5 Common Footwork Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Want to know the secret to climbing better? It's not doing more pull-ups.

It's not campus boarding until your fingers bleed. It's not even about flexibility or having long arms. The real secret? Using your feet like a pro.

We see it every day at Strait Up Climbing. Climbers muscling their way up routes, arms burning, wondering why everything feels so hard. Then we watch them glance down at their feet and realize they've been standing on terrible footholds (or worse, barely using their feet at all).

Good climbing is about smart feet, not strong arms. Your legs are way stronger than your arms, so learning to use them efficiently will transform your climbing overnight. Here are five footwork mistakes we see constantly and how to fix them.

1. Stomping Instead of Placing

You know that loud THWACK sound when someone slaps their foot onto a hold? That's wasted energy.

The mistake: New climbers tend to stomp or kick their foot at holds, hoping it sticks. It's rushed, it's loud, and it doesn't give you the precision you need.

The fix: Slow down and place your foot deliberately. Look at the hold, aim your toe, and set it down with control. Quiet feet = efficient feet. When you place your foot intentionally, you'll feel more stable, use less energy, and have better balance for the next move.

Try this: Next session, climb an easy route and focus entirely on making zero noise with your feet. It's harder than it sounds, but it'll force you to be more precise.

2. Looking Up Instead of Down

This one's huge. Most climbers stare up at the handholds, planning their next grab, completely forgetting that their feet need to move too.

The mistake: You're so focused on where your hands are going that you miss great footholds below you. Then you end up stuck in an awkward position, arms screaming, with no idea where to put your feet.

The fix: Glance down often. Before you reach for the next handhold, check your feet. Where can they go? Is there a better foothold just to the left? Can you step higher to take weight off your arms? Your feet should be leading the way, not just following along.

Pro tip: On easier routes, practice looking at your feet for every single move. It'll feel weird at first, but it builds the habit of checking your options before committing.

3. Overusing Your Big Toe

Your big toe is great, but it's not the only tool you've got.

The mistake: Climbers, especially beginners, default to using the inside edge of their shoe (right over the big toe) for every single step. It works, but it severely limits your movement options and can throw off your balance depending on the hold angle.

The fix: Mix it up. Use your inside edge, outside edge, and even your heel depending on what the climb demands. Outside edges are clutch for side pulls and awkward body positions. Heels let you hook holds and take weight off your arms. The more tools you use, the more options you have.

Drill: Pick a route and intentionally use your outside edge for at least half the moves. It'll feel unnatural at first, but you'll start seeing opportunities you never noticed before.

4. Jumping Between Holds

Smooth, controlled movement is the hallmark of a good climber. Jumping? That's a sign you're rushing or unsure.

The mistake: You hop or jump from one foothold to the next, relying on momentum instead of balance. It works on easy routes, but the second you hit something harder, you'll lose stability and burn out fast.

The fix: Stay controlled and deliberate. Each movement should be smooth and intentional. If you're jumping, it usually means you're not trusting your feet or you're trying to muscle through instead of finding the right body position.

Think about it like this: Climbing should feel like a dance, not a wrestling match. Smooth, quiet movement means you're climbing efficiently. Jerky, loud movement means you're fighting the wall.

5. Not Trusting Your Feet

This is the biggest one. New climbers don't trust their feet to hold their weight, so they compensate by hugging the wall and pulling with their arms.

The mistake: You lean into the wall, chest pressed against the holds, hips tucked in close. It feels safer, but it actually makes your feet more likely to slip because your weight isn't centered over them.

The fix: Stand tall and push through your toes. Keep your hips away from the wall and your weight over your feet. It feels counterintuitive, like you're going to fall backward, but this is how you create friction and stability. When your hips are out and your chest is upright, your feet stick better and your arms do way less work.

Visualization: Imagine you're standing on a ladder. You don't hug the ladder—you stand upright with your hips out. Climbing works the same way.

Leanne's tip: When I'm doubting my feet, I literally chant "I'm a sticky person" in my head. Ridiculous? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

Drill to Try: The No-Hands Challenge

Here's one of our favorite drills to force better footwork: Climb an entire route without using your hands above shoulder height.

Use handholds only for balance, not pulling. You'll have to trust your feet completely, find creative footholds, and keep your weight centered. It's humbling, awkward, and incredibly effective.

Try it on a route that's 2-3 grades below your limit. You'll feel muscles activating in your legs and core that you didn't know existed.

The Takeaway

Your feet are your foundation. The more you trust them, the easier everything gets. Focus on precision, look down often, and experiment with different parts of your shoe. Your arms will thank you.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our Movement Technique Class where we break down footwork, body position, and efficiency in detail.