MORE THAN MOVEMENT

Parkour is a movement discipline focused on learning how to move through an environment efficiently, safely and creatively. Athletes develop skills such as running, jumping, landing, balancing, vaulting, climbing and moving over or around obstacles. At Vertex Movement, parkour is taught progressively rather than simply encouraging athletes to attempt big jumps or advanced tricks. The focus is on developing strong movement foundations, control, confidence and good decision-making as an athlete progresses.

Vertex Movement structures youth training through our U10, U13 and U17 groups. The appropriate starting group is primarily based on age starting from 7 years, but coaching level, maturity and current ability may also be considered when necessary. If you are unsure where your child should start, you can still complete the normal registration/trial form and we can help determine the most appropriate placement.

Age determines the main class group, but athletes within the same age group will not necessarily be given exactly the same challenge. Parkour works particularly well with progressive coaching because the same obstacle or movement can often be adapted for different ability levels. A beginner may work on the basic movement pattern while a more experienced athlete works on a more demanding variation.

Comfortable sports clothing that allows unrestricted movement is best. Athletes should be able to run, squat, jump and climb comfortably. Good-fitting sports shoes with reasonable grip are recommended. Very loose clothing, restrictive clothing, jewelry or anything likely to catch on equipment should generally be avoided. Bringing water is also recommended.

Once-per-week training is a good option for athletes who want consistent recreational training or are beginning their parkour journey. Training twice per week provides more practice time, greater exposure to different skills and usually allows athletes to develop more consistently. The best option depends on the athlete's goals, other activities and family schedule. Current membership options are shown on the Classes page.

Parkour can be practiced recreationally or competitively. Many athletes simply enjoy learning skills, overcoming challenges and becoming better movers. Athletes who are interested in competition may also have opportunities to take part in parkour events and disciplines such as Speed, Skill, Flow or Style. Competition is an additional pathway rather than the only purpose of training.

No. Flips are only one small part of the wider movement world and are not what defines parkour. A large portion of training involves fundamental skills such as jumping, landing, balancing, vaulting, climbing, swinging and moving confidently through obstacles. Advanced skills are built on top of these foundations. We would much rather see an athlete perform a basic movement with control and understanding than attempt an advanced skill before they are ready.

There is no single timeline because athletes progress at different rates. Age, training frequency, confidence, physical development, consistency and previous movement experience can all make a difference. Parkour contains hundreds of possible skills and variations, so progression is better viewed as an ongoing process rather than reaching one point where an athlete has 'finished' learning. Consistent training and strong fundamentals are more important than rushing toward advanced movements.