You always have the most thoughtful and insightful tips! I love the way you frame footwork around focus and intentionality. My feet alway slip when I go for a hard grab, probably because I'm losing focus on the feet. I'm excited to try out these tips!
It's definitely unintuitive for most of us to focus on our feet during hard moves. Really hoping this take on footwork helps people who don't just want to work on their footwork on warm ups feel empowered to also learn it on their projects. Good luck!
I like the point you made about whether or not climbers climb smoothly because they are efficient or if they are strong enough to move statically! Love the content :)
Dude that was sick! I would watch like 30-40 min videos you just going over muscle chains and using these muscle/joint visuals like you did here. Felt very satisfying putting that knowledge in my brain. Thanks!
Glad to hear it! I try to spend a lot of time thinking about how to visually present my ideas, so I'm glad that the muscle/joint visuals clicked for you. Definitely planning on reusing that one for some future videos I've got planned.
Really appreciate that you are bringing something additional to the online discourse. I’m still a beginner but devouring climbing content; this has made me want to pay attention to my ankles on the holds. Thanks for the tips!
Haha I've been there. If you're consuming a ton of climbing progression content, then always remember the golden rules: consistency, try hard, and don't get injured
Subscribed when I saw your beginners drill video before, and yet another banger. About to go climbing and this really helped give me things to focus on! Accessible, clean, climbing content.
Thanks! Also very excited. Still feel new to editing and making videos, but it's been a lot of fun and I have a lot more ideas for the future. If only I had more time haha
The gym I climb at opens in two hours, I'm still in the brand new phase. My last climbing session I tried my best to use my legs waaaay more; after watching your video I see I still have lots more to use; activation of hamstrings, activating the chain. Appreciate the visual aides during the explanation 👌
I always felt like it was hard to know what to focus on when I was trying to learn footwork, so I'm glad the visuals were helpful. It's definitely a process, but it's a great sign that you're already thinking about how you can use your legs.
Hey Brandon, really nice video! I would also recomend you to watch the new video vom Dave MacLeod on footwork. I think you are gonna love it and judgeing from your clips this could be something where you can take away a lot. Have a good one!
Nice videos. I saw some videos about going down from top, do you have in plans video about it? Often I strain my body wanting to go down more than going up XD I often jump down because of that, I'd like to change it. I bet jumping down frequently isn't good long term.
It's actually a merch shirt from @BoulderingBobat back in like 2019, so unfortunately I don't think it's for sale anymore. Hopefully they bring it back though if enough people are interested cause I could use a new one 👀
wanted to say that it's a good video, but what I think you are lacking is an in-depth analysis of flags and how the counterbalance is important to understand, along with pressure driving into the wall with other points of contact to create a lever mechanism which in turn takes strain off of weak points on the wall. The other point that you completely brushed over and I saw lots of examples of in your climbing which I would warn against as it creates bad habits are front flags: they are typically only effective at relieving some stress on easy holds and actually can put a lot more stress on the hands and other leg since the force your hips away from the wall and create a bow shape with your body. Rather take the time to switch feet and flag properly or get your other foot higher and backflag. That's my two cents, cheers.
Thanks for taking the time to write up such a detailed response! I don't really talk about counter balance here because I think that flagging and lever mechanisms are well implemented in climbers (i.e. I purposefully made a video where it was about things i felt even some advanced climbers lack rather than what separates say a beginner and an intermediate), and this video actually serves more of a meta purpose for RUclips specifically. This video was done prior to the publication of Dave MacLeod's recent videos and was released at a time where the main footwork video trend was to just suggest 'silent feet'. It's more geared at telling people underlying progression principles, not specific technical concepts (for which there are numerous). While I do mention technical concepts, it's more so I can get to the underlying principles. I cannot mention everything in a single video, which is why at the time i felt it would be more valuable to point people to common principles that are often ignored. Varying beta, identifying muscular chains and where yours are failing, and learning to coordinate muscles are not often talked about on climbing youtube, especially as the underlying principles to the tips they're associated with. Though I do plan to make more videos in the future on things you mentioned cause they are definitely important! As for the front flag comment, I think there's a misconception here. Firstly, it's not prescriptive to climb better. It's recommended to vary your beta, which is a huge distinction. I agree that front flags are usually better on easy holds, and despite Dave MacLeod's recent video I don't think that means people shouldn't use them. If anything, I think it only enhances the reason to use them so people can learn the nuance in technique and discover the good and bad positions themselves - which is the entire point of me telling people to vary beta. Secondly, I would actually disagree with your statement that front flags necessarily cause bad habits. In this climb in particular, it was more efficient because it did take weight off my hands rather than add load. You can actually see that my hips are closer to the wall than in the frontal position and that is achieved by creating torque - twisting with the non flagging such that the hip above it goes from a closed to open body position will pull your body into the wall. I think if you're experiencing this 'bow shape' you mentioned when doing front flags, then I'd encourage you to try this torque motion. I'm not saying it'll make front flag usage that much more common, but the whole point of varying beta is to learn more right. Also I actually mention a case in Dave MacLeod's comment section in his front flag video on how you can use torque for traversal like movements for hard crux moves as well to add to the conversation there, hopefully you'll find it an interesting read if you take a look. Again really appreciate your detailed comment. Hopefully I wasn't too longwinded, but I just love talking about climbing technique (and my guess is if you wrote such a detailed comment then you probably do too
@@BetaBoiBrandon :) Hahaha, brilliant! stoked that you saw that video as well. It made me rethink my footwork. Dave has a brilliant breakdown for counterbalance in other videos as well which got me pushing harder already. I will try the front flag with torque since I can't help myself from trying the different beta. Lastly, I totally agree with the importance of reiterating the values to be taken from the general examples. Like why silent feet are good (they make you look - focus - and take a second while you place your toe) and once you combine that with a strong posterior chain, sticky toes, and as you mention rotational torque it becomes ssuuuper powerful. I don't even want to open the wormhole of heel hooks right now, but I also think that cam'ing your heel in with torque and a strong inner thigh isn't spoken about enough - man, movement is so cool! Thanks for the input! Cheers, have a good one.
