What if you could improve your climbing in just 10 minutes per session?
Most climbers think the only way to get better is by climbing more or grinding through long training sessions. But here’s the truth—quality matters more than quantity. You don’t need to spend hours training; you just need focused, intentional practice to refine your technique.
As a climbing coach, I’ve seen firsthand how short, targeted drills can make a huge impact on climbers’ efficiency, confidence, and movement skills. Whether you struggle with footwork, balance, or wasted energy, a few minutes of deliberate practice can help you break bad habits and climb smoother.
In this post, I’ll share five of the best climbing drills you can do in just 10 minutes per session. These drills will help you:
✅ Move more efficiently and waste less energy
✅ Improve foot precision and body positioning
✅ Climb with more confidence and control
Add just one of these drills to your next session, and you’ll start seeing results fast. Let’s dive in!
Drill #1: Silent Feet Drill (Master Foot Precision & Control)
Many climbers focus so much on their hands that they completely ignore their feet—resulting in sloppy, inefficient movement. If you’ve ever heard your foot slap loudly against a hold, that’s a sign you’re placing your feet without control. The Silent Feet Drill trains you to be more precise and intentional with every step, leading to smoother, more energy-efficient climbing.
Why It Works
✅ Improves foot placement accuracy, reducing unnecessary adjustments.
✅ Helps you distribute weight properly, taking pressure off your arms.
✅ Reinforces better balance and body control on the wall.
How to Do It
- Choose an easy route (2-3 grades below your max).
- As you climb, place each foot as quietly as possible—no smearing, no stomping.
- If you hear a loud slap, reset and try again with softer, more controlled placements.
- Climb the route multiple times, refining your foot control with each attempt.
Pro Tip:
Many climbers cheat this drill by using their arms to keep the noise down instead of engaging their legs properly. Instead of pulling yourself up the wall, focus on pressing through your legs to keep your movement smooth and controlled.
By practicing the Silent Feet Drill regularly, you’ll develop better footwork, reduce energy waste, and climb with more efficiency—especially on technical routes.
➡️ Want more technique drills like this? My book 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better is packed with structured exercises to refine your movement and take your climbing to the next level. [Grab your copy here!]
Drill #2: Flag Everything (Improve Balance & Stability)
One of the biggest mistakes climbers make is keeping their body too squared to the wall. This often leads to feeling off-balance, overusing the arms, and struggling on moves that require better weight distribution. The Flag Everything Drill forces you to practice flagging on every move, helping you develop better stability, body positioning, and control.
Why It Works
✅ Improves balance by teaching you to counteract momentum.
✅ Reduces unnecessary foot swaps, making movement smoother.
✅ Teaches efficient weight shifts, making moves feel easier.
How to Do It
- Choose an easy route (2-3 grades below your max).
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On every move, deliberately flag one foot instead of keeping both feet on holds.
- If you’re reaching with your right hand, extend your left foot into a flag (and vice versa).
- Use both inside flags (foot crosses in front) and outside flags (foot extends behind you).
- Keep your movement smooth and intentional—no rushed or unnecessary flagging.
- Repeat the drill on different routes to develop flagging awareness.
Pro Tip:
If this feels unnatural, practice exaggerating your flagging movements at first. The more you train this, the more second nature it will become in real climbs.
By practicing the Flag Everything Drill, you’ll develop better balance, move more efficiently, and feel more in control on technical climbs.
➡️ Want more drills to refine your technique? My book 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better is packed with structured exercises to help you climb smarter—not just harder. [Grab your copy here!]
Drill #3: Pause & Plan (Improve Route Reading & Climbing Efficiency)
Do you ever find yourself rushing through a climb only to get stuck in a bad position or waste energy making extra moves? Many climbers react to holds instead of planning ahead, which leads to inefficient movement. The Pause & Plan Drill forces you to slow down and think strategically—helping you climb smarter and waste less energy.
Why It Works
✅ Improves route reading so you can anticipate key moves.
✅ Reduces rushed, inefficient movement that leads to fatigue.
✅ Helps you climb with more confidence and control.
How to Do It
- Choose a route you haven’t climbed before.
