👀 The Science Behind Spotting

Spotting serves 2 major roles
- Not just for aesthetics, it also helps avoid dizziness

Practice changing spots
- By using different spotting locations since this is an important part of dancing- turning in different ways & positions

VOR helps pirouettes
- Ability of eyes to move equal/opposite to head motion, so it helps us spot during turns

Try finding a balance
- Between overly whipping & not whipping enough. Like a dial that you could turn to a 5/10
- If we overly whip head - we get neck tension. If we don’t whip it enough, the spot won’t be clean enough

Tips on Finding This
- Don’t think whip, think use your eyes and let that bring you around

Spotting Relies on Many Systems
- The visual, vestibular, & somatosensory systems sense the body’s position, while the motor system maintains balance 

Sticker Spot Imagery
- Imagine dot at your chin level right in front of you

- Stare at the dot: let the body rotate, & quickly return eyes to dot

• Can be a fun & visual way to teach spotting

Learn More about These Topics:

• Ball, K., & Tillman, D. (2010). Peripheral vision and balance control in athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28(8), 881 889. https://europepmc.org/article/med/31205229

   

• Christy, J. B., Cochrane, G. D., Almutairi, A., Busettini, C., Swanson, M. W., & Weise, K. K. (2019). Peripheral vestibular and balance function in athletes with and without concussion. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 43(3), 153–159. https://doi.org/10.1097/npt.0000000000000280

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  Cicchella, A., & Caminiti, C. (2015). Effect of Different Spotting Heights on Ballet Pirouette Performance. Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis, 21, 19–30. https://doi-org.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/10.12697/akut.2015.21.03

  
  

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  Veronika K Blog Post - https://www.veronicakballet.com/post/sharpen-your-spot-how-visual-tracking-exercises-can-elevate-your-turns

• Denardi, R. A., & Corrêa, U. C. (2013b). Effects of instructional focus on learning a classical ballet movement, the pirouette. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 17(1), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.12678/1089-313x.17.1.18

  Haber, C., & Schärli, A. (2021). Defining Spotting in Dance: A Delphi Method Study Evaluating Expert Opinions. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 540396. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.540396

• Nigmatullina, Y., Hellyer, P. J., Nachev, P., Sharp, D. J., & Seemungal, B. M. (2013). The neuroanatomical correlates of training-related perceptuo-reflex uncoupling in dancers. Cerebral Cortex, 25(2), 554–562. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht266

• Hopper, D. M., Grisbrook, T. L., Newnham, P. J., & Edwards, D. J. (2014). The effects of vestibular stimulation and fatigue on postural control in classical ballet dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 18(2), 67–73. https://doi.org/10.12678/1089-313x.18.2.67

• Uchiyama, M., & Demura, S. (2009). The role of eye movement in upright postural control. Sport Sciences for Health, 5(1), 21–27. https://doi-org.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/10.1007/s11332-009-0072-z

• Klostermann, A., Schärli, A., Kunz, S., Weber, M., & Hossner, E.-J. (2022). Learn to Turn: Does Spotting Foster Skill Acquisition in Pirouettes? Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 93(1), 153–161. https://doi org.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/10.1080/02701367.2020.1813239

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  Lin, C.-W., Chen, S.-J., Su, F.-C., Wu, H.-W., & Lin, C.-F. (2014). Differences of Ballet Turns ( Pirouette ) Performance Between Experienced and Novice Ballet Dancers. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 85(3), 330–340. https://doi-org.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/10.1080/02701367.2014.930088

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  Spot on Workshop by Jennifer Milner & Dr. Katie van den Heuvel, Performing Arts PT https://www.instagram.com/p/CPbq4TSgp1Q/