Parcour

ok, this is more of a youth culture thing really but.......i've just been watching an article on bbciplayer about parcour. Now there's some misunderstanding about parcour. You may have heard of free running as it's generally refered to here in the UK but there are slight differences. Free running aims to get from a to b as quick as possible by means of overcoming objects such as jumping, climbing over etc. Parcour is the same but incorporates "street acrobatics" but generally involves chases as glorified in films such as Casino Royale, district 13 etc.

Now during this article the reporter claims this about parcour..."Some see it as an extreme sport, others as a martial art."

I disagree it's a martial art, yet it does look superb when mixed with wu shu. It is dangerous, but the participant (or trausseur) controls the danger level.

I do a bit of parcour whenever i get the chance and i like to push myself to jump further, higher, faster and be able to climb the "impossible" but i've done this stuff for over a decade and built myself up to be able to push boundaries and jump safely off rooftops (i used to do this on my skates much to my parents dismay:affraid: ) (the key is controlling your landing and dicipating the impact).

The "sport" does require alot of discipline for training i.e. running, strength, flexibility in some cases, yet it doesnt involve having to strike objects such as pad or bag work.

If your unsure of what parcour/free running is search it on youtube, theres tonnes of vids on there.

Would anyone here consider it a martial art

I'm a huge fan of Sebastien Foucan and Parcour, in fact I was supposed to be in Glasgow this weekend at a Parcour event, but it clashed with a Terry Barnett seminar.

Anyhoo, in my opinion, Parcour doesn't need to borrow a label from anything else, it is unique, accomplished and very cool in it's own right. Labelling it a martial art is, in my opinion, doing it an injustice.

The athletes in Parcour are probably in better shape than most people in martial arts. They are certainly more free thinking, spontanious, creative and dynamic. And, to be honest, their speed and skill at running away over any terrain, is probably a more effective form of self protection!

Here Here Michael - nice post.

I agree - whilst I'm too much of a lump on my feet to partake myself - would probably end up crashing through walls rather than back-flipping over them. I think Parcour is an absolutely amazing.

I only wish I could do some of the stuff these guys do - incredible!

But, to call it a martial art - when there isn't actually anything "martial" in there is, as you said, doing parcour an injustice.

What next? will snowboarding be a martial art too?
(perhaps it will, some of the guys I saw on my last rtip to the snowdome were able to take out 2 or 3 people at once - very impressive)

And I also agree about the fitness thing - definitely more fitness than with most martial artists (myself included!)

Al

Good replys. Totally agree with you Mike on the fitness and spontanaety and the free thinking. (or thinking outside the box as i like to view it)

Al - believe it or not you could do a spot of free running easily. The acrobatics and extreme jumps/heights is more or less at the top end of the sport. It all starts with basics such as going for a run in a forest, seeing a fallen tree and leaping over it, same with gates and stiles. You don't have to clear the objects just get over it in as fluid and smooth a fashion as possible. With time the fluidity improves as with martial arts training. Its all in the practicing.

And i've also bought a copy of your new dvd Al, should arrive by end of week. Looking forward to it. Even got the mrs interested!

Hi Mate

Nice one - yeah, DVD should be with you today or tomorrow at the latest - many thanks for the order and the support

Might have to give this free-running a go then

Although, fell out the back of a van moving house the other weekend so it doesn't bode well

Take care - speak soon

AL

HAHA, dvd literally just popped thru the door and it's already in the dvd player. Thanks Al

If we look back into the history of Parcour we note that it does have a martial side to it, perhaps the most important practical side in terms of self defence - escape!

Parkour is a physical activity that is difficult to categorize. Often miscategorized as a sport or an extreme sport, parkour has no set of rules, team work, formal hierarchy, or competitiveness.[4][5] On the contrary it is more like an art or discipline that resembles self-defense in the ancient martial arts.[6][7] According to David Belle, "the physical aspect of parkour is getting over all the obstacles in your path as you would in an emergency. You want to move in such a way, with any movement, as to help you gain the most ground on someone or something, whether escaping from it or chasing toward it."[8] Thus, when faced with a hostile confrontation with a person, one will be able to speak, fight, or flee. As martial arts are a form of training for the fight, parkour is a form of training for the flight.[7] Because of its unique nature, it is often said that parkour is in its own category.

Ref: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parcour

I referenced it in my Process series of articles. Parcour/free-running without the acrobatics etc. would be considered as a series of Strategy One tactics in CCMA self-defence

Furthermore it would appear that Freerunning is the acrobatic one and Parcour the more pragmatic version:

An important characteristic of parkour is efficiency[citation needed]. Practitioners move not only as fast as they can, but also in the most direct and efficient way possible; a characteristic that distinguishes it from the similar practice of free running, which places more emphasis on freedom of movement[citation needed], such as acrobatics. Efficiency also involves avoiding injuries, short and long-term, part of why parkour's unofficial motto is être et durer (to be and to last). Those who are skilled at this activity normally have an extremely keen spatial awareness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parcour

Worked with a free runner on the last game I mo-capped on. "Quantum of Solace."
Bloody brilliant. He was so nimble I taught him some kicks and he picked them up very quickly....Go on Al take it up!!!!

I would love to see you chasing Tully over the Coventry skyline!

now why does that bring the benny hill tune to mind now Bob?

Cheers Bob, you saying my Kicks need work?

Judging by last nights efforts - you're probably right
(thought I'd get that in before any of Terry's Tuesday night lads dive in there)

Not sure the Coventry roofs could take the weight of the Tulster though - especially if he had his wallet in his pocket!

I'm always getting the two confused. I usually practice getting past objects and ocassionally throw in acrobatics but purely for improving jump height.
The benny hill tune would be apt in a video.
How about putting an assault course as part of a seminar for fleeing but keeping it realistic but to suit all abilities

tbh, if i had anything as difficult to get around/over as an assault course behind me, id opt to smash the guy. rather that than have him risk catching up and having my back.

Call me mick"parcour" tully
tig you're it bob! X

Mick "plasterer" Tully

Mick, have you ever thought about training with your plasterer's stilts on?

You never know when it might kick-off whilst you're doing someone's ceiling!!!

Parcour with Stilts - now that's a sport!!!!

hahaha!! Have you heard of pro-jumps? Stilts with springs attached!? I've got some. Bloody dangerous yet fun!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R1O1YaD-Gpw