Parkour Safety Vault and Lazy Vault over a Bench
Students learn two basic ways to clear a low obstacle in parkour: the safety vault, with a hand and a foot on the bench, and the lazy vault, approaching from the side and placing the hands one after the other. Students work on agility, coordination, and choosing the right technique.
How to play
- Set up 5 gym benches with a mat on each side; groups of 5 per bench, lined up 10 feet back, going once the previous student is done (2 min).
- Safety vault: walk in, place the hand and foot of the same side on the bench, bring the other leg through the gap, and land on both feet (5 min).
- Lazy vault: approach parallel to the bench, place the near hand, swing both legs over together, and place the other hand as you come off (5 min).
- Easy jog: repeat both vaults with a three-step approach, aiming for no pause before the bench (4 min).
- Choice circuit: run through all 5 benches, choosing a vault for each one, and the group discusses which looked smoothest (4 min).
Rules
- Always put your hands on the bench; never jump over without support.
- Check the bench before every round to make sure it does not move.
- Only one person crosses a bench at a time.
- Land on the mat with both feet and exit forward.
Variations
Easier
Walk through, with both hands on the bench and a brief sit on top.
Standard
Safety vault and lazy vault with an easy jog.
Harder
Add the speed vault (one hand, legs together, from the side) or link two benches back to back.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student crosses by sitting and swinging the legs over, or manages the start for their group.
- Autism: preview the circuit order with a picture sheet and keep the same line all lesson.
- Fitness level: students who struggle walk the vaults; confident students increase their speed.
Learning goals
- Clear a low obstacle using two parkour vaults.
- Choose the best vault for each approach.
- Move smoothly and with control without stopping.
Equipment for a class of 25
- gym benches: 5
- mats: 10
Teacher tip
The common mistake is jumping without placing the hands; remind students that in parkour support means safety. Use stable benches and never obstacles higher than the hips.
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