The Outdoor Guy
he knows what you did last summer
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Thank you, Iloilo
Friday, October 11, 2024
Antagonistic Setting Needs to Stop
Here are examples of antagonistic setting:
- Placing holds two meters (figuratively) apart to force a "dynamic" move.
- When matching the last hold is the crux of the entire boulder.
- Angling the holds in an un-ergonomic way to force a "hard" sequence.
"Antagonistic" setting is not an industry term. I just made it up.
Beauty is the Beast
Challenging moves are necessary to keep climbers interested. But we can also strive for beauty and elegance -- even on burly moves (who says a beast can't be beautiful?).
An antagonistic approach works like this:
How can I make this sequence hard to force someone to do the beta that I want?
A protagonistic approach works like this:
I want to create this cool move I have in my mind. How can I help my climbers do that move?
Instead of using holds as barriers to force a move, why don't we use them as tools that will help climbers move beautifully?
Maybe the difference between antagonistic and protagonistic is just the framing. But the frame does affect the picture we make.
Affordances
Don Norman's book, The Design of Everyday Things, talks about the concept of affordances: these are features that allow someone to do something.
For example, the backseat of a chair allows us to lean back.
Maybe we need to start thinking of holds as affordances: things that we give to climbers so they can have fun.
Example 1:
I need to screw holds far enough to force a dynamic sequence.
Alternate solution:
Can I force a body position that forces them away from the next hold? So that they will be forced to use power and dynamism to get to the next hold? Can I use body tension to force a dynamic move if they let go of one limb?
Example 2:
I will make the first and last sequences cruxy.
Alternate solution:
These things work in the Olympics because it's hard to separate the field in top-level competition.
But at commercial gym is really just a leisure center. There's not leisure in not being able to get on a problem or falling at the very top.
I remember when I was climbing in Danao, the bolter (Algin) said he could end some of his hard lines somewhere in the middle. But why not give climbers an extra set of juggy sequences for a victory lap?
I like this mindset. Even the Tour de France ends in a champagne "race" around Paris.
Example 3:
I will angle this crimp vertically so that it makes for a dicey foothold.
Alternate solution:
Awkward footholds, gastons, and undercuts do make a move hard. But consider the wrist and ankle positions that you are forcing. Think: an injured customer is a non-paying customer.
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Instead of Teaching Climbing, Why Don't We Teach "Body"?
PS: I've been writing lately because there's no one to speak my mind to.
You've probably been taught this way: This is a heel hook. Here's how you can do it.
I'm not sure if I have an upside-down brain but I prefer to teach a different way:
This is your foot, here's what you can do with it:
- You can step with it (toe).
- You can use it to pull your body towards a hold (heel hook).
- You can use it get above a hold (rock over). ; and
- You can use it for counter balance (flag).
You can use your hips to:
- Change direction
- Put more weight on your feet (twist)
- Reach further without pulling (again, twist); or
- Generate power (by moving it away and back).
The material is the same. It's only a shift in language. But I've noticed that people respond better when you hold their hand as you walk towards an unfamiliar concept; instead of presenting an unfamiliar concept and unwrapping it in front of them.
Why Some People Struggle to Use Their Feet
I have some guesses but treat this as if I'm an Ancient Greek philosopher theorizing about the nature of the atom. Here we go:
- Their ankles are weak. I guess this has something to do with their calf muscles.
- They are uncoordinated. Yes, some people cannot sync the movement of their hands, body, and feet. They may step down on a hold before their weight is above it; then their feet pop. If you are one of these people, you're lucky you found a sport that will help you fix this disconnect. Believe in yourself!
- They are scared and can't think. Fear is always real: even if someone is two footholds above a 30-cm crashpad that covers the entire gym floor. I do respect this fear but I haven't found a way yet to discuss this with people who are new to climbing.
Side note: When you see someone climbing effortlessly, they're actually not. There's always effort involved when you're grabbing tiny things while gravity is trying to pull you away from it. It's just that every bit of their body is working together in harmony so it creates the visual effect of effortlessness.
I take a lot of joy teaching how to climb because I'm helping people understand how their body moves. I think our bodies are important because it holds everything that defines us: our thoughts, emotions, and longings for the sunset.
Yes, our bodies do hold everything that defines us but it does not define us.