Manni, I find that you are 100% on the mark. Your analysis is tremendously helpful. Your ability to break down each separate element in the activity of climbing is a valuable educational tool. I am 75 and climbing for 6 months. Your videos, all of which I have watched 3 and 4 times, have been singularly important to my swift climbing progress. I wish to complement you of your choices of fuel. Grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and water mixed with enthusiasm and wisdom are all we all really need to fuel our machines.
This is awesome. So many videos over the Internet explain what flagging and backstepping are, but this is the first one I find that actually explains when to use each and why.
One of the best videos ever for explaining - and SHOWING - different footwork, and how to pick what makes sense. I've been playing around with these moves recently, but often get frustrated when I can't anticipate what will work. Now I get it conceptually, and I can't wait to get to the gym to experiment more. Your videos are great, and have been accelerating my learning. THANK YOU Mani!
This is the best analysis video of the flag vs other options like back stepping. Really great job describing when to use which technique, which is absent in all the other training videos I've seen. Would love to see more!
I've finally understood the biomechanic of this movement and the situation when it realy helps, though I used it instinctively sometimes :) Thanks for your videos!
Since I've started watching your videos, I've started climbing 4 days a week, and have been doing so for 2 months now. When I started, I was climbing at 5.8 on top rope. With the help of your videos (Training and Technique), 2 months later I'm now comfortably climbing at 5.11a! I know this probably isn't brilliant, but I'm super happy with my progress. Thank you!
Hey this is absolutely awesome, I'm very happy that my content helps people to become better at their passion, this is one of the major goals of this channel! These kind of comments motivate me to keep going :D More training and technique is on the way!
I've just started getting into rock climbing within the past year and didn't really know where I was in terms of your videos (beginner or intermeditate) so I watched all of the techniques videos right in a row and I want to saw thank you for making them. I learned so much for the intermeditate ones and there are definitely lots of things for me to take back to the gym and try tomorrow. Keep em coming, thank you for the help
Really like seeing it broken down in terms of centre of gravity and seeing how this changes throughout the move/ in comparison to other moves/techniques. It helps a lot!!
I painstakingly learned these moves on my own once I built up my grip endurance and could focus more on body position and center of gravity on the wall. The great thing about this video is that I couldn't explain these techniques to a fellow climber verbally but I'm sure this video will make perfect sense to them. The vectors and weight distribution points help clarify the techniques for sure! Cheers!
Hey man, first of all, great videos! I'm going to be recommending them to a lot of people because they explain things very well and offer great visuals. I particularly liked the axis and center of gravity graphics, very informative. I wanted to point out a disagreement I had though about the use of a backstep making a move easier than a flag. I think you have to bear in mind the idea of being in equilibrium or having all forces acting upon the body being balanced out WHILE doing the move. It's quite clear if you watch the sequence beginning at 4:32, that doing the backstep version of the move is dynamic, and while you may have the strength to stop and lock off at any time, due to the relative lack of strength in the legs when the outside of the hips are facing the wall vs when the inside of the hips are facing the wall, most people would not have the strength to do this. This is the true advantage of the flag in that it allows you to perform the same move statically that you had to do dynamically when backstepping. If you're going to a relatively large or positive handhold this may not matter, but particularly outdoors there will be times when you need to hit a handhold quite statically in order to execute the movement properly, and in this case the flag shows it's utility. It's also worth noting that the flag can potentially bring your center of gravity closer to the stable axis than the backstep (pause the video at 4:36, the COG is over the line in the flag vs next to it in the backstep), which is contrary to what you said in the video. With a backstep you can really only get so close to the stability axis, but a flag can be shortened or lengthened (sink in deeper to the squat to lengthen the flag) to allow much more precise control over exactly where the COG is. This is particularly useful on non-incut holds on a steep angle where you need to keep your elbow directly below the wrist as much as possible in order to maintain a downwards pulling force on the hold as opposed to incut holds which allow you to pull outwards against them slightly thanks to the lip adding an extra dimension to the directionality of the hold.
