Parkour Risk/Benefit Analysis

When confronted with the prospect of taking a parkour class or bringing parkour movement to a classroom, it can be easy to focus entirely on the risks and dangers. Our approach to movement education is to facilitate scalable, calculated risks so that students can engage with both physical and mental challenges. We believe that the benefits of parkour far outweigh the risks. To help illustrate this point, here are the risks, benefits, and management systems we use with three activities in a typical parkour class.

Slide down umpire rock

RISK

  1. Falling down/off

  2. Children crashing, bumping, falling into one another

  3. Children working at height

BENEFIT

  1. Increased strength + agility

  2. Unique sensory experience: vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile input

  3. Confidence and pride in accomplishment

MANAGEMENT

  1. Teach and maintain clear rules: slide down one at a time, clear pathway before next child can go

  2. Teach and communicate safety rules for climbing

  3. Children must consistently demonstrate their understanding of safety rules or they may not participate

Poison finger

RISK

  1. Child only wants to work with certain other children/friends

  2. Hurt hands, wrists, or fingers

  3. Child frustrated by repeated losses

BENEFIT

  1. An opportunity to work with a new friend

  2. How to use movement strategically

  3. Increased coordination and unique sensory input

MANAGEMENT

  1. Make short rounds w/frequent rotations so everyone has a chance to work w/everyone

  2. Teach how to work safely with a friend – challenge, don’t overpower

  3. Teach that getting better at something can sometimes mean failing at first. How can we have fun even when we don’t win?

Balancing on a fence

RISK

  1. Falling down/off

  2. Wobbly fence/splinters/bees

  3. Boring activity compared to more “exciting” parkour skills

BENEFIT

  1. Increased balancing skill, strength in feet and ankles

  2. How to work safely with objects that vary in size and shape

  3. How to move slowly with purpose, attention, and intention

MANAGEMENT

  1. Teach proper technique + how to jump down safely when losing balance

  2. Teach how to inspect equipment before usage; how to use your awareness to navigate the environment safely.

  3. Increase challenge + fun by making a game or working with a partner