Archive for July 2012

Training Rock Climbing Footwork

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Precise and powerful footwork in rock climbing often makes the difference between sticking a move and falling off the wall. All too often I have the finish of a boulder problem within reach, only to have my foot slip out from under me.

As routes get more difficult, it is increasingly necessary to have great footwork. This means trusting in your feet to provide balance, stability, and propulsion on even the tiniest of footholds.

This coordination can be very difficult, especially when you're tired and technique begins to falter. However, with correct training, good footwork can become second nature. This will get you up the wall faster, with less time spent thinking about your feet. Overall, this will take more strain off your arms and leave you energy and strength for harder climbs.

What is slacklining?

Slacklining is the sport of balancing on a narrow piece of webbing suspended between two anchors. This is different from traditional tightrope walking in two ways. First, the webbing is flat instead of rounded like a rope. This provides a better surface to balance on. Second, webbing is stretchy and dynamic, allowing the line to bounce like a trampoline. This aspect of slacklining opens up many possibilities and variations that aren't feasible in tightrope walking.

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