Parkour: Speed Vault and Lazy Vault, Two Ways to Go Sideways

Students learn two sideways vaults: the speed vault, with one hand down and the body parallel to the obstacle, and the lazy vault, entered at an angle with a hand switch. Then they compare which one fits each approach.

How to play

1. Review the safety vault and demo both new vaults in slow motion (4 min).
2. Speed vault over the bench: short run, one hand on the bench, legs together and parallel, land running (7 min).
3. Lazy vault over the bench: diagonal approach, outside leg first and switch hands behind your body (7 min).
4. Move to the low plinth with whichever vault is cleaner, filming one attempt from the side (7 min).
5. Pair discussion with the video: which vault fits a straight approach and which an angled one (5 min).

Rules

• Only try the plinth if the vault is clean on the bench.
• Mat on the landing and no one waiting on the far side.
• Approach run of 3 to 5 steps max.
• Film on the school tablet and delete the clips at the end.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited lower-body mobility: practice a seated swivel vault and analyze classmates' videos.
• Wrist injury: use forearm support on a folded mat on the bench or serve as analyst.
• Blind or low-vision students: mark the bench with high-contrast tape and approach at a walk with verbal cues.

Learning goals

• Perform two basic sideways vaults.
• Pick the technique based on the approach angle.
• Analyze your own execution on video.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 4
• plinths: 2
• mats: 8
• tablet: 1

Teacher tip

Outside, a solid low concrete ledge works if the edges aren't sharp. The usual lazy vault mistake is not switching hands: try it seated on the bench first.

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