Sequencing

We have all heard of visualization, muscle memory, and mental preparation as ways to enhance sport performance. Well, these tools work for climbing too, and good climbers frequently use these strategies before they climb during the ritual called “sequencing”. Sequencing has multiple levels of intensity, but essentially it is the act of planning your path up a wall.

The three steps of sequencing a route:

1. Identify your holds and imagine what they feel like and how you will use them.
2. Visualize an order of progression or “sequence” of holds you will use.
3. Act it out! Literally, from the ground move your arms (and legs) as if you were climbing the route that you are about to climb.

That’s it. By sequencing a route you have mentally prepared yourself for what is ahead, visualized the path and movement, and have taken your body through the physical motions in order to trigger muscle memory.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 at 8:12 am and is filed under Training.