You always have the most thoughtful and insightful tips! I love the way you frame footwork around focus and intentionality. My feet alway slip when I go for a hard grab, probably because I'm losing focus on the feet. I'm excited to try out these tips!
It's definitely unintuitive for most of us to focus on our feet during hard moves. Really hoping this take on footwork helps people who don't just want to work on their footwork on warm ups feel empowered to also learn it on their projects. Good luck!
I like the point you made about whether or not climbers climb smoothly because they are efficient or if they are strong enough to move statically! Love the content :)
surprisingly refreshing take on something done a million times. thanks for adding your voice to the discourse!
Dude that was sick! I would watch like 30-40 min videos you just going over muscle chains and using these muscle/joint visuals like you did here. Felt very satisfying putting that knowledge in my brain. Thanks!
Glad to hear it! I try to spend a lot of time thinking about how to visually present my ideas, so I'm glad that the muscle/joint visuals clicked for you. Definitely planning on reusing that one for some future videos I've got planned.
Really appreciate that you are bringing something additional to the online discourse. I’m still a beginner but devouring climbing content; this has made me want to pay attention to my ankles on the holds. Thanks for the tips!
Haha I've been there. If you're consuming a ton of climbing progression content, then always remember the golden rules: consistency, try hard, and don't get injured
You're a great educator Brandon. Thanks heaps and I hope you keep them coming.
SO GOOD, I've watched other footwork videos repeatedly and this one would join that list. So happy to see new tips in the discourse 😆
That's awesome! Really glad this video can still be useful to people who've seen a bunch of other footwork videos, hope they help :)
PHENOMENAL VIDEO!
One of the only climbing channels that provides clear and actionable information. Thank you!
amazing video, extremely insightful
Subscribed when I saw your beginners drill video before, and yet another banger. About to go climbing and this really helped give me things to focus on! Accessible, clean, climbing content.
Definitely what I'm going for, so I'm glad that it's coming across well. Hope these help with your sesh
This is SO helpful. Your channel is such a breath of fresh air, can't wait to see what's next
Thanks! Also very excited. Still feel new to editing and making videos, but it's been a lot of fun and I have a lot more ideas for the future. If only I had more time haha
Great video. I learned a lot. I love your visual aids, notes, and graphics
Really really well put together video
More great tips. Thanks! I need to watch this right before I hit the gym again
Thanks for the continued support :') hope they help!
You are legend dude!! Thanks a lot!
The gym I climb at opens in two hours, I'm still in the brand new phase. My last climbing session I tried my best to use my legs waaaay more; after watching your video I see I still have lots more to use; activation of hamstrings, activating the chain. Appreciate the visual aides during the explanation 👌
I always felt like it was hard to know what to focus on when I was trying to learn footwork, so I'm glad the visuals were helpful. It's definitely a process, but it's a great sign that you're already thinking about how you can use your legs.
Wow great video and definitely added something to all the other footwork videos on RUclips, really like the video editing... new sub
This is some of the best technique content I've seen. Bravo to you sir.
That's some high praise! Have a lot more ideas so hoping to continue delivering interesting content like this
Great vid. Looking forward to you getting loads more subscribers. This content is fantastic. To the point, concise, extremely helpful visuals!
very helpful, thanks
Hey Brandon, really nice video! I would also recomend you to watch the new video vom Dave MacLeod on footwork. I think you are gonna love it and judgeing from your clips this could be something where you can take away a lot. Have a good one!
