What is parkour?
Quick Answer
Parkour is a discipline of moving efficiently through an environment by running, jumping, climbing and vaulting over obstacles.
The Full Story
Parkour developed in France in the late 1980s and 1990s, pioneered by David Belle and friends in the Paris suburbs, including Lisses and Évry. Belle drew on the training of his father, Raymond Belle, who had learned obstacle-course methods in the French military. The name comes from 'parcours du combattant', the military obstacle course. Practitioners, called traceurs, focus on speed, fluidity and control rather than flashy tricks, which are more typical of the related sport freerunning. Parkour gained worldwide fame through films such as 'Yamakasi' (2001) and the opening chase of 'Casino Royale' (2006).
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The art of moving through a city like water"