Spotting info thread

[SHNIPE]

Hopefully we can get enough USEFUL info in here to get it STICKIED. Ill try and keep the good points updated in this first post as we go along.

Figured i would bring this back up. Ive seen a few instances lately where figuring out who is spotting was more difficult than the trail being run. Some of these have led to situations where things could go more wrong than you want.


1) Be sure to let everyone know IF you want a spotter. Some people dont want to be spotted. Some like the challenge. Please dont be offended if a driver tells you that youd rather try it without first. I know I prefer not to be spotted but will on occasion ask for one.

2) ONE PERSON SPOTS If the spotter needs another set of eyes have them pick one and ONLY the spotter gives directions to the driver. The spotter should then clarify that the driver wants to be spotted. Discuss line selection prior to attempting. That way you and your driver/spotter will have a general idea of where the rig needs to be. Once you have determined by whom and how they will spot you, be sure to listen to them and do exactly what they say. If you dont think somethings working or will work talk it out with the spotter. Keep the background chatter to a minimum.

3) Figure out with your driver what your terminology will be. Left and right are bad. Driver and passenger good. Forward and back are good.

4) If youre the spotter and have already cleared the obstacle make sure you keep your jeep out of the way so that you can fit the entire group through or enough to allow the next spotter through.

5) "If you ever get to the point that you can no longer see your spotter (or hear him in some situations) you need to immediately stop (the spotter will realize you can't see him and move to another position). The reason you're using the spotter is because you need help with the line.... if you lose communication with the guy giving you the line for all you know you could be an inch from dropping in a hole that sends you tumbling down the hill." - Greenie Mike

6) Don't be afraid to ask for a specific spotter. For the driver being spotted it's all about trust. And if your spotting someone, don't be offended if the guy you're spotting asks someone else to spot. They're probably asking for someone they've wheeled with enough to be comfortable with. - ROKCRLR

7) As the driver don't be afraid to say no. I've been spotted into a few spots I didn't want to be in before, and it kinda sucks. If you don't like where your spotter is taking you, tell them. - ROKCRLR

8) Don't forget the tail gunner. they might need a spot too. Usually your tailgunners will be experienced wheelers but they might need help now and then. (and take pics of them too)

9) Spotters should be an individual with KNOWLEDGE of the trail your group is running. They should know the hard lines as well as the easy lines. Enough to get everyone through based on the driver experience and rig capabilities.

"The spotter has one over riding obligation: To keep you safe and out of trouble. Secondly, to assist you in overcoming the obstacle presented by the line chosen." - DP

DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE SPOT YOU: SHNIPE, Woody, Glen Reams, The Instigator

[terron gregg]

i like having a spotter if its a line harder than i normally would pick but i also want to be able to pick them with out help from others if i can

[ROKCRLR]

Great idea Shnipe. A couple of things you may want to add:

1) Don't be afraid to ask for a specific spotter. For the driver being spotted it's all about trust. And if your spotting someone, don't be offended if the guy you're spotting asks someone else to spot. They're probably asking for someone they've wheeled with enough to be comfortable with.

2) As the driver don't be afraid to say no. I've been spotted into a few spots I didn't want to be in before, and it kinda sucks. If you don't like where your spotter is taking you, tell them.

[CooL_DaD]

Dude it's Thanksgiving get a life...............

Oh Wait i'm on here lokking......:banghead:

[SHNIPE]

Stuck at work. Cnat be with my real family... so i got my second family!

[SHNIPE]

bump

[YJunk]

id rather not be spotted unless my couple of attemps have prooved fruitless and I ASK for assistance... sometimes you feel like the one brave in a middle of ten Cheifs... pretty much I just want to hit it and give it my best shot; otherwise its not really driving to me if someone is telling me where to go... just my 02

[DrewDog]

id rather not be spotted unless my couple of attemps have prooved fruitless and I ASK for assistance... sometimes you feel like the one brave in a middle of ten Cheifs... pretty much I just want to hit it and give it my best shot; otherwise its not really driving to me if someone is telling me where to go... just my 02

X2, I'm not a fan of spotting unless I'm in or about to get in a reall "BAD" spot. Like giving it a try on my owe the first 1 to 100 times :) ............Drew

Nice write up!

[Fire Ball]

Missed one. Don't forget the tail gunner. Always seems everyone bails and the tail gunner is left to fend for himself. Oh and get pics of tail gunner too :)

[lancetkenyon]

And make sure the spotter is someone with experience wheeling and spotting, that sees the lines better than you. If not, tell them where YOU want to line up and go, so a newbie doesn't get you screwed up. And if you are spotting....get your hands out of your pockets, and reassure the driver they are doing a good job, and tires are placed correctly, ease down, tire about to drop, etc. I hate it when I ask for a spotter, and they stand there like a mute manaquin. And if you ask for a spotter....LISTEN TO THEM! It is hard to see where your passenger tires are, and the spotter has a better view of them. Also, if things are not going the way you feel they should, or if it doesn't feel right...get out and see for yourself if you can safely. If not, trust your experienced spotter.

