Sports Medicine Handbook - NCAA

104
Use of Trampoline
and Minitramp
June 1978 • Revised June 2002
The NCAA recognizes that the
coaches and student-athletes in
selected sports use the trampoline
and minitramp for developing
skills. The apparent safety record
accompanying such use has been
good, but the use of the trampoline
can be dangerous. Therefore, these
guidelines should be followed in
those training activities in which
student-athletes use the trampoline:
1. Trampolines should be
supervised by persons with
competence in the use of the
trampoline for developing athletics
skills. This implies that:
a. Fellow coaches, studentathletes,
managers, etc., are
trained in the principles and
techniques of spotting with the
overhead harness, “bungee
system” and/or hand spotting on
the trampoline;
b. New skills involving
somersaults should be learned
while wearing an overhead
safety harness. (Exception: Use
of the overhead system is not
recommended for low-level
salto activities such as saltos
from the knees or back.) Those
GUIDELINE 3f
persons controlling the safety
harness should have the
necessary strength, weight and
training for that responsibility;
c. Skills being encouraged
should be commensurate with
the readiness of the studentathlete,
and direct observation
should confirm that the studentathlete
is not exceeding his or
her readiness; and
d. Spotters are aware of the
particular skill or routine being
practiced and are in an
appropriate position to spot
potential errors. Accurate
communication is important to
the successful use of these
techniques.
2. Potential users of the trampoline
should be taught proper procedures
for folding, unfolding, transporting,
storing and locking the trampoline.
3. The trampoline should be
erected in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions. It
should be inspected regularly and
maintained according to established
standards. All inspection reports,
including the date of inspection
and name of inspector, should be
kept on file.
Minitramp
The minitramp, while different in
nature and purpose from the
trampoline, shares its association
with risk of spinal cord injury from
poorly executed and/or spotted
tricks. Like the trampoline, the
minitramp requires competent
instruction and supervision,
spotters trained for that purpose
(spotting somersaults on the
minitramp differs from the
trampoline because of the running
action preceding the somersault),
emphasis on the danger of
somersaults and dive rolls, security
against unsupervised use, proper
erection and maintenance of the
apparatus, a planned procedure for
emergency care should an accident
occur, and documentation of
participation and any accidents that
occur. In addition, no single or
multiple somersault should be
attempted unless:
1. The student-athlete has
demonstrated adequate progression
of skill before attempting any