How to Switch Feet While Rock Climbing

When developing your list of rock climbing techniques, it helps to know many different moves so you're ready for any situation you get yourself into. Switching feet is one of those rock climbing techniques that is not done very often, and ideally not at all. But if you find yourself needing to use the move, you need to learn it first. Here's how to switch feet when rock climbing.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Pass the right foot in front of or behind your left foot, if your next move is to go left. If you are going to the right, pass the left foot in front of or behind the right foot.

2. Choose a hold close to the foot hold you are switching. Put your right foot, if moving left, or the left foot, if moving right, in a new hold. Choose your hold very carefully now as your legs are crossed at this point.

3. Remove your other foot from the hold only after you have your opposite foot in a good solid hold. Move the foot slowly that is in the position of where you want to put the opposite foot.

4. Uncross your legs. This can be a tricky maneuver in some situations. Be sure of all your holds.

5. Find a new hold for your opposite foot. Again check all your holds to be sure they are secure.

6. Put the opposite foot into the foot hold that your other foot was in.

Tips & Warnings

• See if you can switch hands to restore balance. Switching feet is a difficult maneuver and is one of the rock climbing techniques that should not be done unless absolutely necessary.
• You should not attempt rock climbing unless you have all the proper equipment and training with an experienced rock climbing instructor.

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