Explore the games and drills
A taste of what's waiting for you inside Beta for Coaches
Technique
Precise climbing technique is the foundation of smooth movement and reducing the risk of injuries. Guide your climbers to develop their precision, coordination, and body positioning while climbing. Climbers should watch their hand and foot placement, align their center of gravity over their feet, and lean, push, or pull against the most positive edge of each hold. All other skills build upon these fundamental techniques.
Squish
This is a great way to run through fundamental techniques while warming up. Climbers start on a line. When “Squish” is called, (only when “Squish” is called) climbers race to the wall and place hands and feet on. Coach calls out hold types and techniques. Ex: Match hands on a jug! Switchfoot on a crimp! Smear! Mantle on a Sloper! Sidepull on a Pinch! If the climber falls, they are out. The last climber hanging wins!
None
Small Group, Large Group
Capture the Flag
A bandana is placed between two climbers at opposite ends of a traverse. With both hands and feet on, both climbers race towards the bandana. If they fall, they must re-begin at start hold. Swap sides each round. The first climber to grab the bandana wins!
Flag
Pair, Small Group, Large Group
Silent Feet
This is a good warm up for training precise foot placement. Climbers traverse placing feet quietly. Each sound heard = 3 push ups for all to do at the end.
None
Solo, Pair, Small Group, Large Group
Check out more games in this category such as Sticky, 1.2.3.4, and Guess What when you start your free trial today!
Balance
Practicing balance builds your climber's confidence in all their movements! A foundation of controlled movement will help climbers understand how to stack their weight on top of their feet and recenter after dynamic movement. Balance games can be adapted for all levels.
Sumo
Two climbers stand facing each other, then take a step back. Both raise palms with fingers together. Climbers push against each other's flat palms, trying to knock the other off balance. Fingers may not wrap or interlock. If opponent's foot steps out of place, you win!
None
Pair, Small Group
Floor is Lava
Create an obstacle course using ropes, crash pads, volumes, and a traverse for a fun warm-up! The floor is “lava” throughout the game, and all climbers must make it safely to the finishing point/ “Party Island”! Variation: Time your climbers, and the fastest climber through the course wins!
Crash pads, Volumes, Slopers, Misc.
Small Group, Large Group
Triangles
This is a great fundamental balance builder! Climbers practice making triangles with their bodies as they ascend routes; hands up high and feet wide.
None
Solo, Pair, Small Group
Check out more games in this category such as Either Or, Taps, and Around the Clock when you start your free trial today!
Strength
Climbing is the best training for building climbing strength. As your climbers build strength in their hands, arms, shoulders, core, and legs, overhangs will become more accessible and bouldering will become more fun! Let your climbers know when you see them building more strength!
Dead Hang
Ask your climbers to hang as long as they can on a given hold type. Ask them to focus on good form.
none
Solo, Pair, Small Group
Nose to Knuckles
This is a fun way to build strength and train focus. Climbers must "lock off" bringing their nose to ther knuckles with each new hold grabbed. The first climber to complete 3 routes wins!
None
Solo, Pair, Small Group
Toe Touches
On a traverse or boulder problem, climbers must touch the next handhold(s) they want to use with their toe before using it.
None
Solo, Pair, Small Group
Check out more games in this category such as Campus, Side Kicks, and Balloon Up when you start your free trial today!
Focus
Building focus will help with coordination, precision, and planning. Climbers will be able to do more complex movements and have the mental fortitude for competition with a strong ability to focus. Have fun asking your climbers to refocus on a variety of movements and skills!
Foot Notes
A fun warm up for training focus! Cut paper squares and place on foot holds. Climbers traverse and avoid knocking the paper off. If the paper falls, have a consequence. Ex: 3 pushups for each note knocked down.
None
Solo, Pair, Small Group, Large Group
Duck Hunt
A super fun challenge for developing strategy. One, two, or half the team hides a rubber duck in the boulder area while the remaining climbers do not look. Then the other climbers try to find the duck. The climbers who find it become the next hiders!
none
Small Group, Large Group
Rescue Mission
A great start for little climbers! Attach a sling to a stuffed animal and hang on the wall for a young climber to rescue!
Sling, Toy
Solo, Pair, Small Group
Check out more games in this category such as Bubble Toes, The Wave, and Gauntlet when you start your free trial today!
Strategy
Creative problem solving is a strength in climbing and in life! Challenge your climbers to look at boulder problems and cruxes to find possibilities for how to move through them. When climbers know how to read a sequence and adjust their body positioning, their flow will follow.
Marco Polo
A blind folded climber begins in the middle of a traverse with several bandanas in their harness. They call out “Marco”, and the other climbers respond “Polo”. They are trying to tag another to become the next “Marco” and the others are trying to stealthily steal their bandanas. If no one is tagged, Marcho may choose the next climber to be Marco.
Bandanas
Small Group, Large Group
The Beta
Climbers coach the coach through a boulder problem! This game helps climbers learn to read routes, communicate, work together, and think through their problems.
None
Small Group, Large Group
Thumb War
Two climbers hang facing each other and play Thumb War with the other hand. The first-round winner may stay up and play a new opponent.
None
Pair, Small Group
Check out more games in this category such as Partner Climb, Islands, and Save the Bunnies when you start your free trial today!
Power
Powerful climbers have the confidence to commit to their movement. Build your climber's power and confidence for cruxes with fun and dynamic games! When climbers know they have power, they have the confidence to push themselves!
Nailed It
Climbers are 1 step away from a line on the ground. Each climber must jump to the line and sink their weight down to absorb the jump and to find balance. Next round, take 1 more step away, jump, and sink. Those that falter off the line are out. The longest jump landed, wins!
None
Small Group, Large Group
Flying Squirrel
The climber practices commitment and dynos! The climber launches toward a distant jug, keeping proper form for falling in mind. Climbers should disperse the force of the fall through their feet, then bottom, then roll onto their backs.
None
Solo, Pair, Small Group
Dyno Add On
Climbers take turns adding on a dyno move to a route they create. The climber to complete the most dynos wins!
None
Pair, Small Group, Large Group
Check out more games in this category such as Let's Roll, Flag Grab, and Dyno War when you start your free trial today!
Endurance
Explore expanding the volume of challenges as your climber builds their endurance. As their endurance grows they can work on more challenging projects. Your climbers will become prepared for long days at competitions as well as full days of climbing outdoors!
Blind Climb
Paired climbers take turns being blindfolded ascending a route while their partner gives beta. Variation: compete with other teams and the quickest pair wins!
Bandana
Pair, Small Group
Tag
The first climber begins traversing with a 2-5 second head start. She is "it." The second climber begins climbing and tries to tag her. Multiple climbers may be added on the wall, and the one in front is always "it." If climber reaches the end or is tagged, they go to the back of the line.
None
Pair, Small Group
Dead Hang Challenge
Time climbers hanging on either jugs, crimps, slopers, or pinches. Last one hanging wins! Make sure shoulders are down & back, and arms are engaged. Reduce swinging.
None
Pair, Small Group, Large Group
Check out more games in this category such as 4x4, Checkpoint, and Pointer when you start your free trial today!
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