Fall practice & mental training
Managing fear of falling is without doubt the most valuable and highest-leverage work I do with climbers.
Climbing is an inherently psychological challenge. Fear of falling shapes how we move, what we attempt, how we respond under pressure and simply how much fun we have. Through mental training, our minds can become a strength — something that helps us perform — rather than something that holds us back.
I work with climbers on managing fear of falling, performance anxiety, focus, and building a resilient mindset for climbing. You can work with Hazel Findlay and I through Strong Mind Climbing (from anywhere in the world) or you can work with me in person in North Wales.
Fear of falling shapes how we move, what we attempt, how we respond under pressure — and simply how much fun we have.
Getting fall practice right
Unfortunately fall practice is easy to get wrong — and when it does, it reinforces fear rather than reducing it. The frustrating part is that effective fall practice often goes against our common intuitions. The classic example: jumping off a route assuming you’ll feel better once you’ve done it. In reality, this approach often increases anxiety rather than reducing it.
Good fall practice is deliberate and progressive, where the challenge level is adjusted constantly for optimal learning. This means developing safe and effective practice, and nurturing self-awareness.
→ Where do people go wrong with fall practice? — Strong Mind Climbing
Working with me
I run fall practice sessions both indoors and on real rock in North Wales, built around where you are and what you want to get out of it.
This is available as a standalone session or as part of ongoing coaching. Get in touch →
