Parkour Basics

This move forms a base for a wall run, which is incorporated in advanced parkour skills. The traceur becomes not only physically strong but also develops tremendous mind and body coordination and excellent overall control on the body. As with other moves, here also choice of apparatus or object is important since you are a beginner. Ensure that the wall is neither too high nor too low, to give you a decent climb. Even the texture of the wall should not be too slimy or too rough as it will either make you slip during the climb or hurt you with its roughness.

Once you are done with the selection of the wall, start approaching the wall with small strides and when you are a little closer, jump while placing the ball of your foot on the wall. Immediately, support yourself by touching one hand to the wall. Decide which leg you are going to use to lead the jump. If you are using left leg then the hand that will support you will be the right hand. Then put your left hand on top (horizontal surface) of the wall followed by the right hand. Place both feet with the balls against the wall, which will give you a cat leap position. Now try to push yourself up with the arms and once you get into an upright position, climb the wall surface and start running.

It is an important move to be learned during parkour training because it not only helps clear an object but also cover more distance. It is similar to monkey vault, but is more difficult because the focus is on gaining distance rather than just clearing the object. It is useful to clear larger and longer objects like large barriers. A ledge with a landing of grass or a picnic table placed on grass are great options for practicing this vault.

If you look at the images, you will understand that firstly, you will have to jump off with both feet, hips coming up to the head level as if you are diving. Then your hands should reach out to hold the ledge and while doing so, legs should be tucked in completely. Try to place the hands as far on the object as possible, to obtain more distance. Push off the ledge surface with arms as hard as you can and at the same time carry the legs up and over the ledge. Release the hands and extend the legs out for landing. Do not tuck out the legs while on the ledge as it may obstruct the move and you may end up hurting yourself.

The main objective of a roll in parkour is to reduce the impact of the drop from a jump, vault or any other advanced parkour move. In other words, a good roll gives a safe end to your current move and at the same time provides the momentum required for the next move. Before understanding the basic technique for a good roll, it is important to note that the working of a roll will differ according to the moves preceding it. Also, it will take months to master a perfect roll hence, choose an area that has grass surface or a soft carpet for initial practice. Further, decide on which side (right or left) you will take the roll. Here, we have chosen right side for the purpose of explanation.

Now, when you hit the ground after a jump or a sprint, look for the correct spot to place your hands as correct placement of hands will only give you a perfect roll. As we have assumed the roll on right, the hands are supposed to be placed slightly on the left side. This will offer space for the right shoulder to be placed correctly enhancing the rolling movement. Then, to exit the roll, it is important to tuck in your left leg and make space for the right leg to position itself. Once you get right leg in the correct position, you will exit the roll efficiently and continue to take the next move with forward momentum from the roll.