Thank you for the feedback, promotion and your awesome input! I love to ignite epic discussion about climbing technique and training! I have to admit that in this particular example I've shown in the video the back step was not a lot superior to the flag when it comes to "single move comfort" as I called it. One can clearly see that the movement is more dynamic, as you've mentioned, and this adds some extra difficulty, especially when it's about hitting pockets or other small holds. When it comes to pure strength needed, there was not much of a difference as well, but I like to go with the rule of thumb that a dynamic move costs slightly less effort than the corresponding static lock off (although this is not always true, but in general people tend to develop a too static climbing style, in my experience). However, as always in climbing, and especially when we engage advanced techniques, everything is highly situation dependent. What the best solution looks like depends on foothold position relative to the starting handholds, their distance, the distance to the target hold (in my experience a back step often gives you slightly more reach than the corresponding flag), the steepness of the wall and of course also the height of the climber, and I think that taking all these factors into account in most cases the "corresponding back step" has the greater single move comfort, with the disadvantage of additional foot switches. Because yet again, if the flag would always be superior, why would we even bother back stepping at all in these cases? Being aware of all the options is what counts when it comes to solving problems fast. This is something which gets really interesting when it comes to onsighting and stuff.
+Vegan Rockclimbing I agree with everything you said here, it's important to know all the available options. I'm mostly taking issue with the notion that a backstep is always possible in situations where one would flag. In my experience I simply haven't found this to be true, and I'd go so far as to say that I've done thousands of flags over the years where back stepping was either not an option or would have changed the balance of force so radically it would be useless. Perhaps I misunderstood the video, but it sounded like you were suggesting that one would always have a choice between the two, and as I said in my experience that's just not the case.
Well if you are encountering situations where one method is completely inept, you're out of trouble because you instantly know what to do and what to avoid. The very tricky question is which technique is more efficient in most of those problems where both are possible. It's a very interesting topic. Hitting the gym now, because more power makes any solution easier :P
Sehr gut erklärt! I've seen a lot of videos about that theme. This is one here is really well done! Thank's a lot and go on making videos! All the best, Dave
Just watched all the videos in this series. Great job! Really informative and great explanations. These are the best instructional climbing videos on the web to date.
Hey Mani, awesome videos man, I'm learning loads of good theory!! In the UK we call the "Open Door" a "Barn Door", like a large door on a barn swinging open in the wind, or something like that - I have no idea where the phrase comes from, but it seems to be very similar to yours. Cheers man, and keep up the awesome videos!!!
Great video, as always! :) At about 1.20 I would say center of gravity goes under the right hand, because our body moves like a pendulum and the stable position of cog is exactly underneath our grabbing hand. Keep posting! A 811 raw vegan from Hungary. :)
Thank you for your videos. I know these moves as different names though...your "flag" is "backstep" for behind and "step through" for in front and also what you call "backstep" we call "drop knee". Interesting!
Really awesome video, thank you! Even after climbing for a while, I still love watching good technique videos, it's a great refresher and there's always some new points! :D I LOVE that you compare it to other techniques and weigh the benefits of each against each other, it's so helpful when thinking about how one would actually apply certain techniques on an actual route! I use the backstep a lot, especially when I warm up, because it definitely takes some weight off the hands and I climb slowly during warm ups anyways... I think I wll try flagging more on my warmup routes just to get used to the technique and start using it more instinctively! :)
A little bit late, but there is accualy one situation where a flag could not be substitiuted by a backstep. Imagine a corner with a place for a heelhook on the right and a slightly higher grip on the left. The next grip is placed way above the current one on the left side. If you can't grab the next hold dynamically, you have perform the flag bellow the hooking feet on the right. I hope it's possible to imagine just by reading my description...
Excellent video! Great analysis and explanation. If I'm allowed to make one suggestion, perhaps at the end of your videos you could give us some exercises? I know one could obviously just go to the gym and repeat the movement, but maybe your didactically superior mind can come up with something better!
Very nice. I've been climbing for years so intuitively I know this. However I never consciously pursued this whole like of thinking. I think I tend to use flagging as a go-to (I use cross & back step as well, but less often so). I feel this is probably because I tend to value fluid climbing (e.g. I don't link like having to match feet/hands). But then just thinking right now of recent climbs I think there are examples where I could have saved energy. ANd ultimately I think I tend to try to climb fluidly exactly for that... Will think about this next week for sure - thanks for the thoughts.
