Nick Ranelli

THE SECRET TO POGOS

If pogos feel impossible for you, it’s because your timing is off.

Typically, the issue lies in the climber’s timing and direction of movement.

Here’s the breakdown👇🏼

1️⃣Perspective (Most climbers get this wrong)

A pogo isn’t for power; it’s for assistance.

The momentum generated from the pogo reduces the power requirement from your upper body and creates flow.

2️⃣Timing (The common problem)

A pogo only helps if your pull matches it. Don’t let the momentum outrun your pull.

If you pull at the top, it’s too late.
If you pull too early, you lose the assist.

Pull as your foot hits peak height.

3️⃣Direction

Where the foot goes, the body follows. In addition to properly timing the pogo, you need to kick towards the hold you’re going to.

Kick through the hold, not just up.

4️⃣Mechanics

Stay tight through your core while letting the leg swing freely.

You’ll notice in the video that my pogo leg is mostly straight with some knee flexion, allowing a longer lever to create more momentum while maintaining tension.

Next time you’re working on a pogo, apply these adjustments and watch the magic happen!

Strong climbers miss pogos all the time; it’s a movement problem, not a strength problem.

If you want help training movement intentionally, remote coaching spots are available!

🔥Personalized Training Programs & Direct Mentorship
🔥Structured Skill Practice
🔥Periodized Strength Training
🔥In-Depth Mental Conditioning

Comment “COACH,” and I’ll send the link to apply!

STOP LOSING SWINGS - DO THIS INSTEAD

Can’t control swings?

You’re over-relying on your fingers instead of body position.

This is the scorpion position👇🏼

🔹Feet drive behind you
🔹Chest drives forward
🔹Shoulder blades come together

This position makes you instantly stronger on the swing, every time.

You don’t control the swing after you catch it—you control it AS you catch it. Do this instead👇🏼

🔥As you go for the hold, pull your shoulder blades together and drive your chest forward.

Most climbers try to fight the swing.
The best climbers redirect it.

🔥Practice this on the wall by intentionally jumping between positive holds.

Practice👇🏼
🔹Jump between good holds
🔹Hit the scorpion position
🔹Lock it in AS you latch

Strength matters. Positions decide.

If you want to actually fix your movement—not just get stronger—comment “COACH,” and I’ll reach out with details on how to apply for remote coaching.

🔹Personalized Training Programs & Direct Mentorship
🔹Structured Skill Practice
🔹Periodized Strength Training
🔹In-Depth Mental Conditioning

WHY YOU KEEP BACKING OFF MOVES (EVEN WHEN YOU’RE STRONG ENOUGH)

How often do you hesitate to do a particular type of move?

You know the fear I’m talking about. The move is insecure, and your brain floods with what-if scenarios.

Fear isn’t random—it follows a pattern.

The most common reason I see climbers struggle to commit is that they’re too focused on what they CAN’T control.

Fear follows a 3-step loop:

1️⃣ Trigger
You feel unstable → your brain flags danger
(It’s not height—it’s uncertainty.)

2️⃣ Response
“What if I slip?” → hesitation → backing off

3️⃣ Reward
You avoid the move → your brain reinforces hesitation

👉🏻This is why fear keeps showing up.

But fear doesn’t have to win — here’s how you can change the story👇🏼

🔥 Analyze The Beta:
Be patient. Break the move down until every hand + foot placement is predictable and there’s no uncertainty left in the movement.

🔥 Identify The Trigger:
Pinpoint exactly what creates the insecurity.
Solve that = reduce fear.

🔥 Visualize & Speak Success:
Picture yourself sticking the move confidently — in both first- and third-person views. Additionally, speak to yourself as if you’ve already done the move with conviction.

Clarity kills hesitation.

Confidence is built, not felt. Don’t let fear control you; turn it into a tool. Focus on the climbing and your self-talk because that’s what’s in your control and NOTHING ELSE.

If you want help training your mind and building rock-solid confidence, remote coaching spots are available!

🔥Personalized Training Programs & Direct Mentorship
🔥Structured Skill Practice
🔥Periodized Strength Training
🔥In-Depth Mental Conditioning

Comment “COACH,” and I’ll send the link to apply!

Every climber deals with this at some point.

WHY MOST CLIMBERS FAIL CAMPUS PADDLES

Campus paddles aren’t about power—they’re about precision and positioning.

Master these 3 components 👇🏼

1️⃣Hand Positioning

Because we need to pull with our upper bodies during this movement actively, we need to find the ideal hand position on each hold that gives us maximum pull in the desired direction.

Here’s what most climbers get wrong 👇🏼

A common mistake I see is climbers focusing solely on where their torso is during the movement and almost ignoring the hand position on the holds.

👉🏻Bad Hands = Wasted Momentum

2️⃣Timing

You can’t pause mid-move—so timing has to be automatic. When to pull and kip.

As your hands connect and your body moves through space, the tension you intrinsically feel will change throughout the movement.

When your body is in a straight line to the end position, you pull and kip to complete the movement.

Emma’s cue to pull and kip for the finishing jug is that split second where tension increases.

👉🏻Move Too Early/Late = You’ll Miss

3️⃣Pull & Kip

The other common mistake I notice is climbers relying on their momentum to carry them through the entire movement.

It’s crucial to actively pull through with your upper body and kip your hips as you enter the ideal ending position of these campus paddles.

👉🏻Momentum Starts It. Pulling Finishes It.

Emma didn’t hit this right away.
She learned to feel the timing—and everything clicked.

Movement is the multiplier. Train it as it matters.

If you want help training movement intentionally, remote coaching spots are available!

🔥Personalized Training Programs & Direct Mentorship
🔥Structured Skill Practice
🔥Periodized Strength Training
🔥In-Depth Mental Conditioning

Comment “COACH” and I’ll send the link to apply!