Author Topic: A to B (Read 5333 times)

.Nico · « **on:** March 19, 2006, 01:05:48 PM »

I know that Parkour is an ever-changing word, with new people constantly coming up with new definitions for it. PAWA is trying to become the authority on the word, and we are constantly telling the less experienced guys what the difference is between parkour and freerunning. A definition i have heard which has been accepted by most is that Parkour is moving from A to B, quickly, efficiently (And silently, in my opinion). I have also heard that parkour is not defined by the movement, but by the intention. This means that a gymnast can do a kong, but not be doing parkour. This also means that a traceur can be simply running, but can still be doing parkour.
My question is whether or not you always have to go from A to B. I understand that if you move in the mindset that you are chasing or being chased, you are quicker and more fluid, but sometimes for me there is no real destination. For instance, i can go on a long run and end up right where i began. Also, i could spend 3 or 4 minutes doing rail work in a certain area, not really going anywhere, but nonetheless being quick, efficient, and silent. Is this parkour too?

Kipup · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2006, 01:14:36 PM »

What you are talking about seems to be the distinction between doing actual Parkour, and training for Parkour.
To be doing Parkour, you technically need to be escaping from something/someone or trying to reach a certain destination. While what you seem to be talking about is training Parkour-like movements. In the situation you described, training - means practicing movements that could potentialy prove to be useful should you ever need to use Parkour.
Do you understand??

Other than that, your overall understanding of Parkour seems to be at a relatively high level.

- Also, a very well-written post.

.Nico · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2006, 01:25:51 PM »

Haha what happens when my understanding of parkour begins to surpass my skill level? I better stop reading and go play lol. Thanks for clearing that up kipUp, i understand now.

button · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2006, 01:28:23 PM »

A - B is a bad analogy, going from where you are to where you want to be communicates intent but doesn't define specific points.

You don't need to be chased by someone to be doing parkour, or trying to get somewhere specific. It's moving as if in an emergency situation, not moving in an emergency situation.

M2. · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2006, 01:31:19 PM »

Yeah, the only thing I would have to add is that PAWA IS the authority on the word, it was made by David Belle's friend, and therefore PAWA really does have the right to put the definition on it. Personally I feel there are other more in depth and more "accessible" descriptions, but the PAWA definition is THE Definition.

To add to Button's point, even if you WERE being chased, you might not have a set destination in mind aside from "Away", which could be in a circle. In a sense, Parkour itself is practice for the real situation, so practicing Parkour is practicing to practice

Frosti · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2006, 09:00:35 PM »

There are no specific points in parkour, A to B is what parkour is, as quickly as possible making that straight line. To be able to move between the origin and the destination without being deterred or slowed by any obstacle in between would be the best parkour run. parkour hasn't changed there have just been new forms, aka freerunning which involves the moves inbetween and trading efficiency for aesthetic quality.

Ryan Ford · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2006, 09:31:45 PM »

a to b doesnt have to be a straight line. in fact, it is extremely rare that it would be. also, if you are escaping, you dont know where B is until you get there. if the thing that is chasing you is faster, you may try to avoid it by going places it cannot and taking difficult routes that it cannot. parkour can be described as A to B, but A to B cannot be described as only a straight line.

kaos · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2006, 05:40:25 AM »

@nico: In your example you did go from a to b, its just that a=b. Nothing wrong with that.

Flippusmn · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2006, 08:10:36 AM »

Quote

Parkour itself is practice for the real situation, so practicing Parkour is practicing to practice

So basically it's like a cycle, you practice to get better and better at practicing. I love these things, make this into a famous M2 quote or something lol.

Quote from: kaos on March 20, 2006, 05:40:25 AM

@nico: In your example you did go from a to b, its just that a=b. Nothing wrong with that.

That makes sense but in this case you would be getting nowhere because you are where you started so you could say you go from A to B but B is what you want, not a place, this is all a mindset and basically ideas of what to come rather than knowing what is to come and it actually being there.
So listen to what M2 said practice to practice, only for what you think your practicing for. In this case I think there could be no definition to Parkour because it isn't something exactlytly, a person, place, thing, or idea, even though it comes close to an idea it still is what you want to do when you do it, it's not already there to do.

kaos · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2006, 08:17:42 AM »

Quote

B is what you want

I like that. B=escape, rescue, survival etc.

Skipper · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2006, 08:37:51 AM »

B is my refrigerator

klaymen · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2006, 10:19:59 AM »

haha. skipper, you get an applaude for that

Asa · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2006, 05:25:37 PM »

Parkour is about getting from A (where you are currently) to B (Skipper's Refrigerator).

For those of us in New Jersey, it's not Parkour unless it's southward.

Honestly, I think the "A to B" explanation is just a tool to help people understand the Parkour way of thinking, that people have mis-interpreted as a definitive... definition. It followed the same course as the "chase-escape" example, the intention is to display the mindset, rather than than the actual path.

Rafe · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2006, 10:42:32 AM »

Just wanted to point out that gymnast do do "Kong"(I hate that name) vaults. There called squat vaults in gymnastics and there one of the basic begginer vaults. In the 1996 olympic the complusory vault was a hec vault which is a more difficult variation of the same movement were your body can not bend through the vault. If you can find some video of it is pretty amazing to see the distance the competeriors get.

Flippusmn · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2006, 02:02:21 PM »

That is funny (skips refrigerator lol) but hopefully you know what I meant

I'm too stupid to think of how to explain it.

The Fallen · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2006, 04:02:13 AM »

Its a little known fact that when moving from A to B. You are always moving south-east

Skipper · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2006, 06:43:53 AM »

thats because i have a refrigerator in every state

Ando · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2006, 11:42:49 AM »

I dont think Skip's refrigerator is a worthy destination. When i was at his house I didnt even get anything from his fridge, all he gave me were Fritos.

I personally don't like the A to B definition, I'm more comfortable of reaching a destination. Going somewhere no one else ever been before and getting there faster than the average person, cause with Parkour, you'll find the quick routes.

The Fallen · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2006, 11:55:52 AM »

Yeah but keep in mind. With parkour. You get cheetos...

Skipper · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2006, 11:59:22 AM »

not at my house you dont!

asa, its not whats in the fridge that matters, its gettig to the fridge..

dont you know anything about parkour?

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Author Topic: A to B (Read 5333 times)

Kipup