Long time Parkour practitioner Naim released a new video the other day. Though it isn’t spectacular (and there’s not a flip to be seen) you should watch it. Now.
What I really like about this video is that, when I imagine “Parkour”, this is a lot like what I picture in my head. Even though you aren’t taking the most “efficient” path in terms of speed and economy of energy or movement, you’re still cutting a forward path through the obstacles, constantly moving.
I don’t make much distinction between “Freerunning” and “Parkour” but, in my eyes, this video highlights the fundamental difference. When using your movement to “Free Run” you’d probably be backtracking, switching, adding extra motions to make the most of the environment itself. When moving for “Parkour” you’re using the environment to lay down a new path, looking for skill, power, speed, and fluidity; if the motion requires extra spin so be it but you don’t go out of your way to make it happen. It happens as part of the overall whole.
Motion 2.0 