Topic: The Wrong Idea

[max eisenberg]

it sounds like they just felt like being dick heads.

Sorry if it sounded that way in my post, but I never intended that.  They were never nasty or truly disrespectful to us.  They had some ignorant and negative views on things, but they were never as you say, "dickheads."  They were interested enough in what we were doing to stop them from what they were doing and come with us in the first place.  I don't pretend to know who they are or what background they come from.  There could be a million reasons why they are the way they are.  I just don't feel this is as important as the fact that it doesn't have to be this way for them.  They are so close to finding parkour.  They are knocking on its door.  Sure tricking around town and running from cops isn't parkour.  But if you can get a few lightbulbs to go off in their heads, they could not only become really talented freerunners, but maybe have a better outlook on life as well.   

gotcha, my b. i just know a lot of youngsters who really are just dickheads and dont want to believe anything you tell them.

parents need to give a crap about their kids, or else this whole world is going to hell in a hand basket.

[David M.]

I am really angry that this happens, (Probably more than we know) because it gives a bad reputation to parkour and free running as well as to youth. I myself am 14 but I do use common sense and safety as well as conditioning so I do not get hurt. Most teens however, unfortunately, are like these kids you are talking about.

[Jeff]

Hi everyone, I have a couple suggestions.

I would start by trying not to look at these kids like dickheads, problems to be solved, or anything deserving derision. It's just a bad mental state to be in, and doesn't in itself help anyone.

Sounds like they really get off on challenges and doing impressive moves. If they've never heard of parkour, they probably don't know of all the challenges and cool stuff you can do in the practice of parkour, and they're just left with tricks. Show them. That 5' precision is a great example. $10 says they came out the next day to work on it. Find more stuff like that - kongs to precisions onto a bench or something, teach them a dash. People like that often love challenges more than the rest of them, and there's plenty of those in basic, techinique-oriented parkour.

Definitely don't bother lecturing. The last thing a 14 y/o boy will respond positively to is a lecture by, well, anyone, much less an older dude they don't know. If it gets too frustrating watching, go off by yourself and let them be. It's hard to motivate yourself to train if you're frustrated while training.

If they're 14 and can already do every imaginable trick, they might make world-class traceurs someday. Bring them into the fold!

[Muse_of_Fire]

Right on!

[max eisenberg]

If they're 14 and can already do every imaginable trick, they might make world-class traceurs someday. Bring them into the fold!

conversely they might get so highly skilled they get bored.

happens all the time, unfortunately. kids like these generally learn "tricks" to show their friends and get props.

its usually not an inner battle to be better than they were the next day, that only comes with maturity and a hunger for learning.

[Adam "Echo" C]

 

I am really angry that this happens, (Probably more than we know) because it gives a bad reputation to parkour and free running as well as to youth. I myself am 14 but I do use common sense and safety as well as conditioning so I do not get hurt. Most teens however, unfortunately, are like these kids you are talking about.

I completely agree with Shark here. I'm fifteen, but I don't use my age as an excuse to be immature. If I ever have to face the authorities, or an adult or property owner that does not want me practicing on their property, I will make it my first priority to respond as maturely as possible and put a good face on parkour, and the teens of the modern world. Teens are quickly being stereotyped because the "model" teen, which is often described as an immature, rebellious, arrogant, and ignorant human being. This is unfair to respectable teens who are concurrent with their adult authorities. Whether these authorities be parents, teachers, or cops, we need to set a good example and erase the assumptions made whenever a group of "rowdy teenagers" walk onto the scene.

[Todd1]

Good post Jeff, thank you.

I think you're right, they most likely did go back out and try some stuff we did on Sunday.  Sure they could do all the flips, but they know they have room to improve.  They seemed really interested to come back out next Sunday.  So maybe it's as simple as just spending more time with them.  It was frustrating to hear some of the ideas they had, but never frustrating training with them.  I think my friend and I have just as much to learn from them as they have to learn from us.