ABC Boulder Climbing Teams
The Team ABC program focuses on the long-term development of climbers, starting from a young age through young adulthood. We emphasize values of Community, Development and Excellence through everything we do and all the decisions we make, big and small. While Team ABC is a highly decorated program, with more Olympian alumni than any other climbing team in the country, we are also a deeply committed team who values growth, character, and love of sport. Success and accomplishments are the byproduct of our mission to empower kids through the sport of climbing.
Interested in signing up?
The Select Track is for motivated climbers who are eager to work hard alongside passionate teammates and coaches! The Select teams compete at the local, regional, and national levels where the focus is on developing world-class athletes and even better humans.
The Exploratory Track is all about fostering a love and appreciation of the sport through curiosity and adventure. Gym climbers, competitors, and outdoor climbers are supported in their climbing journey through intentional training plans, skill development, mental tactics, and team camaraderie.
The Foundational Track introduces climbing as a sport and instills a life-long love from the very beginning of a climber’s journey. Foundational team athletes learn what it means to be a climber and a teammate through fun games, drills, and coaching!
Team Assessments
Team ABC Assessments are designed to be a positive and informative experience for both athletes and coaches.
To monitor progress and ensure appropriate team placement, we conduct assessments of all athletes three times per year: in August (at the start of the USAC Bouldering Season), February (at the start of the Sport Season), and June (at the conclusion of the USAC Year).
While we have these formal assessment periods, we also encourage athletes to take responsibility for their development. If an athlete feels a mid-season adjustment would be beneficial, we are open to discussing and making those changes. This flexibility allows athletes to progress at a pace that is appropriate for them. Here's what you can expect during the assessment process:
We aim to announce all recommendations within 7 days of the assessment and allow athletes 14 days to decide whether to change teams.
Individualized Feedback: Every athlete will receive a personalized recommendation from their coach, outlining their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback will focus on what the athlete can do to progress to the next team level.
Opportunity for Team Change: Following the in program assessment, we will open up the sign-up period for athletes who are interested in changing teams but it’s not clear if the athlete is prepared for making that transition.
Practice-Like Format: The (optional) assessment will be structured like a regular practice session to give athletes a chance to perform in a familiar environment.
Two-Way Evaluation: The assessment is not only for coaches to evaluate athletes, but also for athletes to get to know the coaches and team dynamics at the next level.
Holistic Evaluation: Coaches will assess athletes on their desire to learn, curiosity, focus, effort, climbing ability, and sportsmanship.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Coaches will work together to determine the best recommendation for each athlete's development.