The cat jump is a very basic parkour running technique where you dive onto an obstacle, place your hands, and follow through with tucked legs. Then, you push off with your hands to bring your body back into a vertical position.
Important: The legs never touch the obstacle when performing a cat jump.
Find more parkour and free running instructions here.
Description: Cat Jump – Parkour
- Run towards the obstacle and jump off. It doesn’t matter which leg you jump from, though jumping from one leg is faster than from both legs.
- Place your hands on the obstacle, fingers pointing forward.
- If you didn’t jump from both legs together, bring your legs together during the first half of the cat jump.
- Straighten your arms, push your shoulders down, bend your knees, move your heels toward your butt, and engage your abs to create enough space for your legs to pass.
- Release your hands from the obstacle and kick out your feet.
- Use your arms and legs to land as stable and vertical as possible.
Note: It is not always necessary to kick out the feet in the second half of the cat jump.
Trainer Advice: Cat Jump – Parkour
- Warm up your wrists and shoulders before attempting cat jumps.
- Before trying the full cat jump, practice diving onto an obstacle, placing your hands, and then your legs without following through with tucked legs.
- (Stand up on the obstacle without tucking legs — this exercise helps you get used to the first half of the technique.)
- This prevents mistakes like going too fast and hitting the obstacle with your feet, which could lead to serious injury.
- Train your abs, forearms, and shoulders regularly to improve control and strength.
Videos: Cat Jump – Parkour
- Cat Jump – Low Landing
- Cat Jump – Long Diving Phase
