Topic: Wall Run: 100% Technique Possible?

[Nick Fernandez]

Last week I was messing around with one of my other friends at school when we tried getting up and over the side of some bleachers. Now, I was wearing my Vans and the bleachers were metal. I tried planting one foot and I pretty much ended in a position where I was hugging the wall. After a couple times, it got me wondering: Is this even possible?

I think most of us know that in a vertical wallrun, the movement translates horizontal momentum into vertical, much like blocking, but with an actual object to pivot off of. But is it possible to do this without any traction whatsoever? I'm talking about running up a glass/marble wall with socks.

It's just to let me know how much a vertical wallrun requires grip and how much requires technique and skill.

[steve dahlin]

70% Speed
25% Skill
5% Traction (if the range is between normal rubber shoes and 510s)
Shoes can make about a 6" difference according to my experiences

Traction also helps with getting speed, and contributes towards 'inertia' which is a critical element in wall runs.

[Skinny]

By traction you mean friction.  Friction is defined by the coefficient of friction (μ) times the normal force (n).  The coefficient of friction is how sticky means how sticky is one object to another.  For example rubber to metal will have a lower μ whereas rubber to rubber will have a higher μ.  This is a constant value dependent on two or more materials. 

The normal force is a force perpendicular to the surface of contact.  It is the force that opposes gravity pushing down on us when we are standing still on the ground.  For a wall run, it is pointing straight out of the wall. 

So to maximize the frictional force in a wall run, you have two choices.  Increase your μ by changing the materials or getting your foot as close as possible to the normal direction. 

In every wall run, there is some force going in the x direction and y direction.  The direction the normal force is going is the x direction.  Where you put your foot on the wall will vary how much force is going in both directions.  Too low and you don't get much normal force and your foot slides down the wall (getting you into a position of hugging the wall).  Too high and you put too much into the normal direction and you get pushed back.  You need to find the optimal foot placement to maximize your height.  This will vary on what Grip was saying.  How fast are you traveling toward the wall? What is the wall made of? What are your shoes made of? How high do you place your foot? Is it wet out?  All these things need to be considered to get the highest height. 

So to answer your question "Is it possible to do without any traction whatsoever?".  The answer is maybe.  It depends on how  high the wall is and the above considerations.  Every time two surfaces come in contact with each other, there will be friction.  Some surfaces will have more grip, some will less, but there will always be some.  With a small μ you need to make a larger n to get the same frictional force which means you have a small "sweet spot" for your foot to land on the wall.  Opposite is true too.  With a larger μ, n can be smaller and still attain the same frictional force, getting you up the wall. 

Hope I cleared some stuff up for you.  Any other questions or clarifications, feel free to ask.

And Grip, why is inertia a critical element in wallruns? Inertia is simply a property of matter that says how much force is needed for something to speed up or slow down. 

[Nick Fernandez]

This will vary on what Grip was saying.  How fast are you traveling toward the wall? What is the wall made of? What are your shoes made of? How high do you place your foot? Is it wet out?  All these things need to be considered to get the highest height. 

So to answer your question "Is it possible to do without any traction whatsoever?".  The answer is maybe.  It depends on how  high the wall is and the above considerations.   

 

Let's say, an average speed, not sprinting, but a paced jog. You pointed out that I meant friction, you're right. But you have to take in consideration that

I'm talking about running up a glass/marble wall with socks.

There will be very, very little friction in my example. When I posted the topic, I wasn't asking how to get the highest height, but if it's even possible to perform under these circumstances. As a bonus, let's make the wall wet too. The wall will estimate to about 8-10 feet.

Running up a dreaded slick, flat, and soaked wall while wearing nothing on your feet but socks, is it even physically possible to gain any more height than the initial leap to plant your foot onto the surface? Using perfect technique (which is probably unrealistic), using optimal foot placement, and normal speed and force, could I use the little frictional force available and go upwards, let alone reach the top of the wall?

[Skinny]

I'll say yes.  But it would have to be the most exact, precise, laser guided foot placement that would make it near impossible, but not completely impossible, to preform. 

You'd be better off finding a different way around the wall 

[steve dahlin]

With traction, a wall run is like jumping up onto a ledge, then jumping again.
without traction, a wall run is like jumping onto air, then jumping again.

It doesn't matter how good your technique is, you aren't getting any extra height from jumping off of air.

[Kendy]

That was a really funny mental image...

[Nick Fernandez]

Excuse me..

[Kendy]

and that's exactly what I thought of after

[steve dahlin]

I thought of that while posting it too, but that's a video game

[Kendy]

Just cause it's in a video game doesnt mean it's not real... Like flips. If I do a standing tuck, it's gonna be what it is, but if I add one back handspring before it, it's gonna be a lot higher. If I add two or more handsprings, that tuck is going to turn into a layout or dub back.

[steve dahlin]

Wall running with no traction is not possible.

[Macgyver 0.]

Not only would you not gain height You would probably smack right into the wall.

[Nick Fernandez]

Not only would you not gain height You would probably smack right into the wall.

Exactly what I thought at the beginning.

I'll say yes.  But it would have to be the most exact, precise, laser guided foot placement that would make it near impossible, but not completely impossible, to perform. 

You'd be better off finding a different way around the wall 

Eh, I'll get a ladder  . So it's either exact foot placement or a face full of wall. Well, better grow a moustache and get some white gloves, red hat, and overalls. I guess that's my best bet.

Or I could run around the wall.

[Jacob Carter]

Or you could get a better pair of shoes than vans.

[Ryan Sannar]

Here's the solution boys. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0J1wsfRw8

[Brendan McEntee]

Here's the solution boys. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0J1wsfRw8

now i need to try this...

[Nick Fernandez]

I have Nike Darts .

Are those actual stunts? Reminds me of that guy who did pull ups on a crane 500+ feet in the air.

[Sean Au]

70% Speed
25% Skill
5% Traction (if the range is between normal rubber shoes and 510s)
Shoes can make about a 6" difference according to my experiences

Traction also helps with getting speed, and contributes towards 'inertia' which is a critical element in wall runs.

Better off listening to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeCft3Gr8ds

[steve dahlin]

Better off listening to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeCft3Gr8ds

Thats exactly what i was thinking of when posting that lol