Key takeaways
- A sidepull is a vertically oriented hold you pull sideways on, toward your body.
- You lean away from it, using opposition with your feet to create holding tension.
- Body position is key — set your feet so you can pull against the hold effectively.
- It's the opposite of a gaston (pushing outward on a similar hold).
What a sidepull is
A sidepull is a climbing hold oriented vertically (facing sideways) that you pull on horizontally, toward your body, while leaning away from it. Because the hold faces sideways rather than up, you don’t pull straight down — you pull sideways and use your body weight leaning away to create the tension that keeps you on.
How to use one
Pull the hold toward your body and lean away, setting your feet to push in opposition — the opposition between your hand pulling sideways and your feet pushing the other way is what makes a sidepull work. Good body position (often getting your hips and weight to the side) lets you use the sideways hold effectively and free the other hand to reach.
Facing a vertical edge that faces sideways, a climber grabs it as a sidepull — pulling it toward them and leaning their body away while pressing their feet against the wall in opposition — which stabilizes them enough to reach up with the other hand to the next hold.
Sidepull vs gaston
Both use sideways-facing holds, in opposite directions: a sidepull pulls the hold toward you (leaning away), while a gaston pushes it away (elbow out, like opening a sliding door). Which you use depends on the hold’s orientation and your next move. They’re complementary techniques, alongside the undercling and balance tools like flagging.
The bottom line
A sidepull is a sideways-facing hold you pull toward your body while leaning away, using opposition with your feet to create the tension that holds you on. Body position is everything — set your feet to pull against the hold effectively. It's the mirror image of a gaston (where you push outward instead), and a versatile, common way to use vertically oriented holds.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sidepull in climbing?
A sidepull is a climbing hold oriented vertically (facing to the side) that you pull on horizontally, toward your body, while leaning away from it. The hold faces sideways rather than up, so instead of pulling straight down, you pull sideways and use your body weight leaning away to create the tension that keeps you on.
How do you use a sidepull?
Pull the hold toward your body and lean away from it, setting your feet so you can push against them in opposition — the opposition between your hand pulling sideways and your feet pushing the other way is what makes the sidepull work. Good body position (often getting your hips and weight to the side) lets you use the hold's sideways orientation effectively and reach with the other hand.
What's the difference between a sidepull and a gaston?
Both use vertically oriented holds, but in opposite directions: with a sidepull you pull the hold toward your body (and lean away), while with a gaston you push the hold away from your body (elbow out, like opening a sliding door). Which you use depends on the hold's orientation and where you need to move. They're complementary techniques for sideways-facing holds.
Sources
- Holds & climbing technique — American Alpine Club
- Movement skills — UIAA