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A Traceur uses a Precision Leap to get from one stone block to another.

Precision Techniques are techniques used in Freerunning to accurately move from one obstacle to another. Most precision techniques both start and landing on a precise spot, with limited or no extra momentum. The two most common types are precision leaps and precision jumps. Many vaults, cat leaps, and even flips can be incorporated into precision techniques.

Precision Jump[]

A precision jump, simply called a precision at times, is where a Traceur or Traceuse jumps from one stationary point to another, so that when they land they have no extra momentum that would cause them to lean, fall, or continue moving either forwards or backwards. No running or momentum other than that from the jump is used. A precision jump is used generally for moving between obstacles with a drop and or distance between them, such as getting over a small creek. They are also for landing on a surface you do not want to fall off of, such as a ledge or railing.

Phases[]

The precision jump can roughly be divided into 4 phases:

  1. Jump: In the beginning, gather momentum with your hands by moving them behind and swinging them forwards. While doing that, lean slightly forward. If you are jumping from a ledge, your toes should be gripping it. Then bend and unbend your legs, aka jump. It is also helpful to fixate your gaze on the point you want to land before starting and keep it there throughout.
  2. Flight: The air-time is used to reposition. Bring your hands backwards again (it might look like they remain stationary while your body moves for a bit). While doing that, tuck your knees to your chest and rapidly extend them forwards again with your feet pointing towards the landing point. Then pull your toes up a little. The sole of your feet should be tangential to the ledge you want to land on. (This might differ depending on whether you jump upwards or downwards and how far.) Shortly before impact, your knees should be mostly extended with a slight bend.
  3. Landing: The landing is mostly about positioning your feet correctly. You should make contact with the ball of your foot on the ledge, in the tangential position from the previous step, and then roll over the ledge onto the surface.
  4. Stop: In order to fully cancel the momentum, use a combination of arms and legs. Bend your knees to cancel the downward momentum (ideally not beyond 90 degrees but this is not always possible) and move your arms forward to delay the forward momentum of your torso (different to step 1, here it is less of a swing, more of a horizontal "punch") so that your other muscles can cancel the forward momentum as well.

Of course there is some considerable variation in how this movement is executed exactly, depending on the person, style, and context within a line, for example. However, these phases are useful for learning the movement since you can alternatingly pay attention to each one and drill it. It is also really helpful to play with small adjustments and see how this changes what happens. Also note that these are rough approximations and in the end it should be one fluid movement. When you play with the small adjustments or just practice it a lot, you will eventually develop an intuitive understanding, as with all movements.

Tip: If you are always slightly off and can't get it to work consider if you have anterior pelvic tilt, for example with this test. If you have it, try tilting your hip the other way by using some muscles in your lower abs to gain a much more consistent precision. You might also want to look into fixing it permanently.

Precision Leap[]

Similar to a precision jump, but with a running start and extra momentum behind the jump. Precision leaps are geared towards getting over an obstacle or gaining as much as distance as possible out of a running jump. Where the jump is more focused on accuracy and a soft landing, the leap is used mostly for just getting over the obstacle or distance quicker, thus there is often extra momentum left over from the technique.

Vault to Precision landing[]

Precisions techniques are frequently used with vaults, where the Traceur or Traceuse needs to focus on accuracy, while still progressing through his or her environment. One of the most useful combinations is a kong vault to precision.

Precision to Cat Leap[]

A precision leap or jump can be used to land in a cat leap. This combination is applied when landing on a vertical surface, such as a wall, ledge, fence, or tree, where the Traceur or Traceuse will rather not traverse between the two obstacles on the ground or surface below.

Precision Techniques and Freerunning[]

Generally, precision techniques are emphasized more with Freerunning due to the obvious A to B mentality behind them, but many Freerunners will use precision techniques as well. In Freerunning, many like to combine precision techniques with flips. A popular combo used in Freerunning is a precision jump followed by a front flip or side flip off the second obstacle. While in midair during a precision leap, some may include a diving front flip.

Videos[]

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