Lesson Overview & Objectives

This 7-session cycle is designed for climbers aged 13-16 who are already comfortable leading 5C routes. The core theme is Engagement—the mental ability to commit to movement, manage the fear of falling, and maintain focus when the "pump" sets in or the next bolt feels far away.

• Master efficient clipping techniques to minimize energy loss.
• Identify "Safe Zones" vs. "No-Fall Zones" on a route.
• Develop a personal "Pre-Flight" routine for mental focus.
• Execute controlled falls to build trust in the belay system and the belayer.
• Commit to dynamic moves (deadpoints/dynos) above the last piece of protection.
• Perform at personal physical limits by managing the "fear of failure."

Materials Needed

• Climbing harness, rock shoes, and chalk bag.
• Lead rope (minimum 30m) and dynamic belay device (Grigri or similar).
• Quickdraws (if not pre-placed).
• "Engagement Log" (a small notebook or digital doc).
• Stopwatch (for timing clips).
• A climbing gym or crag with routes ranging from 5C to 6B+.

Session 1: The Foundation of Trust (Clipping & Belaying)

Hook: "Did you know a bad clip can cost you 20% of your energy? Today, we make clipping second nature so your brain can focus on the climbing, not the rope."

• I Do: Demonstrate "The Perfect Clip" (two fingers in the biner, thumb steadying, rope through in one motion). Show "Z-clipping" and how to avoid it.
• We Do: Partners practice clipping a quickdraw at shoulder height while standing on the ground, then while hanging from a "jug" on a 5C route.
• You Do: Lead a 5C route with a focus on "Clips of Steel." Goal: Every clip must be completed in under 3 seconds.

Session 2: Breathing into the Burn (Stress Management)

Hook: "When we get scared or tired, we hold our breath. That's a signal to our brain to panic. We're going to hack our nervous system today."

• I Do: Demonstrate "Box Breathing" (4s inhale, 4s hold, 4s exhale, 4s hold) and the "Resting Shake-out."
• We Do: On a vertical 5C+, find a rest. Use the box breathing for 1 minute before moving to the crux.
• You Do: Climb a route near your limit. At every second bolt, you must stop, find a way to let go with one hand, and take three deep "power breaths" before continuing.

Session 3: Reading the Map (Visualization)

Hook: "Engagement starts on the ground. If you don't have a plan, you're just reacting. Pro climbers 'climb' the route three times in their head before they ever touch the wall."

• I Do: Model a "Route Preview." Point out the crux, the rest spots, and the "clipping stances."
• We Do: Students pair up to "Read" a 6A route. They must agree on the beta for the hardest section.
• You Do: The "Blindfold" Challenge (Partial). Close your eyes on the ground and "mime" the moves. Then, lead the route. If you hesitate for more than 5 seconds, you have to commit to the move you planned, even if it feels wrong.

Session 4: The Art of the Flight (Fall School)

Hook: "Engagement is impossible if you are terrified of the rope. Today, we turn falling from a 'failure' into a 'skill'."

• I Do: Explain the physics of a lead fall. Demonstrate a "Soft Catch" as a belayer.
• We Do: The "Take-to-Fall" Progression.
  1. Fall with the bolt at chest height (seated).
  2. Fall with the bolt at waist height.
  3. Fall with the bolt at feet height.
• You Do: "The Mystery Fall." On a safe, overhanging 5C+, the climber chooses a "drop zone." The belayer gives a "Go!" command at a random moment, and the climber must let go immediately.

Session 5: Dynamic Commitment (The Deadpoint)

Hook: "Static climbing is safe, but dynamic climbing is where the magic happens. Engagement means launching for a hold you aren't 100% sure you'll catch."

• I Do: Demonstrate a "Deadpoint"—using momentum to reach a hold at the apex of a movement.
• We Do: On a 6A with big holds, practice "throwing" for a hold that is just out of reach, trusting the feet to drive the upward motion.
• You Do: The "Commitment Move." Find a route with a slightly reachy move above a bolt. You are not allowed to "test" the hold. You must look at it, breathe, and go for it 100%.

Session 6: The Flow State (Non-Stop Climbing)

Hook: "Over-thinking is the enemy of engagement. Today, we climb without the 'Pause' button."

• I Do: Explain the concept of 'Flow'—where movement becomes automatic. Show the difference between "hesitation" and "calculation."
• We Do: "Silent Feet" drill. Climb a 5C focusing purely on the sound (or lack thereof) of your shoes. This focuses the mind on the present.
• You Do: "The Shark is Coming." Lead a 6A/6A+. Once you start, you cannot stop moving for more than 3 seconds unless you are at a designated rest. No chalking unless you are in a "Safe Zone." Keep the momentum!

Session 7: The Redpoint Challenge (The "Send")

Hook: "Everything we've learned—clipping, breathing, falling, and moving—comes together today. This is your personal 'project' day."

• Review: Recap the engagement strategies: The Pre-Flight ritual, the Breath, and the Commitment.
• The Activity: Students choose a route that is "at their limit" (6A+ or 6B).
  • Attempt 1: Bolt-to-bolt. Work the moves, find the clips, identify the "Engagement Zone" (where it gets scary or hard).
  • Attempt 2: The Full Send. The student must commit to climbing the route without "taking" on the rope.
• Closure: Discussion on "How it felt to give 100%," regardless of whether they reached the top.

Success Criteria

• Technical: Can the student clip correctly and belay a lead fall safely?
• Mental: Does the student attempt moves above the bolt without asking for a "Take"?
• Reflective: Can the student identify why they hesitated and what strategy (breathing, visualization) they used to overcome it?

Differentiation & Adaptability

• For the Hesitant Climber: Stay on overhanging routes where falls are "into space" and feel safer. Use a "top-rope-lead" (climbing lead with a top-rope backup) for Session 4.
• For the Advanced Climber: Increase the grade (6B+). Introduce "one-hand-only" clipping or "no-chalk" challenges to increase the mental demand.
• Homeschool/Small Group: Focus heavily on the "Engagement Log." Have the student write down their heart rate or "Fear Level" (1-10) after each climb.