Face climbing is a form of rock climbing...

Technique

Efficient face climbing is largely dependent on footwork. ^{[1]: p. 3} The two most common foot techniques are smearing, in which friction is generated by pressing the front of the shoe against round irregularities in the rock face, and edging, in which the side of the shoe is placed on flat edges in the rock face. ^{[2]: p. 15–16} On steep overhanging routes, climbers perform heel hooks and toe hooks by placing the foot above a hold and pulling with the hamstring; this can be used to relieve strain on the arms, or to prevent the body from rotating away from the rock face while moving sideways. ^{[1]: p. 9–10}

^{[3]: p. 59}

^{[4]: p. 211–216}

References