By Eric Higgins (aka HiggiE)
Yet another week of working out. School started up again for me so I was able to get some decent outdoor training, however training outdoors was difficult, do to snow. I made do with what I could find. This week I had decided to concentrate on more of the basics of Parkour.
When I explain to others what some of the basics of Parkour include, I tell them about moves such as:
Rolls
Kongs
Cats
Dashes
Speed vaults
Reverse vaults
Precisions
Bar work
Rolls
Kongs
Cats
Dashes
Speed vaults
Reverse vaults
Precisions
Bar work
These are definitely the basic moves to Parkour but something I have come to realize recently is that they are not a good way too look at the basics. The reason why is you become constrained to think of a environment as an area you can do these basic moves.
It is good still to learn these moves so you can execute movement in confidence. But it should not be the main goal in learning basic Parkour. Instead the main goal of leaning basic Parkour should be to first to just move. However you think you can get over an object. There will be a leaning curve at this point. Some individuals will be more advanced because of experience in other sports but everyone will make it through in there own way.
Some individuals may put a knee down or a food. But over time they will learn to be more efficient and be able to execute the basic moves I listed earlier.
Some individuals may put a knee down or a food. But over time they will learn to be more efficient and be able to execute the basic moves I listed earlier.
In learning Parkour this way there is a greater sense of personal progression, personal need for control and, needing to learn how to crash.
Parkour is about progression and leaning. It is amazing what our bodies are capable of sometimes. In Parkour it is important to explore progression but to do it safely and thoughtfully. Progression is about becoming better but also breaking down new moves and working them in there basics. I wont go do a crazy jump until I have practiced and known that I can already do it in a safe environment.
Parkour is also about control. Without control there is a possibility if injury. It is import to safety and also helps us progress in the discipline. The way you develop control is through repetition and executing moves with proper technique. Some people may be sloppy at a basic vault where as someone more experienced would have a different level of control because the move would be more ingrained in there mind and muscle memory.
The first thing anyone needs to learn in Parkour is to be able to crash. This also includes rolling, or the ability to transfer motion and stress on your body. Many Traceurs get away without properly
knowing this. Without understanding crashing and stresses on the body a Traceur puts stresses on different bones, ligaments, and muscles in the body and can cause long term injuries. These injuries can take a long time to heal from. (I will talk more on this specifically next week)
knowing this. Without understanding crashing and stresses on the body a Traceur puts stresses on different bones, ligaments, and muscles in the body and can cause long term injuries. These injuries can take a long time to heal from. (I will talk more on this specifically next week)
There is a certain level of caution which should be recognized when learning Parkour, because it can be dangerous, however it is NO more dangerous than many of the other sports out there if you learn it with a specific level of progression and control.
Next week I will continue this topic by talking more about Developing the Basics of Parkour. Have a great week of training.
