To vault a fence, you primarily focus on efficiently moving over the obstacle using a combination of approach, hand placement, and body momentum. While many techniques exist, a fundamental principle, as emphasized in various tutorials for techniques like the gate vault, is that your initial step involves locating a suitable fence or wall.
Mastering the Fence Vault: A Step-by-Step Guide
Vaulting a fence is a core skill in disciplines like parkour, allowing you to fluidly clear obstacles. It requires coordination, strength, and spatial awareness.
Preparing for Your Vault
Before attempting any vault, safety and assessment are paramount.
Selecting Your Obstacle
- As a crucial first step highlighted in many introductory tutorials on techniques such as the gate vault, you'll need to identify a suitable fence or wall for practice.
- Choose a stable fence that is free from sharp edges, splinters, loose components, or wobbly sections.
- Begin with lower obstacles to build confidence and refine your technique before moving to higher fences.
- Ensure the landing area on the other side is clear of hazards and level.
Executing a Basic Fence Vault (Two-Handed Vault)
The two-handed vault is an excellent starting point for beginners, focusing on control and stability.
- Approach: Begin with a controlled run towards the fence. Your speed should be sufficient to generate momentum but not so fast that you lose control.
- Hand Placement: As you get close, place both hands firmly on the top of the fence. Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, palms down, with fingers gripping the top.
- Lift and Swing: Push off the ground with your lead foot, simultaneously driving down with your arms on the fence to lift your body. As your body rises, swing your legs together over the fence. Keep your core engaged to maintain a compact, controlled shape.
- Clearance: Ensure your hips and legs fully clear the obstacle. Keep your head up, looking in the direction you are going.
- Landing: Land softly on the balls of your feet, bending your knees deeply to absorb the impact. Maintain your balance, ready to either continue moving or come to a controlled stop.
For a visual guide and further tips on vaulting techniques, consider exploring reputable parkour resources like Parkour Generations.
Popular Vault Types
While the basic two-handed vault is fundamental, understanding other variations can broaden your approach to obstacles.
| Vault Type | Description | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Two-Handed Vault | A foundational technique where both hands are placed securely on the obstacle, providing maximum stability and control. Ideal for learning the basic mechanics of clearing a fence. | Emphasizes stability and control. |
| Speed Vault | A dynamic vault where one hand quickly pushes off the obstacle as the body turns sideways, maintaining forward momentum. Often used to seamlessly transition over obstacles without breaking stride. | Maintains momentum, good for fluid movement. |
| Lazy Vault | Characterized by placing one hand on the obstacle while one leg swings over, followed by the other. It's a more relaxed and less demanding vault, suitable for lower fences or when conserving energy. | Less demanding, suitable for lower obstacles. |
| Gate Vault | This term, often used in tutorials, describes a method of clearing an obstacle (like a gate or fence) by placing hands, pushing off, and typically rotating or swinging the body to land efficiently on the other side. | Focuses on efficient obstacle clearance. |
| Dash Vault | A very dynamic vault where the practitioner "dashes" over the obstacle, often without placing hands, using speed and a high knee drive to clear it. Requires significant agility and practice. | High agility and speed, minimal hand contact. |
Safety and Practice Tips
- Inspect the Obstacle: Always double-check the stability and condition of any fence or wall before attempting to vault it.
- Appropriate Footwear: Wear shoes with good grip and support to prevent slips and ensure a solid push-off and landing.
- Warm Up: Prepare your body with light cardio and dynamic stretches before practicing vaults to prevent injury.
- Start Low: Begin with very low and safe obstacles, gradually increasing the height as your confidence and skill improve.
- Practice Landing: Develop a soft and controlled landing technique separately. Land on the balls of your feet, bending your knees to absorb impact, similar to a cat's landing.
- Professional Guidance: Consider training with an experienced parkour or movement coach to learn proper form and reduce the risk of injury.
Consistent practice, focusing on form and safety, will enhance your ability to vault fences efficiently and safely.
