How Freerunners Learnt to FLIP to Handrails

The flip precision is one of the most impressive movements in Parkour I've ever witnessed. In this video we explore how the move became possible in the first place.
This is the first of my Evolution of Parkour series and I really hope you all enjoyed this, feel free to comment what evolution you'd like to see next!
Thank you to all my Patreons, you can support me on Patreon here:
/ jimmythegiant
The Motus Projects - Resurgence
• Resurgence | Motus x R...
Special thanks to David Witchell for the research:
david_witchell
David's Parkour - • David Witchell | Bounc...
Storror Nightshift - • STORROR NIGHTSHIFT 🇬🇧
Follow me:
www.instragram.com/jimmythegiantuk
/ jimmythegiantuk
Music (Chronological)
• (Free) Kota The Friend...
• Video
• [SOLD] Happy Soul Hip ...
• Video
• Video
• Chill Guitar Pop Beat ...
• [FREE] HARD rap beat |...
• Video
/ lukrembo
• *FREE* The Kid LAROI T...
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 the use of third party material has been used in a way that is transformative and reports on an important piece of history and therefor is permitted by law.

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Hope you guys all enjoy this new series, much respect to those who share it on their Instagram story! ****Also I wanted to make a note that Daniel Ilabaca was doing some very early flip gaps in 07 also. It's my opinion that Danny is quite an exception to the "regional style" of the UK and he also was very pioneering in early flip gaps. David and I did our absolute best to try track down the origins of the flip pre was previously totally undocumented and entirely goes off our own research. It can be tricky to be exact with any "worlds firsts".**** Comment below what evolution (movement, culture or anything else) I should do next.

[@pedroamedro]

I also was doing flip pre and sticks in 07 can link you to videos :) old school as fuck

[@shaheryarjumpz4489]

a documentary on freerunning and creativity and how the line between tricking and parkour are being blurred............or maybe not XD

[@hukuminternasional]

About PK coaching, ceriticaftion. adapt PK gen, UK Parkour coaching, ApA (australian) coaching, or something.

[@YoannLeroux]

The différence between solo training and team training. I been the only french to represent my country and my style in compétitions for over 7 years I been self-motivated all my life no help from France glad Ryan Doyle and His brother where there and also been the black sheep of french parkour since 2006 for been me haha showing parkour as something fun and not on as monks. Not speaking english and traveling all over the world. Thx to Jason P and Ryan Doyle for laughting to my first jokes in english THX UK XD. Big up from Paris your videos are PK bible to us. Thx for taking so much time for PK/FR community knowledge and history of the sport they practice. Old kings of dirt from all over the world still in the game. I just quit the team I created in 2009 so going back to self motivation... again

[@PavelTailan]

Parkour competitions!

[@GLOCOgaming]

Been several years since my last Jam. Just watching this video gave me this weird nostalgia and melancholy. PK and FR continues to amaze me and it's just chilling to see how apparent the EVOLUTION is with the practitioners. Such a refreshing video. Thank you for this.

[@pokemondog]

Ikr

[@jojodpmin7009]

Ayow whut hahaha never saw you as a PK or FR guy but thats cool, know any spots in the PH?

[@UnnamedVibesTree]

The comment about the difference between the UK and Latvia/E. Europe made me think it would be super cool to see a video about all the Regional Differences in how people train and how they tend to come about.

[@maciejfotograf]

my take on it is that the architecture has a huge effect on the different training styles... Eastern europe has a lot of bar setups in their local blocks so maybe thats why they had to be creative

[@danimaster6647]

I think the difference may be disapearing more and more. In the beginning the scene wasn't as globally connected so regional differences existed. Now however these differences start to fade more and more due to globalisation

[@sethjumps]

Now let's see who gets the first flip pre to a chain lol

[@lilbondblacky]

lets not joke about this !!lol could actually happen ....

[@sethjumps]

@@lilbondblacky I don't doubt that it will if someone puts their mind to it

[@eliotepk1543]

I think i've seen one but i have no clue from who

[@patrickcarbajal2908]

Yo.....

[@LucasDimoveo]

This already happened

[@TheBioneer]

Dude this video is incredible, so many fascinating observations! Amazing work 👍🏻🤘🏻🔥🔥

[@qwertyki9367]

You still doing parkour?

