Climbing Words

Learn it

Four words the gym uses every session. A send is getting to the top without falling. A flash is sending it the first time you ever try it. A redpoint is sending it after working the moves out over several goes. A project is the one you are still working on.

Give an example of each from a wall they can see, so the words point at something real.

Apply it

Everyone picks two climbs: one they think they can flash, one that will be a project. Try the flash first, because a flash only exists on the first attempt.

After each go, they say which word applies to what just happened.

Demonstrate understanding

• They use the right word unprompted when talking about their own climbing.
• They can say why a climb they sent on the third try is a redpoint and not a flash.
• Asked what their project is, they name a specific route rather than a grade.

If the concept isn't sticking

Flash and redpoint keep swapping. Anchor it on the attempt number: first go only, or any go after that. Nothing else separates them.

Project sounds like failure. Say out loud that every coach in the building has one. A project is the climb you chose because it is hard, which is the opposite of a climb that beat you.