Rock climbing flagging technique
Flagging is a really important technique that helps participants to tackle more intermediate climbs.
Stage one
- Take up a position on a climbing wall no more than one metre off the ground.
- Whilst holding the grips, position your hips as close to the wall as possible and push the weight through your feet.
- Do not over-grip; try to maintain a strength that is necessary to steady your balance.
- Your centre of gravity is usually around your belly button, so wherever your feet and hands are contacting the wall try to centre this point as best as you can between the two.
- If you have balanced correctly, you should feel that your legs are holding your weight and not your arms.
- Your arms should now be used to support balance and for shifting weight to your next move.
Stage two
- Begin looking above your head for the for the next route setter that you will grip with your dominant hand.
- Extend your elbow to grip the next setter and whilst reaching, place your weaker leg outwards for support and shift your centre off balance.
- The leg does not have to touch the rock.
- If performed correctly, you will find that your body does not swing out towards the side that is more solidly positioned on the rock.