Compression
What Is It?
Compression is a climbing technique where the climber generates opposing force between both hands or both feet—or a combination of all four—by pressing outward against holds or features. Rather than pulling down or stepping up, the climber squeezes features together to create stability, often bridging across volumes, arêtes, or wide pinches.
When & Why to Use It
Compression is commonly used:
- On boulders or routes with wide pinches, opposing aretes, or large volumes When standard pulling or edging won’t work due to lack of directional holds To maintain position on overhanging terrain where tension and body pressure are key During powerful sequences that require whole-body engagement and spatial awareness It’s often a full-body technique that demands strength, tension, and coordination from fingers to core to legs.
What It Looks Like
The climber positions their hands and/or feet on opposite sides of a feature (e.g., two sides of a volume or between an arête and wall) and actively pushes or squeezes inward. The body often appears expanded or stretched between contact points, with visible core tension. Legs may push outward against holds or features to add to the overall force. Poor form results in sagging, slipping, or losing tension between the contact points.
Common Steps
- Identify opposing surfaces or features that allow pressure in opposite directions.
- Place hands and/or feet in a way that allows pushing or squeezing outward.
- Engage your core to link the tension between upper and lower body.
- Adjust the degree and direction of pressure to match hold angles.
- Maintain compression as you move or transition to the next position.
Key Principles & Cues
- “Squeeze like a sandwich press”
- “Push out to stay in”
- “Full-body tension”
- “Hands and feet work together”
Common Mistakes
- Insufficient tension: Without active squeezing, the body slips or sags
- Incorrect body alignment: Misplacing feet or hands can make compression inefficient or impossible
- Overgripping without body tension: Wastes energy and reduces stability
- Trying to pull instead of press: Compression requires outward force, not downward pulling