- Before starting, take 30 seconds to plan your first 5-6 moves—identify key holds and body positions.
- As you climb, pause before every third move to reassess and adjust if needed.
- Focus on moving efficiently instead of rushing from hold to hold.
Pro Tip:
If you hesitate or struggle with decision-making while climbing, this drill will help you build confidence in your route-reading skills. The more you practice, the faster you’ll be able to assess moves on the fly.
By practicing the Pause & Plan Drill, you’ll develop better route-reading skills, move more efficiently, and feel in control on the wall.
➡️ Want more structured drills to improve your climbing? My book 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better is packed with exercises to help you refine your movement and break through plateaus. [Grab your copy here!]
Drill #4: One-Touch Rule (Improve Precision & Reduce Wasted Energy)
Do you find yourself constantly adjusting your grip or shuffling your feet mid-route? Many climbers waste energy by repositioning their hands and feet multiple times before committing to a move. The One-Touch Rule Drill forces you to be precise with every placement, helping you climb smoother and more efficiently.
Why It Works
✅ Trains precision so you place your hands and feet correctly the first time.
✅ Eliminates wasted movement, helping you conserve energy.
✅ Builds commitment and confidence in your holds and foot placements.
How to Do It
- Choose a moderate route (not too easy, but not at your limit).
- Once you touch a hold, you cannot adjust your grip or foot placement.
- If you grab a hold in a bad position, work with it—no re-gripping or foot shuffling.
- Climb the route while focusing on deliberate, confident movements.
Pro Tip:
If you struggle with hesitation or second-guessing your movements, this drill will help you trust your decisions and commit to each move with confidence.
By practicing the One-Touch Rule Drill, you’ll move more efficiently, reduce wasted energy, and feel more in control on the wall.
➡️ Want more drills like this? My book 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better is full of structured exercises to refine your technique and make climbing feel easier. [Grab your copy here!]
Drill #5: Sloth Climbing (Build Control & Movement Awareness)
If you tend to rush through moves or feel like you’re constantly fighting for control on the wall, slowing down is one of the best ways to refine your climbing technique. The Sloth Climbing Drill forces you to move with intention, helping you develop better balance, foot placement, and body awareness.
Why It Works
✅ Eliminates sloppy, rushed movement, making each move more precise.
✅ Builds body tension and control, improving strength and stability.
✅ Forces you to be mindful of weight shifts, grip adjustments, and foot placements.
How to Do It
- Choose an easy route (2-3 grades below your max).
- Climb as slowly as possible, taking at least 5 seconds per move.
- Focus on controlled breathing, smooth foot placements, and stable body positioning.
- If you find yourself rushing, pause, reset, and slow down even more.
Pro Tip:
This drill is surprisingly hard at first! If you struggle with balance or body tension, you’ll quickly notice areas that need improvement. Stick with it, and you’ll gain better control over your movement and energy use.
By practicing the Sloth Climbing Drill, you’ll develop better movement efficiency, build strength through controlled tension, and feel more stable on the wall.
➡️ Want even more drills to refine your technique? My book 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better is packed with exercises designed to help you climb smoother, smarter, and stronger. [Grab your copy here!]
10 Minutes of Focus = Faster Climbing Progress
Improving your climbing doesn’t require hours of extra training—you just need consistent, intentional practice. By dedicating just 10 minutes per session to these drills, you’ll start refining your technique, climbing more efficiently, and breaking through plateaus faster than you think.
Quick Recap of the 5 Drills:
✅ Silent Feet Drill – Improves foot precision and control.
✅ Flag Everything Drill – Enhances balance and body positioning.
✅ Pause & Plan Drill – Builds better route reading and decision-making.
✅ One-Touch Rule Drill – Reduces wasted movement for smoother climbing.
✅ Sloth Climbing Drill – Strengthens body control and movement awareness.
The key to real progress? Pick one drill per session, focus on it for just 10 minutes, and watch how your climbing improves. Small, intentional efforts add up fast!
💡 Want even more drills to accelerate your progress? My book 77 Drills to Help You Climb Better is packed with structured exercises designed to refine your technique and make climbing feel smoother and easier.
👉 Which drill are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments!
