Skill Level: Intermediate
This drill is great for climbers learning how to heel hook, and how to effectively engage the heel when climbing. Simply choose two different handholds for the climber to hold on to, with their feet still on the floor. Then point to another hold – the climber must place their heel onto this hold, engage the heel, and release their other foot from the floor.
62. Lock and Test
Skill Level: Intermediate
This exercise is perfect when teaching climbers to climb more statically and to experiment with different holds. It is a great drill for improving a climber’s strength and lock ability.
Skill Level: Intermediate Group Size: 1-15
Team Building
IMPROVER DRILL
Explain to the climbers that they may climb any routes of their choice. However, every time they want to move a hand, they have to initially lock their arm at either 90 degrees or in full lock, and feel the hold they are about to grab before using it. They should repeat this throughout their climbs.
63. Mileage Climbing is the best way to improve at climbing. Split the group up into pairs or groups of three. Ask the groups to pick a circuit (or colour) and attempt to climb each route within that circuit. For example, they must go around the entire climbing centre and complete every blue route in the building. Explain that they have up to three attempts each per problem, after which they should move on to the next problem.
Coaching
This drill is perfect when combined with Hover 90⁰ (page 116), and works well before the Adjusting Holds drill (page 90).
Recommended Drills
Group Size: 1-20
Games
IMPROVER DRILL
Group Management
Improver Drills
It also works well if you pick a hold to rock up to once the heel is weighted. Continue this routine on varied holds. Vary the size and quality of both the handholds and footholds.
Resources
Group Size: 1-6
Coordination
61. Heel Starts
Techniques
IMPROVER DRILL
Warm-Ups
Intermediate Drills
CHAPTER 4 | Improver Drills
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