| The basics of rock climbing start with footwork. | | | | performing with your feet |
| Knowing how to place you feet when climbing is | | | | Looking For Footholds |
| necessary as missteps can lead to any number of | | | | One of the most important parts of basic footwork |
| disasters. Following a few basic tips to get you | | | | is knowing where to look for footholds. You want to |
| started, you can ensure you have the proper | | | | make sure you have a basic idea of where they are |
| footwork techniques down and avoid any future | | | | even before you start up the route. You'll only see a |
| missteps. | | | | few from the ground but even those few will help |
| Shoes | | | | you get started. Knowing where good footholds are |
| Having the right shoes is essential to learning how to | | | | and keeping track of them makes the entire process |
| climb. You wouldn't try to learn how to mountain bike | | | | easier. It keeps you from slipping because of |
| on your six-year old cousin's Huffy so why attempt | | | | exhaustion and deteriorating hand holds. |
| climbing rocks with tennis shoes. Make sure you | | | | Check out the footholds before you use them as |
| spend the right amount of time trying on shoes and | | | | well. Know exactly where it is and what it is looks like |
| getting the exact right fit for your feet. You want a | | | | before putting your foot in it. You want to carefully |
| small bit of room but not too much, or you won't | | | | watch and feel out the perfect spot to put your |
| have the sort of control you need over the surface. | | | | feet while climbing to keep from slipping. Once you |
| If your shoes are too small you'll be putting your | | | | step into a foothold put a little pressure on it to |
| toes directly on the edge of each rock you try to | | | | ensure it stays put and your foot doesn't skid loose. |
| step to. | | | | That pressure acts as the force holding you in the |
| Keep those shoes as clean as you can as well. Make | | | | foothold. Don't let it go. |
| sure to wipe them down every time they're used | | | | Once you've gotten used to finding and feeling for |
| and let them air dry, brushing out the deeper stains | | | | those footholds your shoes will do a lot of the work |
| and any interior dirt. You don't want any foreign | | | | for you. They're specially built to seek out those |
| bodies invading your feet while trying to climb. | | | | footholds and hold them well. Knowing how to find a |
| Physical Strength and Flexibility | | | | good foothold and where to set your foot makes |
| You'll need to be a moderately strong person to | | | | the entire process much easier. |
| successfully climb. Building up leg strength is as simple | | | | For those just starting out in climbing, foot work is |
| as leg presses and cycling in the afternoon. Before | | | | the most important thing you can work on right |
| anyone starts climbing, they should consider bulking | | | | away. Once mastered, footwork becomes second |
| up a bit. The foot strength will come in time. | | | | nature to the best of climbers and allows you to |
| Stretching and achieving a suitable level of flexibility is | | | | better enjoy the overall sensation off scaling a |
| important as well. You want to make sure that you | | | | perfect route. |
| can handle the agile moves and stretches you'll be | | | | |