Knots and partner check
Ready when: First bouldering sessions (b4) done.
What you are learning
The figure-eight knot that ties a climber to the rope, and the partner check that every pair does before every climb: harness, knot, carabiner, helmet. Here it is practised on a belt; on a real harness, gym staff check it.
Words on this card Harness, Figure-eight, Tail, Partner check
- Harness
- The straps worn round the waist and legs, the metal clip with a lock, and the device the rope runs through to stop a fall.
- Figure-eight
- The knot that ties the rope to the harness.
- Tail
- The loose end of the rope left after a knot.
- Partner check
- Checking each other's harness, knot, carabiner and helmet before every climb.
Set up
A 2 m length of soft rope; a belt or a loop of cord as a "harness".
Weather: any weather
Show it first for the one teaching
- Tie a figure-eight near one end of the rope: a loop, round the rope and back through, so it looks like an 8.
- Pass the end round the belt and follow the first knot back exactly, strand beside strand: the rethreaded figure-eight.
- Leave a tail of at least two hand-widths, then say the four checks aloud, pointing at each.
Your part while they practise
Check the tail length and quiz the check.
Step by step
- Tie a figure-eight.
- Then the rethreaded figure-eight round the belt, following the first knot back exactly.
- Tail at least two hand-widths.
- Say the partner check: harness fitted and buckled, knot correct, carabiner locked, helmet on.
How much: 5 knots 8 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Knot test
Tie the knot, then the partner checks it; then try with eyes closed, then behind the back.
Who plays: the child and a parent, checking each other.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Tie the rethreaded figure-eight round the belt
- The partner checks the strands, the tail and the four checks
- Then tie it with eyes closed, then behind the back
- 3 rounds
- Fair play
- A grown-up ties it one-handed for one round.
- Points
- 2 points for each knot correct; 1 point for each check said in order.
- Fouls
- No points for that knot
- Strands crossing instead of lying side by side
- A tail shorter than two hand-widths
- Skipping a check
- Winning
- Beat your best from 3 rounds.
- 8 points for 1 star
- 14 points for 2 stars
- 18 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A simple figure-eight.
Rethreaded, timed.
What you will see, and what to say
- the strands cross
Follow the first knot exactly
Side by side. - the tail is short
Two hands of tail
Measure it.
Self-check
3 correct figure-eights in a row checked by you.
Stop and get a coach when
Before any real climb: knots on a harness are checked by the gym staff.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains knot skill, the checking habit.
awiseathlete.com/sports/sport-climbing/sport-climbing-i2