How to Flag - A Climbing Technique for Achieving Balance

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Flagging is a technique that’s used to achieve balance with the leg that’s not connected to a foothold. It’s done in situations where there is only one available foothold, or if there are multiple footholds, only one that is practical for achieving balance.

There are three types of flags:

Outside Flag
Back flag
Inside flag

This video will go over each type, the conditions needed for doing them, and their application on a variety of boulder problems.
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LINKS:
Neil Gresham's Masterclass (Flag episode):

2019 IFSC Climbing World Championships Bouldering Highlights:
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[colleenhathaway]

This is a gem among the many climbing videos out there. Thanks for the clear and focused demonstration.

[mattbossley]

As a new climber this was extremely helpful. I'm starting to get into V2's and V3's where flagging starts to become a must to climb efficiently at my gym. I'm hoping to incorporate this much more into my climbing. Thanks!

[chase]

Flag family reunion 😂😂😂

BTW this is the clearest and most concise flagging video I’ve seen. Thanks so much for putting this together.

[dustinnagy]

You have the best climbing videos I’ve ever seen by far! You know your stuff so well and portray it in an easy-to-learn way! Having sections on how and more importantly when is so so important, and not many people explain that! I’ve learned more from you than any other creator combined, keep up the good work!

[themeatpopsicle]

I find inside flags are more effective/useful in overhanging environments, when keeping your hips close to the wall is critical to take the most advantage of the cantilever effect

[pedepato]

Inside flag helps a lot when you can't easily switch feet and your hips need to be high (for example: when holding a bad undercling)

[李阿兰-jy]

Never thought that explaining climbing techniques could be this zen... Mad respect for the well-articulated format and explanation !!

[OriginalDestro]

I have just been at a bouldering competition where one of the women's final boulder was such that every competitor used an inside flag. They had to pull themselves up into sketchy slopery undercling and while standing they had to counter the rotation due to the bad foothold, but backflag would require lowering the hips which wasn't possible so they naturaly insideflaged. :) Great video as always, keep it up!

[Theninjaonthemountains]

learning to flag and crimp properly were some of the biggest improvements i made early on

[khaibernate]

I flagged for the first time today. It worked and it felt amazing.

[danf]

I am 3 months into climbing and these are some of the most educational videos that I have watched. Not only educational, but how you break it all down is so helpful! Thank you!

[akazod]

Watched this vid yesterday. Went to the gym today and got through a difficult move for me on a V5 by trying the inside flag. No other way I could personally get that move. Without this vid I would have not even thought of it. Thanks!

[josvera]

I watched this video when i started climbing and could only understand/apply the outside flag. Rewatching this video now and totally brought back movements where back and inside flag could help me. Thank you!!

[rachelr]

I am just starting to get into bouldering and this is the best video I found on YouTube!!!! Love your sharing and thanks a lot❤❤❤

[AriPaul]

Brilliant video. Just pure gold content with no filler. Appreciate the lack of "noise."

[AljosaPismonosa]

Non-musical video which I watch regularly and on a repeat. I am so grateful for it! Thanks!

[xyzzy]

Awesome video and I LOLed at the Neil Gresham video mention bc that is where I first learned to flag as a new climber and for a while I was confusing myself trying to inside flag all the time (he calls normal flagging “outside edge”). Agree I’ve only ever used the inside flag on awkward starts or matching the finish when I am too lazy to switch feet. Never seen anyone else do them.

[jd]

Possibly the best video explaining flags I’ve seen. Well done sir.

[PhilDuggs]

Awesome video, would be great to see a similar video on dropped knees

[pedrocorreia]

Great video! I find this channel to be one the most comprehensible for beginner climbers like myself.