Belaying is the climbing term for controlling the (safety) rope whilst the climber climbs.
Climbers will more often than not, take it turns as a pair. One of them climbing whilst the other belays. Then they swap. So belaying is an essential skill all climbers must learn, and learn correctly.
When belaying the rope passes through a belay device and this device is clipped into the belayers harness. Correct use of the belay device is essential and of utmost importance as the climbers life rests in the belayers hands should they fall!
Having said that, it is a fairly basic skill and one of three (correctly putting on a harness, belaying and tying in) we teach on our “Introduction to Rope Safety/Belaying” course. Most people can master these skills during this course. If not then we will offer extra tuition free of charge until they can.