Learn 100+ Climbing Techniques With Just 4 Movement Concepts

There are hundreds of climbing techniques! 💯

If you take footswaps for example, we can think of at least 5 common methods (hop, roll, twist, tablecloth & step through), but there will be many more subtle variations on these and infinite variables based on the foothold used, body position or the angle of the wall. 🤨

This means learning the mechanics of any technique in climbing, while useful, won't fully teach you how and when to use them, plus why understanding ‘movement concepts’ is more powerful for becoming highly skilled at climbing! 🧗‍♀️

The idea goes; that when you understand the concepts or the 'laws' of movement, the correct climbing technique will fall into place and this is what we are going to show you in this video. 👊

What does this mean for you? Well, learning about good technique means you will be able to intuitively adapt to the common scenarios of climbing; for example, if you understand the "direction of pull", multiple techniques such as laybacking, heel hooking, rock-overs, relaxed arms, and even grip positions become more intuitive. 🙌

That is why we think understanding the 4 key climbing concepts in this video, you will be able to not only unlock, but understand, hundreds of climbing techniques and adapt to infinitely more situations in climbing. 💪

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[zachrossi]

Using bands to explain vectors is genius. I’ve always struggled to explain a vector to someone without the math/physics background

[TheAnthem]

0:26 Concept 1: Direction of pull
5:58 Concept 2: Timing Momentum
9:10 Concept 3: Anticipate the end Position
11:51 Concept 4: The triangle base

[nilsp]

Great video! The only thing that I miss are some exercises in which I can focus on these four key concepts.

So here are some exercises that helped me:

1) Direction of Pull + 4) Triangle base
"Robot": you are only allowed to move one limb at a time, while your body is completely static. As soon as you have four limbs on the wall again, you can move the rest of your body at will. This helps me to find good triangle base positions in which my direction of pull is optimal.

2) Timing Momentum
"Every move is a dyno": whenever you move your hand, the other hand has to come off the wall as well, even if it returns to the same hold. This taught me the idea of the dead point and forces me to think about my hip movement with every hand movement.

3) Anticipate the end position:
"No adjustments allowed": you are never allowed to adjust your grip or your foot placement. You are allowed to pivot (rotate your foot), but not to adjust the position in which your hand or foot touches the hold. This helps me to move with purpose and foresight.

All these exercises I do on relatively easy boulders, so I can focus just on the exercise. The point is not that they are a huge challenge, the point is to really focus on optimal movement. I think it is important to not only understand all of this abstractly, but also experience how it feels. Also, this practice builds up intuition, so there is less thinking and hesitation on harder climbs, freeing your mind to focus on all the new hard stuff.

[elremito]

The colored arrows are a great idea for visualizing your explanations, keep using them!

[murrayty]

Excellent basics video to build off of. You should make this into a series with a video for each concept discussing different techniques that help you achieve the concept. Especially for newer climbers there are multiple techniques (like say drop knees) that aren't intuitive. Would only have to list/show the techniques and then climbers can research them further. to learn all the little tips and tricks.

[Rickcasco]

Bro this is honestly one of the best videos ive seen. Easy ways to explain dynamic concepts, good visualization, great editing. Congrats bro.
Im a begginer, so im gonna watch this a couple more tines.
Great comments too. Love the climbing community.

[NolanField-yhil]

One of the best “technique” videos I have seen by far. I always find people get stuck trying to memorize techniques instead of understanding how they work and how to climb well in all situations

[DN]

Learning concepts over techniques is such a wise way to learn! Like you mentioned, it allows for individual problem-solving rooted in broad-fundamentals rather than specifically prescribed movement. As a beginner, I'm really excited to bring these concepts into my practice : )

Thank you guys for putting together this video! I've watched a few others from you guys as well and have really been able to connect what I learned in them to my active practice and thought-process.

I specifically really appreciate the relaxed yet detailed and comprehensible way of teaching. I weirdly enough never took physics in high school but I was still easily able to follow the parts where you brought in the science.

These are videos I will definitely be coming back to and referring to as I grow in climbing. Thanks for introducing them to me (and many others who have been fortunate to find this channel).

Cheers!

[jpblanchard]

Obviously its not groundbreaking information for experienced climbers but I really wish I had something like this to guide me when I started climbing. Especially useful to for newer climbers to refer to this when you're analyzing your own climbing movement and trying to understand what went wrong.

[danhammerland]

Very helpful! I barn door a lot and I think I have always been putting my flag foot in the wrong spot.

YI really appreciate the use of physics throughout this as well. You mentioned momentum, and, as a physicist, I feel obligated to also say that the separation between the holds at .86 the speed of light are all half of their rest frame. This makes most routes simpler.

[this_too_shaII_pass]

To be honest, I often feel sceptical about videos showing technique tips when showing only certain problems, but this video is absolutely brilliant. Exactly as you said in the beginning, it's stuff like this that will make it possible for people to problem-solve the beta themselves.

[renzesparza]

Definitely one of, if not the most comprehensive video ive found. The error ive been told i create most is creating positions where all 4 limbs equally distribute my weight, and i can already tell this will help leaps and bounds!

[bluegiant]

The direction of pull part changed my game overnight and made climbing easier, very impressed with this video.

[nateswain]

This is gold. I always find principles more helpful than techniques. Or at least, they allow me to get more out of techniques. Thanks

[hminhph]

one of the best videos on this channel! great stuff to broaden our way of movement instead of specializing further

[LoveDaJourney]

I’ve watched hundreds of climbing videos this is the best free lesson video I’ve seen so far ❤ thank you! 🙏🏻

[GiorgiaAlessioVerni]

As a beginner this was super interesting!! Even though I already knew about some of these concepts, they were explained in detail like Ive never seen before. Thank you!😊

[afull]

I’m a very visual learner, the bands and the arrows were a very good indicator for me. I’m still new and I’m trying to learn how to climb more effectively and efficiently. All your concepts were very helpful!

[nick_eubank]

This is the video I’ve been looking for for WEEKS. Principles, not specific moves. ❤

[average-team-kid]

Even if not clearly, it's nice to see someone talking about base of support and cog in climbing. Easily the most slept on principle imo