As spring rolls in, many young athletes are gearing up for baseball, lacrosse, track and field, and volleyball. While these sports provide valuable skills and conditioning, parents may be wondering what additional training can help their kids stay strong, safe, and confident in their athletic pursuits.
Enter parkour—a dynamic, full-body workout that builds strength, agility, coordination, and confidence. Parkour isn’t just about flipping off walls or navigating obstacle courses; parkour is the best way to develop the athleticism needed for any sport. Keeping your child enrolled in their weekly parkour classes at Freedom in Motion Gym will enhance their abilities in other sports while helping them avoid injury and improve overall performance.
Let’s break down how parkour specifically benefits spring athletes:
1. Parkour Reduces Injury Risk & Teaches Safe Landings (Critical for Every Sport!)
One of the biggest concerns for parents of young athletes is injury prevention. Landing incorrectly from a jump in volleyball or twisting an ankle on the lacrosse field can sideline an athlete for weeks. Parkour training teaches controlled movement and injury-prevention techniques that keep athletes safer in all sports.
How parkour helps:
Teaches athletes how to fall, roll, and absorb impact safely, reducing injury risk during games.
Strengthens joints and tendons through natural bodyweight exercises, decreasing the likelihood of sprains and strains.
Improves flexibility and mobility, which reduces muscle tightness and enhances overall durability in high-impact sports.
2. Parkour Enhances Agility and Quick Reflexes (Great for Baseball & Lacrosse)
Both baseball and lacrosse require quick reflexes, rapid directional changes, and explosive movements. Whether dodging an opponent in lacrosse or making a diving catch in baseball, athletes need top-notch agility to excel.
How parkour helps:
Parkour drills like vaulting, precision jumps, and quick transitions between obstacles train explosive power and body control.
Athletes learn how to react instantly to changing environments—just like reacting to a fastball or an incoming pass.
The coordination built from practicing parkour translates directly to smoother, faster movements on the field.
3. Parkour Builds Core Strength & Balance (Essential for Track & Field and Volleyball)
Sports like track and field require strong core engagement for sprinting, jumping, and endurance. Similarly, volleyball players rely on core strength for spiking, blocking, and diving.
How parkour helps:
Parkour requires controlled movements, which heavily engage the core, improving stability and balance.
Balance drills in parkour strengthen stabilizer muscles, reducing the risk of ankle and knee injuries, which are common in volleyball and track events.
The powerful jumps and explosive movements in parkour develop leg strength, giving athletes an edge in sprints, hurdles, and high jumps.
Freedom in Motion founder Jimmy Davidson held the boys high-jump record at his school, Temecula Valley High, at 6 foot 6 inches. He attributes his record jumping height to training parkour.
4. Parkour Improves Coordination & Spatial Awareness (A Must for Every Sport!)
In baseball, athletes track fly balls and adjust their positioning in real time. In lacrosse, players need to anticipate opponents' movements and react quickly. Volleyball players must judge ball trajectory while staying light on their feet.
How parkour helps:
Athletes train to assess their surroundings and make split-second decisions—skills crucial for all field and court sports.
Jumping, landing, and rolling techniques develop body awareness, helping athletes position themselves efficiently in game situations.
Obstacle navigation teaches footwork precision, boosting reaction times and accuracy in unpredictable sports scenarios.
6. Parkour Builds Confidence & Mental Toughness (Key for Competitive Athletes)
Success in any sport isn’t just about physical ability; mental resilience plays a huge role. Athletes who are confident, adaptable, and calm under pressure perform at higher levels.
How parkour helps:
Overcoming parkour challenges builds self-confidence, reinforcing a “can-do” attitude in sports and life.
Athletes develop mental toughness by tackling difficult skills and learning how to problem-solve on the go.
The creative, independent nature of parkour fosters an adaptive mindset—helping young athletes stay composed in high-pressure moments on the field or court.
Why Parkour Should Remain a Part of Your Child’s Training
If your child is passionate about baseball, lacrosse, track and field, or volleyball, keeping them enrolled in their weekly parkour classes at Freedom in Motion Gym is one of the best ways to ensure they stay strong, safe, and ahead of the game.
Parkour offers unparalleled cross-training benefits that complement any sport by improving agility, balance, strength, coordination, and mental resilience. Instead of replacing other athletic activities, parkour works as the perfect supplement—helping young athletes maximize their potential while having fun and staying active year-round.
Ready to see the benefits in action? Keep your child in parkour this season and watch their athletic performance soar!
