I am fairly new to parkour (totaling a few months). I find myself lately asking if I should be attempting certain obstacles. Like tonight I konged a picnic table. I went from doing objects like small walls and rails to a picnic table. Is that wise? I mean, I did do it and few more times afterwards as well. Also for instance I see a 12-15ft wall and wonder if I have the ability to scale it. Because I can wall climb around a 9-10ft wall. Should I attempt the 12-15ft wall climb? Just to let everyone know I tried and didnt make it, I was about 1.5-2ft short. It was stupid because it was a fairly decent fall. But my question is: How does one know the limits of what they can do if they have not attempted them? Like I wasnt sure if I kong a picnic table, but I thought I had a good chance and successfuly did it. Thankyou.

Good words, Pat. I do have a problem with your last suggestion, however.


I would argue that fully committing to all maneuvers is completely necessary for a successful performance. If you're not sure you can do something, don't do it. Plain and simple. Another way to say that would be if you're not ready to fully commit to doing something, don't do it. I find myself in a lot stickier situations (closer to injury) when I don't fully commit to a maneuver. It really upsets me when I make the mental mistake of hesitating at the last second or during the movement -- not only because it implies that I'm not fully aware of what I'm doing, but also because it implies that I'm not completely in control of what I'm doing. The reason slow, steady progression is so necessary in parkour is so you can really know and define your limits, and then ever so slowly push past them and move on to the next level.

If you're not sure where your limits are, I would urge you to take a step back and really examine your movement. Go back to smaller obstacles for a while and get 100% comfortable with the basic techniques and then slowly push yourself further. The one sure way to mentally define your limits to yourself is to have a slow, steady progression. This way you'll approach your limits slowly enough that you'll be able to push past them with relative comfort, confidence in your movement and a full commitment to those movements.

That's exactly what I need to do. All to often I think that many new practioners of parkour feel if they complete a move a couple times that they should go bigger. (I know I've had that feeling as well). But yeah, I need to make sure I can do something 100% and then slowly progess. thanks.

I understand what you're saying, and even though we may have different ways of thinking about it and putting it into words, I think we share very similar viewpoints. I am by no means suggesting that one should fully commit to doing something just because a full commitment is necessary in parkour. I'm sorry if it came out this way. I wouldn't want someone to fully commit to doing something that they weren't 100% sure they could do. I am suggesting that a full commitment is necessary in parkour assuming the 100% confidence is present as well. If the confidence factor isn't there, you just plain shouldn't do the maneuver.

I know where y'all are coming from, and I agree :-).

Just think actions through completely. Sit back, visualize it in your mind (This does work, try it out). Then be ready for the worst and hope for the best.

One Major flaw I see in this is that you can push your self and hope for the best but still Die.
Its bad advice.  Find a way to drill it at ground or near ground level mark out the distance in the grass and etc.  But don't just think and zen out then do it and hope you make it.

 Like I said before AND as stated by David Belle.  You don't mesaure the jump as much as feel the jump.  You just look at it and know you can do it.  Its getting yourself to do it some times thats hard.

 

You have to trust completely in your own abilities.  And you progressed from konging walls to konging picnic table.  You have to use that same mentality when doing wall runs start on the lower walls and find more walls that are in between the 15 foot wall and the 10 foot wall and keep progressing.  Remember you have to have the mind set and the physical practice to accomplish tasks in parkour and freerunning.