Fear in Parkour - A Practical Guide
Sunday, 27 January 2008
 

APK Member Travis Noble submitted this great article. 

Fear is the most often encountered mental obstacle in parkour. Fear can come from many sources and take many forms, but I’ve found the most common source of the most intense fear and anxiety to be attempting new, big, or for whatever reason scary movements....

 

There are two techniques I find most useful when in these situations, one mental and one physical.

The mental technique is visualization. Visualization, also termed mental imagery or mental rehearsal, harnesses the power of the mind-body connection. When you visualize yourself performing the desired technique well, and it is important that you actually “see” this in your mind as opposed to just thinking about it, the body responds similarly to if you were actually doing the movement. You should try to imagine the desired movement in as much detail as possible. What does the surface feel like? What sounds are there? What do you see? What will it feel like when you’ve accomplished it? In addition to the physical reactions to visualization, it will also aid in feeling more comfortable during the movement, as if you have been there before, which will help prevent mid-air freak-outs and bailing.

The physical method I’ve employed to great success is breaking down the movement into smaller and more manageable chunks. Breaking down a compound movement (i.e. kong-to-precision) is fairly easy assuming you are proficient in both/all the movements that comprise it. In the above example you would try to vault to the side or just undershoot your target, then work the other half by jumping from the object you plan to vault and landing where you plan to land.

It becomes more of an art when you try to break down more “singular” movements; you may have to get creative with the obstacles and with finding ways to build up to a movement.

When you are ready to conquer a fear and take the plunge of performing a scary movement, you must commit one hundred percent. If you find your body stopping you in your tracks just before the moment of “takeoff’ or otherwise preventing you from going forward in your overcoming of the fearful movement, take that as a sign that you are not yet ready and come back another day. It’s amazing the things you will find less frightening when coming back later even if you have not been training the movement directly; becoming more comfortable controlling your own body will make everything more comfortable.

So, when you are finally ready and have practiced the broken down movement many times, take a few deep breaths, visualize, and commit. You will succeed.

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1. 01-28-2008 07:49

This article is something I've been looking for. Advice on fear. Visualization and mental imagery is very helpful.

2. 01-28-2008 20:11

If you let fear beat you before you even started. Then you failed not because you weren't strong enough, fast enough, or had enough coordination, but you failed before you even tried. It is difficult to look fear in the eye but eventually you realize that you are better than you are.

3. 01-29-2008 13:54

:p ill try that. thanks

4. 02-08-2008 23:16

Fear is a good thing because it keeps us in check by reminding us of danger. But if you are capeable then fear only inhibits you. Understanding your capabilities is the most effective way to dispell fear. This can only be accomplished through training.

5. 01-14-2009 18:33

i need to try this because im trying to learn a backflip and im only 12. :sigh

6. 01-14-2009 18:34

im turning 13 in two weeks!! :grin :) :zzz

7. 04-20-2009 04:49

This was a very good and helpful guide thank you :)

8. 05-15-2009 12:07

I am thirteen and I'm trying to do a wallflip as my first trick but I am soooooooo afraid. I need more help than this. Everytime I go up I always bail. I need to overcome this because I think when I do I will be able to overcome all of the fear of parkour.

9. 06-01-2009 14:59

this article is sooo helpful and amazing i cannot even begin to say how useful it is fantastic job

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