Spotting 101: A Quick Guide to Safe AcroYoga Spotting

When it comes to AcroYoga, there’s a lot of excitement in flying high and balancing in gravity-defying poses. But behind every successful pose is a solid foundation of safety—and that’s where spotting comes in. Spotting is one of the most important roles in AcroYoga, helping ensure that both the flyer and base can confidently explore new shapes, build trust, and push their boundaries safely.

What is spotting, and why is it important?

Spotting in AcroYoga is all about providing physical (and sometimes emotional support) to the base (the person on the ground) and the flyer (the person being lifted). As a spotter, your primary goal is to prevent falls, help maintain balance, and create a safe environment where both partners can feel comfortable in their practice.

A skilled spotter isn’t just a safety net—they’re an active part of the team. You’re there to observe the alignment, give feedback, and sometimes guide your partners into proper positioning in case they’re struggling. When everyone feels supported, it becomes easier to focus on technique, relaxation, and flow.

Your role a a spotter

As a spotter, your role goes beyond just «being there» for the sole purpose of there being a spotter. Below we’ll list the main things you need to focus on, but: First things first! 

👉🏻 Check in with yourself first. Ask yourself: Am I able to focus on spotting right now? Am I an appropriate spotter with regards to my size and the flyer’s size? Do you feel comfortable spotting this trick? Do I require the help of a second spotter? Always think about these things before committing to being the spotter. After all, you are responsible for someone’s safety.

Now that you’re ready to spot, focus on the following things:

• Talk about it! Talk about the trick (including directions and how they’re planning to exit), about everyone’s comfort zone and how much and what kind of spotting your team would like to get.
• Awareness: Stay present and watchful, observing the flyer and base as they move. Even small adjustments can make a big difference, so be ready to respond. At the same time, you’ll want to be in tune with your own body and your positioning relative to the base and flyer. 
• Positioning: Stay close but not too close—position yourself so you can easily reach the flyer if needed without blocking their movement. We like to use a so-called Sumo-stance: Feet a bit wider than hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, core engaged. If you are a smaller person, you want to pay extra attention to where and how you position yourself, because often we can also use our body (e.g. shoulder, hips) to prevent a fall, not just our hands.
• Hands-on support: Keep your hands ready but don’t use a death grip on the flyer. You don’t need to be holding the flyer constantly; instead, hover your hands near their hips or shoulders (i.e. the boney parts, so you have something solid to grab should things go south), where most balance adjustments are made. As long as things are going reasonably well, we like to apply «Hot Potato Spotting»—we are close, softly guiding their movements as if they were a hot potato, on and off.
• Communication: Use clear, concise cues. Let your partners know if you’re stepping in to help or if they’re veering off-balance. Communication is key to prevent confusion or unexpected movements. Don’t use too many words, as your friends are likely busy enough trying to balance and don’t have much focus left to listen to lengthy explanations. Additionally, you can help ensure communication between base and flyer, for example when it is very loud in the training space or when both their heads are pointing in opposite directions, which might make it hard for them to hear each other. Clear communication could include cues like “Hold,” “Shift left,” or “Coming in” to alert your partners to your movements. Agree on the most important cues beforehand.

Common challenges and how to overcome them

Spotting can come with its own set of challenges, but here’s how to handle some common issues that we’ve observed over the years:

• Fear of missing a fall: It’s natural to worry about not catching someone, but preparation is key. Review poses with the base and flyer first, and practice spotting slowly before trying full poses. There’s no bullet-proof way to never miss a fall, but you can make sure to take all the necessary precautions.
• Fear of getting injured: We get it, you are spotting two humans who are swinging their legs swiftly past your face. And yes, the elbow in the face or the foot in the belly has happened to all of us. With experience, you’ll be able to better predict movements and move yourself out of the way. And sometimes a tiny clash is better than another person injuring themselves badly. Weigh your options, because if you agree to spot, you should do as much as you can to keep everyone safe. If that is too much of a risk for you, don’t spot.
• Miscommunication: To avoid this, agree on verbal cues and clarify expectations at the start of each session. Simple cues go a long way. It is crazy that I have to say this but: Talk about which trick you’re going to do as a team. We see it again and again that the spotter is agreeing to spot *something* but then is surprised about what the base and flyer are doing. Know what you are spotting.
• Uncertainty about when to step in: Practice makes perfect here. Over time, you’ll develop an intuition for spotting—when to step in, when to adjust, and when to let the pose flow naturally.

Ready to spot? 

We hope that our little guide helps you be a confident spotter, because in AcroYoga, the spotter holds a unique and vital role in creating a safe, joyful environment. With clear communication, focused awareness, and gentle support, spotting allows everyone to explore new heights with confidence. So the next time you join an AcroYoga session, bring your best spotting skills and enjoy the experience of helping your partners—and yourself—grow in your AcroYoga practice.