Pro climbers often note trusting their feet as a source of confidence and security – and you can too.
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve honed in on building strength with various drills, which is crucial but can overshadow equally important skills like foot precision.
Early on, I discovered that imprecise footwork often stymied my progress, despite gaining upper body strength. That’s why this week, we’re shifting focus back to a fundamental: the “Quiet Feet” drill.
Even pro climbers regularly practice this to refine their footwork, underscoring its importance.
It’s a reminder that success on the wall isn’t just about reaching higher but stepping smarter.
This week’s drill: Quiet Feet
The “Quiet Feet” exercise is a drill designed to help rock climbers improve their footwork, which is often a neglected aspect of climbing training.
Challenge Rating: Easy Equipment Needed: Small Bells (optional)
Identifying Routes
Before starting the drill, identify 3-5 climbing routes that are 2-3 grades below your current skill level. The idea is to select routes that aren’t too challenging, so you can focus primarily on your footwork rather than the difficulty of the climb itself.
Instructions
- Start the Climb: Begin climbing one of the selected routes.
- Intentional Placement: As you climb, aim to place your foot on each hold with purpose. Do not slam your feet against the wall or the holds.
- Quiet Feet: Make sure to climb in such a way that your feet make no noise upon making contact with a hold. Your aim is to climb as quietly as possible.
- Complete the Route: Climb to the top of the route, maintaining your focus on quiet and intentional foot placement throughout.
- Repeat: Once you’ve completed one route, move on to the next one. Remember to keep the same focus on quiet footwork.
Notes and Tips
- The most common source of noise comes from kicking the wall, so be extra careful to avoid this.
- Dropping onto a hold or readjusting your foot can also create unwanted noise, compromising the effectiveness of this drill.
- As this is an easy-level drill, the focus is on technique rather than speed or difficulty. Take your time and make each movement count.
Want to make it harder?
If you would like to increase the challenge, consider placing bells on the heel of your shoe. The jingle of the bells can often be more noticeable to slight movements than just listening for scraping or pounding on the wall.
By regularly incorporating the “Quiet Feet” drill into your training routine, you will develop more precise and controlled footwork, ultimately helping you become a more skilled and efficient climber.
By the way, this drill came from our book published earlier this year, 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better, which you can learn more about here.
Quick Tip
Remember, a strong climbing mindset isn’t something you have; it’s something you actively create. Each climb is an opportunity to engage your focus and precision intentionally. Treat your mental approach like a muscle—train it, strengthen it, and watch your climbs transform.
Super Secret Project
As I turn 30, I’m challenging the traditional path of aging by transforming my body and mind exclusively through the sport of climbing. This project, which I’ve dubbed my “Super Secret Project,” is about more than just climbing higher—it’s about reshaping how I engage with climbing to redefine my limits and discover a healthier, stronger self.
Read more about my Super Secret Project here.
I’ll be sharing regular progress updates and insights in our upcoming newsletters. This journey isn’t just about reaching new heights; it’s about learning and growing together.
Got questions or specific aspects of my journey you’re curious about? I’d love to hear from you! Your questions will help shape the content of future updates, making sure we’re tackling the topics most relevant to our climbing community.
Beta Break:
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