Hi Mani, Thanks for awesome videos explaining different climbing techniques. There is amazing information in your video, especially where you explain the center of gravity and its relation to the axis, which help create certain images for better understanding. My suggestion is as following - it would be amazing if this information can be captured in a blog as well, especially with images of the axis, and the comparison of axis in different positions. Question - Is there a video that would explain how to imagine the axis in different positions like you showed?
Love you channel, it really makes sense and helps beginners like myself. If you don't mind, the way you do those amazing analysis makes me wonder what is your job? Or what do you study?
Mani I absolutely love your channel and how deep your analysis of this practice is! I’m just beginning my climbing journey. I already have the grip strength to muscle through indoor v3/v4 but I’m lacking the footwork and technique to execute the more technical routes at my level. Do you have any recommendations to improve my technique and footwork so I can put my motivations and strength to use? I still don’t really feel the “flow” but I am striving for it!
As a beginner/intermediate, I've never thought about flagging. Thanks to you, I will try this on the next occasion! Thanks a lot. Can you speak about preventing injuries or how to get hands stronger? Every time I train, some skins fall apart. I know it takes a while before getting strong hands, but is there a way to minimize injury? Greetings from Switzerland :)
Is it not a flag if you don't cross your leg? What if the left foot went further to the left, but didn't go on a hold and didn't smear, just touch for balance?
The same principles can be applied to less steep or vertical walls as well. The game changes a bit when stuff gets slabby though. Maybe I'll do another one regarding slab technique :)
I've heard the "open door" position referred to by native English speakers as "barn-dooring". Excellent technical video!
The Kush Connoisseur yes, it's a barn door
Well, it's not a position because by definition you are moving while barn-dooring
Mani has THE most analytical, instructional and superbly didactic videos on climbing. You are a natural teacher! Thank you!!!
Manni, I find that you are 100% on the mark.
Your analysis is tremendously helpful. Your ability to break down each separate element in the activity of climbing is a valuable educational tool. I am 75 and climbing for 6 months. Your videos, all of which I have watched 3 and 4 times, have been singularly important to my swift climbing progress. I wish to complement you of your choices of fuel. Grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and water mixed with enthusiasm and wisdom are all we all really need to fuel our machines.
This is awesome. So many videos over the Internet explain what flagging and backstepping are, but this is the first one I find that actually explains when to use each and why.
this channel is destined for greatness
One of the best videos ever for explaining - and SHOWING - different footwork, and how to pick what makes sense. I've been playing around with these moves recently, but often get frustrated when I can't anticipate what will work. Now I get it conceptually, and I can't wait to get to the gym to experiment more. Your videos are great, and have been accelerating my learning. THANK YOU Mani!
Was a pleasure to me Krisztina!
Mani the Monkey can you explain the proper foot position for these moves? Always the toe?
This is the best analysis video of the flag vs other options like back stepping. Really great job describing when to use which technique, which is absent in all the other training videos I've seen. Would love to see more!
Thanks man. More will come!
Be aware of all your options my friends!
I love your analysis because this really helps me understand when I should backstep and when It's probably better to just flag.
That's awesome, I'm glad the video is helpful :)
I agree, I have see video's on flagging before, but never understood when I should be using it over a backstep. Thanks!
Soo true, I feel like I backstep too much haha and totally forgot about the flagging..
Very logical and clearly explained the flagging and introduced the back step. Great help and I'll try practicing this week. Tks!
I've finally understood the biomechanic of this movement and the situation when it realy helps, though I used it instinctively sometimes :) Thanks for your videos!
Great video , with great visual on the biomechanical principles underpining the Flag ... Great work!
really useful to see a comparison of two different techniques for the same move and when to use them! Can't wait to try this!
Since I've started watching your videos, I've started climbing 4 days a week, and have been doing so for 2 months now. When I started, I was climbing at 5.8 on top rope. With the help of your videos (Training and Technique), 2 months later I'm now comfortably climbing at 5.11a! I know this probably isn't brilliant, but I'm super happy with my progress. Thank you!
Hey this is absolutely awesome, I'm very happy that my content helps people to become better at their passion, this is one of the major goals of this channel! These kind of comments motivate me to keep going :D More training and technique is on the way!
