While we all know that a huge part of climbing is mental, working on one’s mental game is more difficult and much more abstract than simply doing another cycle of hang boarding in the gym. However, just because it is more difficult does not make it any less important. With that in mind, here is an article by climbing trainer Eric Hörst of Training for Climbing that discusses the importance of one’s mental game in climbing and gives you some tips to help you strengthen your mental approach and tactics.
“Becoming “head stronger” begins with changing your modus operandi when a climb gets tough. For example, rather than quickly “taking” in the midst of a difficult sequence, push ahead and really try your hardest–assuming it’s a safe climb, be willing to fall trying. Employing this simple tactic will immediately increase your rate of success in climbing.”- Eric Hörst
While Horst believes simply cultivating this willingness to fail while trying your hardest is the single most important mental shift, he goes on to outline four more tips that he believes will help climbers improve their mental game and perform to their highest potential. They are:
- Strive for flexibility of perspective
- Become a “reverse paranoid”
- Leverage a “mental scrapbook” of past successes
- Strive to develop “hanging-on power”
Click through bellow to read the entire article where each of these four strategies are discussed in detail. They just might help you take your mental game and your climbing to the next level.
Click Here: Tips for a Stronger Mental Game
(Photo Credit: Matt Pincus; @mpincus87; Area: Wild Iris, WY; Climb: Genetic Drifter 5.14c; Climber: BJ Tilden)
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