How to Do a Parkour Monkey Vault

The Monkey Vault is a parkour movement similar to the Kong Vault. In fact, it's almost identical to the Kong Vault, except you don't need as much speed to do it. You can use the Monkey Vault to overcome low-lying obstacles like picnic tables, railings and park benches. The vault also lets you preserve your momentum while clearing an obstacle and keep your flow going, which is important in parkour.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find an obstacle over which to vault. Although walls are generally too high, some are low enough to accommodate the vault. Picnic tables are really your best bet, though, because they're stable and just the right height.
2. Move back from the obstacle and prepare to charge. Give yourself enough space to build up a moderate amount of speed.
3. Begin your approach by accelerating forward with controlled, but powerful, steps. You don't want to hit the obstacle running at a dead sprint, so save some of your energy for the vault, itself.
4. Jump forward and punch the ground with both of your feet. At the same time, place your hands on top of the obstacle.
5. Draw your legs up beneath your body into a tucked position as you vault over the obstacle. Lean forward slightly to get your body weight moving in the direction of your vault.
6. Push off of the obstacle using a strong shoulder deflection. This is the key to executing the Monkey Vault safely.
7. Land on the other side of the obstacle in a step-out position and continue your flow.