I've just started getting into rock climbing within the past year and didn't really know where I was in terms of your videos (beginner or intermeditate) so I watched all of the techniques videos right in a row and I want to saw thank you for making them. I learned so much for the intermeditate ones and there are definitely lots of things for me to take back to the gym and try tomorrow. Keep em coming, thank you for the help
Really like seeing it broken down in terms of centre of gravity and seeing how this changes throughout the move/ in comparison to other moves/techniques. It helps a lot!!
Possibly the best climbing channel of all. Keep it up. Thankx for all ure clearly presented info.
this video is fantastic! very few people go through the intricacies that you just explained. kudos my friend.
I painstakingly learned these moves on my own once I built up my grip endurance and could focus more on body position and center of gravity on the wall. The great thing about this video is that I couldn't explain these techniques to a fellow climber verbally but I'm sure this video will make perfect sense to them. The vectors and weight distribution points help clarify the techniques for sure! Cheers!
I'm glad the video is helpful, thanks for the promotion ;)
dude, I have been not stopping watching your videos since I found out about your channel. So good
Really good analysis! Keep it up.
Thanks, I will!
I really like how you hand the climbing like an engineering issue, great work! Please keep it up!
Hey man, first of all, great videos! I'm going to be recommending them to a lot of people because they explain things very well and offer great visuals. I particularly liked the axis and center of gravity graphics, very informative. I wanted to point out a disagreement I had though about the use of a backstep making a move easier than a flag. I think you have to bear in mind the idea of being in equilibrium or having all forces acting upon the body being balanced out WHILE doing the move. It's quite clear if you watch the sequence beginning at 4:32, that doing the backstep version of the move is dynamic, and while you may have the strength to stop and lock off at any time, due to the relative lack of strength in the legs when the outside of the hips are facing the wall vs when the inside of the hips are facing the wall, most people would not have the strength to do this. This is the true advantage of the flag in that it allows you to perform the same move statically that you had to do dynamically when backstepping. If you're going to a relatively large or positive handhold this may not matter, but particularly outdoors there will be times when you need to hit a handhold quite statically in order to execute the movement properly, and in this case the flag shows it's utility.
It's also worth noting that the flag can potentially bring your center of gravity closer to the stable axis than the backstep (pause the video at 4:36, the COG is over the line in the flag vs next to it in the backstep), which is contrary to what you said in the video. With a backstep you can really only get so close to the stability axis, but a flag can be shortened or lengthened (sink in deeper to the squat to lengthen the flag) to allow much more precise control over exactly where the COG is. This is particularly useful on non-incut holds on a steep angle where you need to keep your elbow directly below the wrist as much as possible in order to maintain a downwards pulling force on the hold as opposed to incut holds which allow you to pull outwards against them slightly thanks to the lip adding an extra dimension to the directionality of the hold.
Thank you for the feedback, promotion and your awesome input! I love to ignite epic discussion about climbing technique and training! I have to admit that in this particular example I've shown in the video the back step was not a lot superior to the flag when it comes to "single move comfort" as I called it. One can clearly see that the movement is more dynamic, as you've mentioned, and this adds some extra difficulty, especially when it's about hitting pockets or other small holds. When it comes to pure strength needed, there was not much of a difference as well, but I like to go with the rule of thumb that a dynamic move costs slightly less effort than the corresponding static lock off (although this is not always true, but in general people tend to develop a too static climbing style, in my experience).
However, as always in climbing, and especially when we engage advanced techniques, everything is highly situation dependent. What the best solution looks like depends on foothold position relative to the starting handholds, their distance, the distance to the target hold (in my experience a back step often gives you slightly more reach than the corresponding flag), the steepness of the wall and of course also the height of the climber, and I think that taking all these factors into account in most cases the "corresponding back step" has the greater single move comfort, with the disadvantage of additional foot switches. Because yet again, if the flag would always be superior, why would we even bother back stepping at all in these cases? Being aware of all the options is what counts when it comes to solving problems fast. This is something which gets really interesting when it comes to onsighting and stuff.
+Vegan Rockclimbing I agree with everything you said here, it's important to know all the available options. I'm mostly taking issue with the notion that a backstep is always possible in situations where one would flag. In my experience I simply haven't found this to be true, and I'd go so far as to say that I've done thousands of flags over the years where back stepping was either not an option or would have changed the balance of force so radically it would be useless. Perhaps I misunderstood the video, but it sounded like you were suggesting that one would always have a choice between the two, and as I said in my experience that's just not the case.
