coaches take things for granted. I know I certainly have. I will never forget my first team training session when an athlete nearly dropped a dumbbell on his foot. Boy was I mad, first at the athlete, then shortly after, at myself. I remember thinking out loud: “That’s my fault, I have never taught my athletes how to spot.” What if your schoolteacher skipped the “See Spot” series and went straight into science fiction novels? It’s the same as putting iron and chalk into a testosterone fueled high school athletes hands without properly teaching them where to be in the weight room for maximal safety and how to spot their peers handling the weight.

Since that day, before any Athletic Development Program commences, all participating athletes are versed on safety, how to spot effectively, when to grab the bar and body positioning during major lifts. It has served our large group programs extremely well and enhanced the team/family environment that we promote, and most importantly safety in the weight room. Below are several lifts and the corresponding instructions that we give to our athletes’ at Donskov Strength and Conditioning.

Spotting 101

Bench Press

Dumbbell Press

Front Squat/RFESS

Olympic Lifts

Our number one goal as strength coaches is to promote safety in program design and facility atmosphere. It does no good to have strong, injured athletes. It’s imperative that we don’t overlook the simple steps. What we may think is obvious to our athletes, may not be. It’s the equivalent of a bad ending in the “See Spot” series. See Spot. See Spot lift. See Spot drop a weight on his foot. See Spot in surgery. See Spot and his/her parents very, very angry. In order to make Spot injury free and safe, see Spot spot!

Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com). He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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