[Oc1paddler]

And make sure the spotter is someone with experience wheeling and spotting, that sees the lines better than you. If not, tell them where YOU want to line up and go, so a newbie doesn't get you screwed up. And if you are spotting....get your hands out of your pockets, and reassure the driver they are doing a good job, and tires are placed correctly, ease down, tire about to drop, etc. I hate it when I ask for a spotter, and they stand there like a mute manaquin. And if you ask for a spotter....LISTEN TO THEM! It is hard to see where your passenger tires are, and the spotter has a better view of them. Also, if things are not going the way you feel they should, or if it doesn't feel right...get out and see for yourself if you can safely. If not, trust your experienced spotter.

I can't say this enough!!!!:banghead: It seems like the new guy always wants to jump in and help! Its a very nice gesture but if you can't see the lines then stay back! It is kind of fun to watch a spotter point one way and go the other just because they don't have a clue!:) I've gotten to the point that I really dislike having all but a few people spot me. I will always ask if I really need it.

[FrenchChili]

There're only a few spotters I trust. Shnipe is not one of them:D(j\k)


If the obstacle is not too overwhelming I like to let a newb spot so they get the hang of it, best way to learn, it's also very funny when they apologize a thousand time after getting you stuck:D:D:D

[Sedona Jeep School]

Great thread! I recently submitted an article that touches on this topic--not sure when it will be published.
X2, I'm not a fan of spotting unless I'm in or about to get in a reall "BAD" spot. Like giving it a try on my owe the first 1 to 100 times :) ............Drew

Good input. So we should add "Spotter should clarify with the driver if they want spotting".

However, it is poor trail etiquette to keep a huge group waiting while you make more than 3 attempts at an obstacle. When it's just you and your buddies out screwing around, great--but not on an organized run with a mixed group. In fact, EJS has strict rules on this: whether you are spotted or not, after 3 attempts you take a strap or a bypass.

It is the driver's responsibility to identify the spotter. If you as a driver accept spotting from someone you don't know, you have CHOSEN that. And, as mentioned, no one should be offended by a driver asking for a specific person OR discussing a line choice with the spotter before proceeding. I love it when drivers and spotters discuss the line first--it not only establishes better communication, but gives each person involved a chance to learn more about line reading.

Back to trail etiquette, I don't mind waiting while someone takes a few extra minutes to discuss the line, then proceeds carefully. I DO get aggravated when there are 10+ Jeeps waiting, someone declines spotting, stumbles blindly into it, makes multiple futile attempts, then blocks the trail with their stuck or broken rig their rig. ;)

[Fire Ball]

One thing I like to do with noobs is let them try it them selves first, when they get stuck I like to have them jump out and survey the situation and figure out the problem and the solution themselves. Learning curve is pretty high that way .

[1BLKJP]

Stickied it is my friend. This is a great topic that a lot of people take for granted.

Oh, and my contribution is not to let Woody spot you. He just wants everyone's rig to look like his so he forces you to run into sh*t. :D :D :D

[SHNIPE]

Stickied it is my friend. This is a great topic that a lot of people take for granted.

Oh, and my contribution is not to let Woody spot you. He just wants everyone's rig to look like his so he forces you to run into sh*t. :D :D :D

So hes like me? I like woody... wait... that doesnt sound right... dangit jackazz!! :banghead:

Edit: Adding a list of DO NOT LET THEM SPOT YOU's :D

[lancetkenyon]

Often times, I will have a spotter watch a specific spot I want to hit, and watch ONLY that spot. For example:"I want my front tire to miss this notch just outside the passenger side, but the rear tire has to go over the notch." Or "For God's sake, don't let me slip the rear tire in the giant hole, you tell me where to go." Or, "I don't care if I drag the entire passenger side of the Jeep on those rocks, just not the driver's side.":whip:

[cmc]

I don't spot, have a few times but not for rock crawling reasons, but I only wanted to extend a comment on this one having had someone almost run me over once....

5) "If you ever get to the point that you can no longer see your spotter (or hear him in some situations) you need to immediately stop (the spotter will realize you can't see him and move to another position). The reason you're using the spotter is because you need help with the line.... if you lose communication with the guy giving you the line for all you know you could be an inch from dropping in a hole that sends you tumbling down the hill." - Greenie Mike

It's not so much your safety as it is your spotters too. Gunning it when they're mumbling stop could kill them. I now make sure my voice is heard, clearly, and simple undisputed commands. Although now I learned to bark commands from the sidelines. Seeing the front end of one certain 1978 light blue Doge powerless wagon with a 4" square tube bumper still gives me the shivers now and then. I said stop! What possibly could that sound like? So keep an eye on them vs. thinking you know better and run them over. Goes with that spotter say go passenger and you mentally say 'uh no I'll go driver thank you very much' and as you go spotter jumps into your line. Ya... not pretty.

Goes under that 'trust' factor.

Good thread.

cmc