How to Do Parkour Freestyle Moves

In general, parkour differs from free running in its philosophical approach to movement. While free running allows the practitioner to express him or herself through a limitless variety of moves, parkour challenges the traceur to travel through the urban environment in the most efficient way possible. Despite this minimalistic approach, however, there are a number of parkour moves traceurs perform simply for fun.

Instructions

The Palm Spin

1. Find a railing or retaining wall to spin on that's about waist height.

2. Approach the obstacle with a few short, controlled steps.

3. Reach out to the obstacle with both hands. Rotate your left hand outward so it's pointing toward the ground. Post your right hand next to your left in a normal position.

4. Hop from the ground, tuck your legs and spin around your hands to the left.

5. Push off of the obstacle with your right hand and allow your rotational momentum to carry you around your left.

The Wall Spin

1. Find a solid vertical surface to spin on. Brick and concrete walls are ideal, although vinyl siding on houses also works well enough.

2. Approach the wall in the same manner as you approached the obstacle for the palm spin.

3. Punch the ground with both feet as you reach out for the wall with your hands. Like the palm spin, your left hand must be turned away from your body and pointing toward the ground.

4. Tuck your legs and spin around your posted left arm.

5. Lift your right hand off of the wall and finish the spin. Be sure to land softly on the balls of your feet to avoid impact injuries.

The Front Flip

1. Look for a small set of stairs or a short wall to flip off of.

2. Position yourself at the top of the stairs, then take a few powerful steps toward the edge.

3. Draw your arms up around your shoulders and punch the ground with a two-footed stomp.

4. Allow your body to rise slightly before beginning the rotation of the flip.

5. Throw your arms down as you pull your legs into a tight tucked position. This provides the momentum you need to carry you through the flip.

6. Land on the balls of your feet, then execute a roll to absorb the extra impact of the drop.

Resources

• Here's a short clip of the parkour palm spin.
• Watch this traceur execute a solid freestyle wall spin.