As I mentioned earlier, the use of a spotter or spotters is a very important safety consideration for some exercises. Keep the following things in mind when you're trying to determine which free-weight exercises require spotting. Exercises where the weight is lifted overhead, on the back, or on the front of the shoulders: Make sure the entire area is clear. No extra weights, bars, papers, pens, benches, towels, or other people should be in the way of the athlete and spotters in case the weight is dropped. If possible, perform the exercises inside a power rack with safety features adjusted. The spotter should be at least as strong and tall as the person lifting. If one person can't handle the weight correctly, use two spotters. Two spotters may also be necessary to reduce interference during the exercise. For example, you can see in exercise A that one spotter, who's able to handle the weight, can be situated in a position to grab the dumbbells if necessary. However, in exercise B, two spotters are needed to be able to safely and effectively take the weight and bar from the athlete if and when necessary. Exercise A Exercise B     Exercises that are performed with the weight over the face: Hold the bar in the alternated hand grip between the athlete's hands. Keep your back flat and your body in a stable position so you can handle the weight if it's dropped. Spot dumbbell exercises near the wrists or on the dumbbells. What to do when spotting: Make sure you and the athlete both know what's going to happen -- e.g., how many repetitions, when to begin, when or if a liftoff will be performed with the spotter's assistance, and so on. (See page 349 for more information on spotting techniques.) Do NOT spot power exercises, because it's dangerous. Instead, teach the athlete how to safely drop or lower the weight away from his or her body.