Lazy Vault Tutorial – How To Do A Lazy Vault
The lazy vault is one of the simplest vaults in Parkour, but can be really effective in many situations. The simplicity and low effort that the lazy vault requires, enables you to spot your landing quickly which can be really beneficial for precision landings. This vault will mostly be used on rails, but also thinner ledges such as low concrete walls.
The lazy vault works best when the obstacle is at waist height, but can be done higher as well. Now before we get on with the lazy vault tutorial, remember to always investigate the obstacle and landing for anything that may interfere with the move you are about to do. This will prevent any possible injury. Now, let’s get to it!
How to Do A Lazy Vault:
- Face the rail or ledge with about a 45 degree angle. This is of course nothing exact, but the most important thing is not to be completely parallel to the obstacle (0 degrees), and to not face it straight on (90 degrees) but somewhere in between. If you do face the object straight on, you may have a hard time getting your legs over properly, but it is still doable.
- Make sure you have a moderate running speed, and raise the knee that is closest to the rail or ledge. Which leg will depend on the direction you are approaching your obstacle.
- Raising the knee so that your hips go from vertical to horizontal, place the closest hand on the rail, and support the lazy vault as you jump over the object. Mid air, your body should be aligned with the rail. The leg you jumped with, will naturally follow your other leg.
- Now after spotting your landing, you should begin to return your feet and body towards a centered position. Take your free hand and use it to push away from the obstacle, generating a thrust that will help you move on. Now you should have had plenty of time to spot out your landing, if you’re doing a precision jump.
- The last step is to land correctly. Land with both your feet at the same time. Your toes and balls of your feet should touch the ground first, rolling your feet until your heels finally touch the ground. This is to dissipate the impact generated.
Now repeat this vault on both sides so you are equally comfortable with both feet. Starting out with Parkour, I remember preferring the left side as this would make me jump off my right foot which happens to be my dominant one. I foolishly continued to train this vault only on the left side, leaving me completely unable to execute a lazy vault on my right side. Therefore I say: Repeat it on both sides until you can do it in your sleep (don’t do that though), and you will find that you can use the lazy vault to effectively get over obstacles!
Check out the video lazy vault tutorial below.
A quick video of how to do a lazy vault, and what it should look like:
