I frequently get asked "What's the best way to go about building a Parkour / Freerunning Team?". I figured lots of people are interested in this, so I might as well post the answer in an article.

Most recently I was asked by a New York Traceur who is now in school in California. While answering him, I thought it best to put this up for everyone to see and also to add other people form the community's input.

Id' say that the most important part is nothing "technical" about building a team .. but rather everyone training and progressing together. Set goals for the group, like every member has to be able to do APK warmup in less than 15 minutes within 30 days. Measure everyone's progress both separately and together, and just train and hang together as much as you can, those are the things that REALLY build a team. Get some video footage .. decide to do a "before and After" video that you can look back and laugh at. It will help you all stay focused on training and progression.

Now, for some of the other pople who have asked the same question ...

1. Don't go "looking for members" ... the best teams are already friends and already practice together.

2. Don't spend countless hours making a logo and website before you've learned to land and roll.

3. Don't post on multiple forums lamenting that one of your team members has left the group. People will have different motivation levels and golas, and if someone doesn't want to be part of your group, pointing them out on the internet won't help, it will only create further rifts.

4. Don't try to build an "internet based" team ... unless you are playing some weird Parkour verison of Fantsay Football, then team members should be people who can meet up and practice regularly irl.

5. Name your team whatever you want. Asking for suggestions on what to name your team is like asking for suggestions on what to name your pet. It should be a name that means something to you and the group, not random people on the internet. See # 2.

Display 6 of 6 comments