Well if you are encountering situations where one method is completely inept, you're out of trouble because you instantly know what to do and what to avoid. The very tricky question is which technique is more efficient in most of those problems where both are possible. It's a very interesting topic. Hitting the gym now, because more power makes any solution easier :P
All of your videos on this playlist have helped me improve so much as a beginning climber. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Sehr gut erklärt! I've seen a lot of videos about that theme. This is one here is really well done! Thank's a lot and go on making videos! All the best, Dave
Hey mani. Enjoying your videos pal, I'm new to the sport and your spirit for it is making me smile thanks for you gems of advise. Jim.
Glad to hear that Jim, keep crushing!
These techniques make so much sense now! Thanks!
Appreciate the physics breakdown and the comparisons!
Exactly the kind of teaching style I was looking for. Great work and thanks.
Beautifully illustrated Mani!
Mani, thanks a lot for this great content! Watched many of your videos multiple times 😁
Learning GOLD! Best instructional vids by far!
I love the way you break it down! Your videos are extremely useful!
0H GAWD, another epic video by the super epic Maannii! I will always remember the "door opens", it will help me so much!! THANK YOU!!!
Haha thanks bro :P
Just watched all the videos in this series. Great job! Really informative and great explanations. These are the best instructional climbing videos on the web to date.
Thanks!
Hey Mani, awesome videos man, I'm learning loads of good theory!!
In the UK we call the "Open Door" a "Barn Door", like a large door on a barn swinging open in the wind, or something like that - I have no idea where the phrase comes from, but it seems to be very similar to yours.
Cheers man, and keep up the awesome videos!!!
PS Big up the vegan climbing!!
Thanks man, I will!
Excellent video! Couldn't be explained better!
Awesome, love the way you explore all aspects, vantagnes, cons, etc =)
This one was very instructive, good job dude !
Thanks bro!
Great video, as always! :)
At about 1.20 I would say center of gravity goes under the right hand, because our body moves like a pendulum and the stable position of cog is exactly underneath our grabbing hand.
Keep posting!
A 811 raw vegan from Hungary. :)
Thanks, and thanks for your input! Great to have another vegan on board :)
I love your technical biomechanical breakdown, keep it up!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and analysis man
Awesome! I like these technical episodes. Also very professional editing!
Thanks man! :D
Thanks for another great video, it's given me a lot to think about and to practice
Great, that's the goal of these videos!
Thanx you for new tips) very well described the movements.
Thank you for your videos. I know these moves as different names though...your "flag" is "backstep" for behind and "step through" for in front and also what you call "backstep" we call "drop knee". Interesting!
finally understand the mechanism after watching your video
Really awesome channel, great level of detail and such a clear explanation. Please keep these coming :)
I will try it out today.
Really awesome video, thank you! Even after climbing for a while, I still love watching good technique videos, it's a great refresher and there's always some new points! :D
I LOVE that you compare it to other techniques and weigh the benefits of each against each other, it's so helpful when thinking about how one would actually apply certain techniques on an actual route!
I use the backstep a lot, especially when I warm up, because it definitely takes some weight off the hands and I climb slowly during warm ups anyways... I think I wll try flagging more on my warmup routes just to get used to the technique and start using it more instinctively! :)
YES! Awesome if the video could inspire you Kat!
Love your channel and all your videos! Such an inspiration to train hard and eat clean :)
Thanks man, that's the goal!
Love the detailed video! Cheers from New Orleans!
I'm glad you enjoy it, was a lot of work :P Cheers from Vienna!
A little bit late, but there is accualy one situation where a flag could not be substitiuted by a backstep.
Imagine a corner with a place for a heelhook on the right and a slightly higher grip on the left. The next grip is placed way above the current one on the left side. If you can't grab the next hold dynamically, you have perform the flag bellow the hooking feet on the right.
I hope it's possible to imagine just by reading my description...
Excellent video! Your tutorials have been very helpful to me.
Thanks, I'm glad to hear that bro!
Excellent video! Great analysis and explanation. If I'm allowed to make one suggestion, perhaps at the end of your videos you could give us some exercises? I know one could obviously just go to the gym and repeat the movement, but maybe your didactically superior mind can come up with something better!
