Watch Overcoming the Fear of Falling and Tips to Fall Safe

Falling can be scary, but holding back from pushing yourself above gear can hold you back. Many new climbers struggle with it and it’s important to practice whippers on routes with lots of clearance.

Some basics about falling: Warn your belayer, shout “falling,” watch where you’re falling, breathe to relax, keep arms bent and hand up and out, loosen your legs and let them absorb the fall.

Never fall with the rope behind your leg or foot, it can lead to a dangerous flip. Always push away from the rock and never grab anything on the way down. Falling can be dangerous, practice before you put yourself into a bad position. Below are a few steps one climber took to get over her fear.