Parkour Landing: Ways To Land A Jump Safely
Parkour is exciting but yet combines strength, agility, and precision to navigate obstacles with fluid motion. However, parkour landing safely after a jump is one of the most critical aspects of parkour.
Proper parkour landing techniques are essential for minimizing the risk of injury and maintaining control during movements. Let’s explore the key aspects of parkour landing, including the types, techniques, and tips to ensure every jump ends safely!
Types of Parkour Landings
In parkour, the way you land is just as important as the way you jump. A safe and effective landing ensures that you can continue your movements smoothly and reduces the risk of injury.
There are several types of parkour landings, each designed for different situations, heights, and surfaces. Here's a breakdown of the most common types:
1. Safety Tap
This is commonly used for shorter drops. As you land, you tap the ground lightly with one foot to help absorb the shock and maintain balance. It's a quick, gentle landing that helps you stay in control.
2. Breakfall (Roll)
For higher drops or bigger impacts, the breakfall, or roll, is essential. Instead of landing directly, you roll your body to spread the impact across your back and shoulders.
This technique reduces the force on your joints and allows for a smooth transition to the next movement.
3. Precision Landing
This is used for controlled landings on a small or narrow surface. You aim to land with both feet firmly planted, often in a squat position to help with balance.
4. Crane Landing
Similar to a precision landing but with your knees slightly bent and feet together, this technique helps absorb the shock of landing while keeping your posture stable and ready for the next move.
5. Cat Landing
This technique is used when landing from a height, and it involves keeping your body slightly forward, almost as if you're reaching to touch the ground. It helps reduce the impact on your knees and spine by using your arms and body to absorb the force.
Techniques for Parkour Landing
Parkour and freerunning are high-impact sports, especially when training on hard surfaces like concrete. As you begin learning parkour, focusing on your landings is crucial to staying injury-free and building a solid foundation for more advanced moves.
Proper form in landings helps absorb the impact efficiently, protecting your joints and muscles over time. Let’s break down the key techniques for parkour landings:
1. Preparing for the Landing
Before you even jump, it's essential to mentally and physically prepare for the landing. Make sure you're aware of the surface you're landing on and how high or far you'll be falling.
Focus on keeping your body loose and ready to absorb the impact. Keep your knees slightly bent and your arms slightly out for balance. A good mental and physical preparation ensures a smoother, safer landing when the moment comes.
2. Sticking a Standard Landing
A standard landing is when you land with both feet, knees bent, and your body in control. To do this, aim to land on the balls of your feet, allowing your calves and ankles to absorb the initial impact.
Engage your muscles—especially your quads, glutes, and core—to control the landing and avoid locking your knees. The goal is to land softly and silently, reducing the impact on your joints and staying stable.
3. Landing with Hand Assistance
Sometimes, when landing from a higher drop or a difficult position, it’s helpful to use your hands for support. As you land, push your palms against the ground to help stabilize your body and absorb some of the shock.
This is especially useful when landing at an awkward angle or when you need to maintain balance. Just be sure to use your palms, not your fingertips, to avoid putting too much pressure on your joints.
4. Landing into a Roll
For high or powerful drops, the parkour roll is key to spreading out the impact. Instead of landing directly on your feet, you'll use the roll to redirect the force forward.
After landing, immediately tuck your body and roll over one shoulder. This technique helps absorb the shock over your back and shoulders, reducing strain on your legs and joints. It also keeps your momentum flowing smoothly, readying you for the next move.
Tips for Safe Parkour Landings
A proper landing technique not only helps prevent injuries but also ensures that you maintain control and flow throughout your movements. Here are some essential tips to help you land safely and efficiently during your parkour training:
1. Land on the Balls of Your Feet
Always aim to land on the balls of your feet, not your heels. This helps to absorb the shock of landing using your calves and ankles, reducing the impact on your joints. Landing on your heels can create a jarring impact, increasing the risk of injury.
2. Land Quietly
Try to land as silently as possible. A quiet landing indicates that the force from the jump is being dissipated correctly throughout your body.
While a completely soundless landing might be difficult, avoid a loud thump, as it suggests that too much force is being absorbed through your joints, which could lead to long-term damage.
3. Know Your Limits
Don’t attempt drops or jumps that are beyond your skill level. Many beginners make the mistake of trying jumps that are too high or too far, risking injury to their joints and muscles. Progress gradually and safely, building up your strength and control over time.
4. Practice Breakfalls
Falls are inevitable in parkour, so it's important to practice breakfalls, such as the parkour roll or other techniques that help you absorb impact safely.
These techniques prepare you for situations where you may fall involuntarily, allowing you to protect your body and reduce the risk of injury.
Master Your Parkour Landings Today!
Mastering safe parkour landing techniques is essential for every traceur, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner. Remember, the essence of parkour lies in moving efficiently and safely, so land smart and keep pushing your limits!
Are you ready to take your parkour skills to the next level? At Rockstar Academy, our Parkour Program is designed to help you master everything from basic parkour tricks to advanced moves, with personalized coaching that will push you to new heights.
For those who want to level up their skills faster, we offer Private Instruction, where students get one-on-one training tailored to their abilities and goals. Private lessons encourage students to take greater responsibility for their learning, helping them stay focused, take each lesson seriously, and fully master the techniques.
If you're looking to perfect your flips or learn how to land like a pro, our expert instructors are here to guide you every step of the way. Plus, our students get the chance to showcase their skills in exciting parkour competitions, like the RockOlympics, where you can compete against other talented athletes.
As part of our Sports & Performing Arts Academy, we provide a safe and motivating environment to push your limits while mastering the art of parkour. The best part? You can experience all of this with a free trial of our Parkour Program. Sign up today and start your journey to becoming a parkour pro!
FAQ
How to land in parkour?
Land on the balls of your feet, bend your knees, and engage your muscles to absorb the impact while keeping your body balanced.
How to roll when landing?
After landing, tuck your body and roll over one shoulder, spreading the impact across your back and shoulders to reduce stress on your joints.
