Climbing

Terminology

• Dynamic climbing: lots of jumping around
• Static climbing: smooth, precise movements

Holds

• Jugs: Massive handlholds that you can grip completely
• Pinchers: flatter handholds that require you to hold hard with your thumb
• Crimps: tiny holds that you can only fit your fingers on
• Sloper: big spherical grabs that you have to hold with open palms.
• slots and pockets

Tips

• Keep you arms straight to save energy
• Try not to constantly readjust, be deliberate about your grabs and movements
• Body position: flagging. When you reach up and right, balance by putting your left foot down and left. Basically you want to be stretched out to keep balanced

Grip

• Don't grip too tight. Only use as much pressure as you need.

Footwork

• Use your toes, not the middle of your feet
• When the toehold seems tenuous, you should counterintuitively add your weight (opens new window) to it. This will increase friction and make the toehold more secure
• Put your toes right into the wall. It helps to start your toes above the toehold and then come down onto the hold (opens new window)

Grips

• Slopers
  • These are easier when you "hang down" and keep your weight below them. As soon as you become level with them they are harder to hold.
  • Cover as much as possible with your hand (opens new window)
  • don't pull too hard on them you will loose grip. Keep your arms straight and just hang your body weight