05/18/2022
Skill Drill - One Stick Wonders
Last week we discussed readjustments and their impact in rock climbing. If you haven't read that, I would recommend doing so before you read ahead! Now that you're caught up, let's talk about how to help build good habits around readjusting.
Readjusting is really normal for climbers to do. We never want to remove that skill from our bag of tricks when we're on the wall, but we do want to try and learn to only use it when we truly have to. In order to practice eliminating unnecessary readjustments, we're going to be doing perhaps my favorite drill of all time, One Stick Wonders.
In the video above you can see me climbing a yellow climb, two ways. The top video is just me climbing it without a care in the world. The bottom is me doing a One Stick Wonder.
To do a One Stick Wonder, we simply need to climb a climb without readjusting our hands and feet. To do that, we typically need to have really good intention when we go to grab a hold or place a foot wherever it needs to go. Don't forget that intention comes from the eyes; watch every hand or foot placement all the way until you've weighted them! This focus will help you not only place them perfectly, but also it will help you trust those placements more.
It's very helpful to start working this drill on climbs that are somewhat easier for you. This lets you focus less on not falling and more on the ex*****on of the drill. Win-win! As you get better at the drill, try pushing it to harder and harder grades. Remember, it's okay if you make a readjustment, but our goal is to do harder and harder climbs without them!
I hope this helps you all in your attempts to become a better climber! Tag a friend who needs to work on their readjustments in the comments below and be sure to tag my account in any videos you post of you working this drill.
