| You need to adopt proper climbing techniques to | | | | Climbing movement: Any climbing movement |
| climb well. Footwork is one of the most important | | | | involves three points of contact with the climbing |
| techniques involved in rock climbing. If you know | | | | surface. Usually while climbing you make use of |
| this technique well, you have practically won half | | | | two feet and one hand or it is the reverse two |
| the battle. So, focus on small improvements | | | | hands and one foot. You need to concentrate on |
| associated with your footwork. These small | | | | your footwork. Your legs should carry maximum |
| improvements make a large difference in facing | | | | weight and allow you to move freely. Along with |
| the technical difficulties while rock climbing. | | | | your footwork, concentrate on the movements |
| Basic Exercises to improve your Footwork: Since | | | | of your hands and arms as they control the |
| climbing is a complex process, you need to be | | | | direction of movement. Toeing is a part of |
| aware of your footwork and ensure that you do | | | | footwork, where you need to use the toe of |
| adjust your footwork as per the route. Various | | | | your shoe to push and pull on footholds. This |
| aspects are involved while you are climbing like | | | | movement is mandatory for good footwork. You |
| your energy level, your ability to climb on a | | | | can use the outside edge of a shoe when you |
| specific type of rock, and your mood. So to | | | | need to balance on a small foothold. |
| reduce the effect of other factors it is | | | | Select a climbing surface that suits your ability. |
| recommended to learn few exercises to maintain | | | | While you are climbing be careful about your foot |
| a direct relationship between your footwork and | | | | movements. When you move your foot from |
| climbing. These exercises can be easily explored | | | | one foothold to another ensure that you place |
| from various books or you can also learn them | | | | your foot in a stationary position. Jockey around |
| from the fellow climbers. | | | | and balance yourself by putting most of the |
| You can refer to books written on different | | | | weight on the stationary foot. Don't be in a hurry |
| techniques associated with rock climbing. You can | | | | and see to it that you don't put much weight on |
| begin with a basic exercise. All you need to do is | | | | your hands. If you want to climb with ease you |
| face a wall and stand feet, shoulder width apart. | | | | need to follow a simple step. First shift you hips |
| Now place your palms on the wall and pick up | | | | and then lift your foot, this way you don't need |
| either foot as if to place them on an imaginary, | | | | to move your weight around once the foot is |
| higher foot hold. Pick up your foot with | | | | "flagging". Avoid making noise, by wearing soft |
| confidence, and ensure that you shift your hips so | | | | shoes. Good footwork is all about proper balance, |
| that your weight is on the foot before relieving | | | | applying more weight on the feet and minimizing |
| the foot you intend to move. This is a very | | | | the force on the hands. |
| simple exercise. | | | | |