“Frogging” also known as the frog move is a bouldering and climbing technique to enhance stability and efficiency. It involves positioning the hips close to the wall and pointing the knees outward, resembling a frog’s stance. This posture allows climbers to maximize the use of their legs, reducing the load on their arms and conserving energy.
Its a great position to take a few seconds rest.
Why Use the Frog Move?
The primary goal of frogging is weight distribution. Beginners often climb with their hips “sagging” away from the wall, which forces the fingers and forearms to do all the work. Frogging forces your hips inward, allowing your skeletal structure and leg muscles to support your weight.
Key Aspects of Frogging
To execute a frog move, focus on these three pillars:
- Hip Positioning: Keeping the hips close to the wall lowers the climber’s center of gravity, improving balance and reducing the strain on the upper body.
- Knee Orientation: Pointing the knees outward enables the climber to engage the inner thigh muscles effectively, providing additional support and stability.
- Foot Placement: This technique often involves placing the feet close to each other pointing to oposing directions.
When to Use Frogging
- Resting: Because it shifts weight to the legs, it is the ideal position to shake out your arms or chalk up.
- Overhangs: It prevents the “barn-door” effect (swinging off the wall) by keeping your mass centered.
Neil Gresham, a renowned climbing coach, emphasizes the importance of frogging in his masterclass series. He notes that climbers who struggle to keep their weight on their feet during overhangs or feel that their hips are pulling them away from the wall can benefit significantly from mastering this technique.
Sources
YouTube – Neil Gresham on the frog move
Neil gresham – climbing technics