Having mastered the basics of climbing technique and movement from the previous article, it is now important to engrain these into your person, so that they become autonomous (automatic and without thinking). To action this it is necessary to practice, practice, practice and the best place to do this is on easy traverses, easy problems and easy routes.
The best time to action this is at the start of every climbing session. So spend a minimum of 15 minutes on an easy traverse wall and then a further minimum of 15 minutes on easy problems and easy routes. Don’t stress yourself, but put every effort into working through your moves with the best form that you possibly can, and before long you will be flowing through the climbs.
Why is this important? Well, if you can automatically move through the easier parts of a climb you will have saved all of your energy for the crux, where you may have to work things out whilst hanging on or make moves that take all of your strength and power to complete. Better to arrive at the crux fresh and ready to give it your best than fatigued and unable to even attempt the moves!
The old saying, ‘practice makes perfect’ really does work here, so give it a go and take heart that all great climbers regularly practice their technique and movement, so you are not alone.
However if you really want to learn fast then visit either http://www.jurassicclimbing.co.uk/coaching/ to have us coach you or www.jurassicclimbing.co.uk/training-plans/ if you would prefer to go it alone.