Looking sharp! thanks for all the great tips
I really really really enjoyed this video, had to watch it several times so it will stick with me, now I can't wait to try it on the wall :) !!!!
Very nice. I've been climbing for years so intuitively I know this. However I never consciously pursued this whole like of thinking. I think I tend to use flagging as a go-to (I use cross & back step as well, but less often so). I feel this is probably because I tend to value fluid climbing (e.g. I don't link like having to match feet/hands). But then just thinking right now of recent climbs I think there are examples where I could have saved energy. ANd ultimately I think I tend to try to climb fluidly exactly for that... Will think about this next week for sure - thanks for the thoughts.
another amazing video dude, incredible technique analysis, this really helps a lot!
Thanks for the video! Clear explanation
Very good analysis!
Thanks m8 :D
I'm improving really fast, good tips! Subscribed!
Great to hear that! Thanks for your support!
Very instructional, thank you!!
You should add the twist and lock to your flagging conversation. Turn those hips into the wall and create body tension.
This is excellent. Thank you.
Your channel is dope!!! Learning a lot
Thanks! Yes, open door is Barn door in english.
Right, it is Barn Door
Thank you for your help!
Thanks a lot...i found this very helpful
Really interesting, thank you!!
Thank you so much!
great videos man!
Hi Mani,
Thanks for awesome videos explaining different climbing techniques. There is amazing information in your video, especially where you explain the center of gravity and its relation to the axis, which help create certain images for better understanding. My suggestion is as following - it would be amazing if this information can be captured in a blog as well, especially with images of the axis, and the comparison of axis in different positions.
Question - Is there a video that would explain how to imagine the axis in different positions like you showed?
Perfect! Thanks for this great Video!!
More videos please! :)
so helpful
i make this mistake frequently
Vielen Dank, very helpful!
very good job! & with so much fun! 最佳攀岩教程啊
Thanks mate!
thanks a lot man. this was really helpfull for me.. awesome
I'm glad it helped!
very very very good
ooooh i'm gonna try this. i usually do foot switches
Great job again! :D
Thanks bro :)
Love you channel, it really makes sense and helps beginners like myself. If you don't mind, the way you do those amazing analysis makes me wonder what is your job? Or what do you study?
I study biology and work as a coach from time to time.
Excellent
I am not sure what you mean about single-move comfort? Maybe stability?
Flag: speed
Backstep: stability
awesome videos!!!
I will use this video to show my non climbing friends how cool, creative, challenging and brainy of a sport it is :D
I'm glad to hear that!
really nice video
super! danke
Thanks bro
thank you so much for your videos. they are very helpful! could you do a video about strength exercise to improve climbing? that would be great :)
It's a pleasure to me, I'll pick up your suggestion and do my best!
Mani I absolutely love your channel and how deep your analysis of this practice is! I’m just beginning my climbing journey. I already have the grip strength to muscle through indoor v3/v4 but I’m lacking the footwork and technique to execute the more technical routes at my level. Do you have any recommendations to improve my technique and footwork so I can put my motivations and strength to use? I still don’t really feel the “flow” but I am striving for it!
As a beginner/intermediate, I've never thought about flagging. Thanks to you, I will try this on the next occasion! Thanks a lot. Can you speak about preventing injuries or how to get hands stronger? Every time I train, some skins fall apart. I know it takes a while before getting strong hands, but is there a way to minimize injury? Greetings from Switzerland :)
Absolutely great if you learned something new here, and thanks for your suggestion, I'll try my best!
Is it not a flag if you don't cross your leg? What if the left foot went further to the left, but didn't go on a hold and didn't smear, just touch for balance?
Feetback! good stuff
In the definition of flagging I have always heard used, you don't need to cross your legs to flag.
Yeaaa gutes Video!!
Danke!
But what about vertical walls? When/how much do you need these steep wall moves on a vertical wall? Worth another video to compare? :)
The same principles can be applied to less steep or vertical walls as well. The game changes a bit when stuff gets slabby though. Maybe I'll do another one regarding slab technique :)
Do you prefer crunch berries or lucky charms?
I had the 1000th like :)
Haha nice one I think that's my 1st vid with that many! Thanks for the support :D