The natural tendency when you start climbing is probably to stay squared up to the wall, with your body positioned similarly to how you would approach climbing a ladder. The reality is, in climbing, the ladder-like approach can be limiting and less efficient and can even keep holds just out of reach, that with a shift in body position can be very reachable. Proper footwork can be super helpful with this.
In this article by Alli Rainey (from allirainey.com), she talks about a very important component of climbing footwork technique, the back step.
“Your foot placements dictate the direction, efficiency and outcome of your climbing movement…
The backstep is a technique that beginner climbers should start exploring and trying to integrate into their technical game as soon as they begin climbing…
Knowing when, where and how to backstep will add an element of efficiency to your technical climbing game, enabling you to climb harder routes without getting stronger just by allowing you to make more of the strength and endurance you possess right now..” -Alli Rainey
Alli explains specifically what a back step is and how to start integrating the back step into your climbing while you’re at the gym. As she points out, your climbing can reach the next level just by incorporating this footwork technique into how you approach climbing…..
READ ITÂ HERE:Â The Back Step-Alli Rainey
(photo courtesy of allirainey.com)
