Spotting is a techniques used in climbing, especially in bouldering, where the climbers are close to the ground and ropes are not typically used. The spotter stands below the climber, with arms raised or at the ready. If the climber falls, the spotter does not catch the climber, but redirects the climber's fall so that they land safely on a bouldering mat. At the very least the spotter ensures that the climber's head and back do not strike the ground directly. If the climber jumps down, the spotter can also help prevent stumbles and injuries on uneven ground. Spotters do not try and catch a falling climber, they redirect their fall to prevent injury.

The term spotting originated in 1930, when a new gymnastics coach at the University of Illinois, Hartley Price, painted 4' diameter white circles on the gymnasium walls, calling them "spots". Seeing the "spots", gymnasts were supposed to think safety and look for those who could assist them through one element or another.

climbing techniques