Parkour speak

Parkour, the French-based art of urban movement, is often linked with something called "free running," another form of outdoor movement.

Both emerged from Yamakasi, a troupe founded by David Belle and Sebastien Foucan that splintered after being highlighted in a 2001 feature film. Belle furthered parkour while Foucan pursued free running, an offshoot focused on moving freely rather than moving efficiently, as parkour is.

Here are some of the moves associated with parkour, from AmericanParkour.com:

Demi tour — A "half turn" (English term: turn vault); when overcoming a wall or rail, but continuing to grasp it as you pass over it so you can drop with less momentum than a regular vault.

Franchissement — "Breakthrough" (English: underbar); jumping through a small space with the aid of your hands to swing your body through.

Lâche — To swing from one object to another, such as from a high tree branch to a lower one.

Passé muraille — A "wall pass," or hop, overcoming a taller obstacle with a tap of your foot on the way up; also called a "pop vault."

Roulade — The "roll" done after a landing to minimize impact on the joints; or after jumping through, say, a railing where it's not possible to land back on your feet; also done to cross a high table.

Saut de chat — "Cat jump" (English: monkey vault or Kong vault); overcoming an obstacle by diving forward and simultaneously placing both hands, shoulder width apart, on the object and letting your momentum carry you forward; as you do so, you tuck your knees and let both feet pass over the object together.

Saut de precision — "Precision jump"; jumping from one small point to another, such as two railings, and landing in a controlled and balanced manner.

Marc Ramirez, Seattle Times staff reporter