Throwing Pads

Why we use pads

A pad provides a soft landing while training on the trampoline. This reduces the impact, takes away some of the bounce on landing, and prevents trampoline burn. Throwing a pad will help athletes’ confidence, enabling them to commit to the trick and continue practicing safely for longer.

If you see someone throwing a pad poorly or not using a pad when you think they should be, approach them and ask politely if you could assist them by either throwing the pad or putting the pad on the trampoline for them.

When throwing a pad for someone, try to place yourself in a position where you can still see other trampolines and students. This will allow you to continue to monitor the floor and look out for more potential risks.

When to stop throwing a pad

Creating a safe environment to practise in is essential to our coaching model but eventually throwing a pad for a student is going to hold them back.

Once students are safely performing a new trick, discourage the use of the pad. Begin by positioning yourself ready to throw a pad, but telling them you will only throw it if it looks like they need help. This will allow them to build the confidence they need to perform the trick completely unassisted.

How to throw a pad

• Start at the side of the trampoline gripping with both hands on the longest side of the pad
  • If standing, hold the pad with an under grip and angle the pad towards the trampoline so it slides with ease
  • If kneeling, hold the pad with an over grip and resting on top of the knees
• Position yourself as close as possible to the trampoline without the mat sitting on the tramp bed and distracting the student
• As someone is taking-off watch them as they rise to the peak of the jump, focus on the direction they are travelling in and not the trick that they are performing
  • If standing, slowly step forwards and start sliding the pad onto the trampoline
  • If kneeling, push toes into the ground and begin leaning forward and sliding the pad onto the trampoline
• Once the athlete hits the peak of the jump you will know how much they are travelling from their take-off and where they are going to land
• Continue pushing the pad as close as you can to their expected landing without getting your body too close
• If there is a lot of travel and you can’t reach their landing, throw the pad as late as possible to try and get it underneath them

Tips

• Only let go of the pad just before the landing and only throw across the trampoline when necessary
• Never say you’re going to throw a pad for a student and then not do it without their consent – this will break their trust
• Have students throw pads for each other on the olympic trampolines where there is less ground to cover, coaches should always spot on the super trampolines unless the students are older of a higher skill level 
• If someone is performing an advanced skill and you are not confident to throw a pad for that trick, delegate to a more experienced staff member