Climbing is a sport that requires both strength and technique. One of the most critical techniques for climbers is the climbing toe hook. This guide will teach you how to toe hook so you can start climbing like a pro!
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And, of course, when you should be using this type of foot grip while you’re out on the crack.
What is the Toe Hook Climbing Technique?
Toe hook climbing is a rock climbing hooking technique that uses your toe to grip a wall while you’re on a crack. This gives you more stability and can help you to avoid falling.
It’s also a great way to rest your feet while you’re climbing, as it takes the pressure off of your toes and allows them to grip the wall in a much more relaxed way.
When To Use The Toe Hook Rock Climbing Technique

The toe hook for rock climbing can be a great way to keep your body close to the wall when trying to move around a corner or over an obstacle. It can also be used as a way to stabilize yourself while you’re traversing across a wall.
Heel Toe Cam Climbing Technique
The heel-toe cam climbing technique is a great way to get a good grip on small holds. This move is often used when footholds are scarce, and you need to use your entire foot to gain purchase.
Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Start with your weight balanced evenly between your feet.
- 2. Place your heel on the hold, then twist your foot, so your toes point down.
- 3. Dig your toes into the wall to gain purchase, then press down with your heel to complete the move.
If you’re new to rock climbing, the toe hook rock climbing technique can be tricky to master. But with a bit of practice, you’ll be able to use it to your advantage on small holds.
How To Perform The Toe Hook
- Start by finding a good foothold on the wall. You’ll want to ensure that your toe gets a good grip on the surface.
- Once you’ve found a good foothold, place your foot so that your big toe points up.
- Reach down with your hand and grab hold of your big toe.
- Use your toe to hook onto the wall and pull yourself up.
- 5. Repeat as needed until you reach your destination.
Toe Hook Training Climbing Drills

There are a few different drills that you can do to help you master the toe hook.
Learning to Place Your Foot in The Right Position
The first drill is to practice placing your foot in the correct position simply.
- Start by finding a good foothold on the wall. Once you’ve found a good foothold, place your foot so that your big toe points up.
- Reach down with your hand and grab hold of your big toe.
- Use your toe to hook onto the wall and pull yourself up.
- Repeat this drill until you feel comfortable with the placement of your foot.
Use The Toe Hook Around Obstacles
The second drill is to practice using your toe to hook around obstacles.
- Start by finding a small ledge or crack you can use as an obstacle.
- Once you’ve found an obstacle, place your foot so that your big toe points up.
- Reach down with your hand and grab hold of your big toe.
- Use your toe to hook around the obstacle and pull yourself up.
- Repeat this drill until you feel comfortable using your toe to hook around obstacles.
Use The Toe Hook to Get A Cross a Wall
The third drill uses the toe hook to get across a wall.
- Start by finding a good foothold on the wall.
- Once you’ve found a good foothold, place your foot so that your big toe points up.
- Reach down with your hand and grab hold of your big toe.
- Use your toe to hook onto the wall and pull yourself up.
- As you pull yourself up, move your other foot to the next foothold.
- Repeat this drill until you feel comfortable traverse a wall using the toe hook.
Practicing Getting Over Obstacles with The Toe Hook

The fourth drill is to use the hooking technique to overcome obstacles.
- Start by finding a small ledge or crack you can use as an obstacle.
- Once you’ve found an obstacle, place your foot so that your big toe points up.
- Reach down with your hand and grab hold of your big toe.
- Use your toe to hook over the obstacle and pull yourself up.
- As you pull yourself up, move your other foot to the next foothold.
- Repeat this drill until you feel comfortable climbing over obstacles using the toe hook.
Get Around Corners Using the Toe Hook Technique
The fifth and final drill is to practice moving around a corner using the toe hook.
- Start by finding a good foothold on the wall.
- Once you’ve found a good foothold, place your foot so that your big toe points up.
- Reach down with your hand and grab hold of your big toe.
- Use your toe to hook around the corner and pull yourself up.
- As you pull yourself up, move your other foot to the next foothold.
- Repeat this drill until you feel comfortable moving around corners using the toe hook.
Other Rock Climbing Technique Hooks You May Need
Besides the toe hook, there are a few other rock climbing technique hooks you may need to know.
The Heel Hook
The heel hook is a move where you use your heel to grip the wall and pull yourself up. This move is often used in bouldering and lead climbing.
The Kneebar
The kneebar is a move where you place your knee in a crack and use it to apply pressure to the wall to hold yourself in place.
Finger Hooks
Finger hooks are a move where you use your fingers to grip small holds on the wall and pull yourself up. This move is often used in bouldering and lead climbing.
FAQ’s Toe Hook Climbing Technique
What Is a Toe Hook in Climbing?
A toe hook is a move where you use your toe to grip the wall and pull yourself up. This move is often used in bouldering and lead climbing.
How Do I Make My Toe Hook Better?
Practice the toe hook until you feel comfortable using it.
How Do You Use Heel/Toe Hooks?
Heel/toe hooks are one of the most versatile and essential tools in a climber’s toolkit. They can be used for everything from increasing your reach on the move to providing stability on a small foothold.
How Do You Heel Hook a Climber?
There are two main ways to heel hook a climber. The first is with your foot behind the climber’s heel, and the second is with your foot in front of the climber’s heel.
How Do You Train to Climb a Toe Hook?
- You can do a few things to train for climbing a toe hook. The first is to practice reaching with your foot behind the climber’s heel.
- The second is to practice placing your foot in front of the climber’s heel.
- The third is to work on your flexibility and range of motion to reach further with your foot behind the climber’s heel.
- The fourth is to build your strength to hold on to the toe hook for extended periods.