Climbing Notes
Drills

Flag and twist ladder

Climb an easy route twice: once using a flag on every side hold, once turning a hip in on every long reach.

1 min read 5 sections

Goal

Learn which body position each hold wants.

How

  1. On an easy route with side holds, flag the free leg on every move where you would otherwise swing.
  2. Climb it again, turning the hip on the reaching side into the wall on every long move.
  3. Third lap: choose for each move whichever felt easier.

What to measure

  • Moves where you swung off balance.
  • Which choice felt easier on each move.

Write it down on the log sheet.

Dose

3 laps of one easy route.

The evidence

  • Coaching practice This drill and its dose are common coaching practice; no study in the research pack tested them.
  • See Footwork, flagging, twisting for the background and the measured numbers behind it.
Important

Climb within your experience, with a qualified instructor or experienced partner for anything roped. Young climbers: no campus board or added-weight versions of any drill, and stop at any finger pain.