Great content :) love the extras and visual add ons. Really looking forward to see some intermediate/ advanced climbing tips if you're planning on it!
Yep, have plenty of upcoming intermediate/advanced topics in mind :)
Very helpful video
cool video! good tips
appreciate the video.
it's a good
great video, really enjoy your calm way of explaining.
btw: what are those pants you are wearing, for example when doing the pullups? :)
Cool videos, keep it up.
Nice videos. I saw some videos about going down from top, do you have in plans video about it? Often I strain my body wanting to go down more than going up XD I often jump down because of that, I'd like to change it. I bet jumping down frequently isn't good long term.
Lol down climbing takes some practice for sure. I can definitely add it to my backlog or see if I can fit it into one of my upcoming ones
Unrelated to the great video but what's the shirt you're wearing in the beginning of the video with the bat monster thing? It's sick.
It's actually a merch shirt from @BoulderingBobat back in like 2019, so unfortunately I don't think it's for sale anymore. Hopefully they bring it back though if enough people are interested cause I could use a new one 👀
wanted to say that it's a good video, but what I think you are lacking is an in-depth analysis of flags and how the counterbalance is important to understand, along with pressure driving into the wall with other points of contact to create a lever mechanism which in turn takes strain off of weak points on the wall. The other point that you completely brushed over and I saw lots of examples of in your climbing which I would warn against as it creates bad habits are front flags: they are typically only effective at relieving some stress on easy holds and actually can put a lot more stress on the hands and other leg since the force your hips away from the wall and create a bow shape with your body. Rather take the time to switch feet and flag properly or get your other foot higher and backflag. That's my two cents, cheers.
Thanks for taking the time to write up such a detailed response! I don't really talk about counter balance here because I think that flagging and lever mechanisms are well implemented in climbers (i.e. I purposefully made a video where it was about things i felt even some advanced climbers lack rather than what separates say a beginner and an intermediate), and this video actually serves more of a meta purpose for RUclips specifically. This video was done prior to the publication of Dave MacLeod's recent videos and was released at a time where the main footwork video trend was to just suggest 'silent feet'. It's more geared at telling people underlying progression principles, not specific technical concepts (for which there are numerous). While I do mention technical concepts, it's more so I can get to the underlying principles. I cannot mention everything in a single video, which is why at the time i felt it would be more valuable to point people to common principles that are often ignored. Varying beta, identifying muscular chains and where yours are failing, and learning to coordinate muscles are not often talked about on climbing youtube, especially as the underlying principles to the tips they're associated with. Though I do plan to make more videos in the future on things you mentioned cause they are definitely important!
As for the front flag comment, I think there's a misconception here. Firstly, it's not prescriptive to climb better. It's recommended to vary your beta, which is a huge distinction. I agree that front flags are usually better on easy holds, and despite Dave MacLeod's recent video I don't think that means people shouldn't use them. If anything, I think it only enhances the reason to use them so people can learn the nuance in technique and discover the good and bad positions themselves - which is the entire point of me telling people to vary beta. Secondly, I would actually disagree with your statement that front flags necessarily cause bad habits. In this climb in particular, it was more efficient because it did take weight off my hands rather than add load. You can actually see that my hips are closer to the wall than in the frontal position and that is achieved by creating torque - twisting with the non flagging such that the hip above it goes from a closed to open body position will pull your body into the wall. I think if you're experiencing this 'bow shape' you mentioned when doing front flags, then I'd encourage you to try this torque motion. I'm not saying it'll make front flag usage that much more common, but the whole point of varying beta is to learn more right. Also I actually mention a case in Dave MacLeod's comment section in his front flag video on how you can use torque for traversal like movements for hard crux moves as well to add to the conversation there, hopefully you'll find it an interesting read if you take a look.
Again really appreciate your detailed comment. Hopefully I wasn't too longwinded, but I just love talking about climbing technique (and my guess is if you wrote such a detailed comment then you probably do too
@@BetaBoiBrandon :)
Hahaha, brilliant!
stoked that you saw that video as well.
It made me rethink my footwork. Dave has a brilliant breakdown for counterbalance in other videos as well which got me pushing harder already.
I will try the front flag with torque since I can't help myself from trying the different beta.
Lastly, I totally agree with the importance of reiterating the values to be taken from the general examples. Like why silent feet are good (they make you look - focus - and take a second while you place your toe) and once you combine that with a strong posterior chain, sticky toes, and as you mention rotational torque it becomes ssuuuper powerful.
I don't even want to open the wormhole of heel hooks right now, but I also think that cam'ing your heel in with torque and a strong inner thigh isn't spoken about enough - man, movement is so cool!
Thanks for the input!
Cheers, have a good one.
super