What is climbing technique?

Climbing technique is composed of skill, movement and methods climbers use to navigate through routes efficiently and effectively. This means there is no right or wrong way to climb a route efficiently and effectively because everyone has their own skills, strengths and reach. For example, a specific move might be easy for you but might not be for someone else.
It involves not just brute strength but also balance, agility, strategic planning and deep understanding of one’s body relation to the climbing surface.

Key Aspects of Climbing technique:
1.      Footwork: This is perhaps the most crucial aspect in climbing. Excellent footwork means placing your feet precisely on footholds, using the edges of your shoes to grip and minimising unnecessary movements. Efficient foot placement reduces the load on your arms and helps conserve energy. The placement of your foot impacts your climbing from reaching for the next hold as it could throw you off balance or make the next hold difficult to execute.

2.      Body Positioning: How you position your body can affect how much energy you expend and how difficult the move can be. Keeping your hips close to the wall, for example, can improve your balance and reduce the effort required from your arms. Rotating your hips to face the wall with one hip closer to the wall can allow you to reach further holds more comfortably.

3.      Route Reading: Before you start climbing, take a moment to plan your route. Some think route reading isn’t as important however it can greatly improve your climbing technique. By route reading you think of the best position for you to be in to be able to execute each move. This planning can help you anticipate difficult sections and manage your energy more efficiently.

4.      Grip: Learning the correct way to grip different types of holds is fundamental. Over-gripping can lead to premature fatigue, so it’s essential to use just enough grip to maintain count without wasting strength. Some holds require to be in a specific position and grip in a certain way to stay on rather than using brute strength to stay on.