[@jonlawrence3711]

I like how this guy went to doing the dude talk to saying wordy words

[@michihellmaier6878]

Parkour 2030: - Tricking is now fused with Freerunning - Side pre is now tought to beginners - Dom got a new knee (agian) - Some German kid just did a Tsukahara-Pre - Callum still does Tips - TMPST now has 12 Academys - Britian wants to join the EU again - Pasha still rolling - Jasons daughter did her first cork - Parkour is now thought in school - Jimmy has become THE Parkour historian with well over 5 Million Subs . . .

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Hahaha im deffo a fan of the last one

[@m.j.3452]

That's when he can no longer answer everyone and we feel lucky and privileged we've been here for the long run. 😊

[@piusunterberger1287]

This is a good future plan

[@JimmyTheGiant]

@@m.j.3452 imma always be replying

[@belackjeffrey]

wait who tf did tsukahara pre?

[@JakeNashPK]

What's even more crazy than Pasha, Stanislav and Oleg all coming from Latvia is that they all came from the same small town in Latvia.

[@JimmyTheGiant]

so crazy!

[@AdamPopowski]

Must be something in the water.

[@IthorBricks]

Why do Americans have literally NO knowledge of Latvia? I've had so many experiences lol 😂

[@ay-leck1369]

@@IthorBricks Where are you getting this from? None of the replies or the comment itself lead to your stereotypical generalization whatsoever.

[@IthorBricks]

@@ay-leck1369 lol as I said, I've just had a lot of experiences

[@calen_chan]

This was brilliant! You should do one on kong gainers, or sketchy hand gainers in general, I'd love to see the early history behind all of that. :)

[@Pkspark]

I would really like to have this history as a subject at school 🙌🏻

[@Jiller20]

i love how you spark new live in the parkour community through doing a format that makes parkour and the community of it more accessible to other people

[@Sedi.parkour]

“Filmed on a potato” should be a mantra

[@gabrieltyp969]

true

[@Tourzafrmdaside]

Lol

[@alfredlewarrior]

this video is sooo well documented, this flip pre to a rail also made me wonder how it became possible but I didn't thought of the link between the different cultures of movement ! You're also crediting a lot of really good athletes who are not put enough in the spotlight comparing to the influence they have on our way of moving (mathias mayer, jannis schauer, and shade)

[@belackjeffrey]

I think most people in the community are aware of the differences in the way the movement has evolved in different parts of the world, but bringing that idea into light with easily analyzable evidence through the comparison of toby and alexs' bails made the fucking video. youre doing gods work jimmy

[@Crosshill]

id never been interested in parkour videos because i had no way to contextualize what i was seeing, but i really enjoyed this take on parkour as literally inventing new ways to move our bodies. our bodies evolved, our minds evolved, and now our minds can continue evolving the bodies capacity. aint that just profound

[@TeamReality]

Got to see kong gainer and a full breakdown from Danny all the way to travis doing double and kong gainer pre’s

[@JimmyTheGiant]

That'd be so good

[@faulepaule4451]

that would be such a great video!

[@benoxfordmotion]

100% Agree, those who weren't around back then can't understand how insane seeing that move for the first time was!

[@asborn]

Theres footage of it being used in Gymnastics comps on vault timeee ago!

[@Cackafrack]

Frazer Meek - Fluidity Freerun yeah that’s completely different to doing that on grass or concrete tho

[@m.j.3452]

Always going to sleep more knowledgeable than the day before. Big up, Kieren! Thanks David!

[@WitchellTraining]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jjprempeh2508]

This is insane. The culture and technique that goes into developing these crazy feats is incredible

[@MrSwagyDan]

Bruh! Watching your vids makes me wanna get my old crew together and start training again, I haven't moved in years and miss every second of it!

[@upsalapoinofgi3452]

He is like a Parkour History Researcher. It's so fascinating to see these connections he makes

[@KrapVideo]

Glad to see how you recognize the value of our events, calling the russians in Europe that time was hell hard, most of the time they also didn't speak any english... I also can see that the english people still don't understand the joke of our brand name 😆 ! shit!

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Y'all were doing god's work!!

[@DavidNelmes]

I miss the Krap Jams!!!❤️

[@chazaboy4539]

I'm a freerunner who's only been training for about a year so I'm still a beginner, but in that time I've really developed a love for the sport and I really enjoy parkour history videos like this so keep doing them, they're really good💪🏻

[@veg.boy96]

After seeing resurgence it felt like Max Barker just to raised the bar for flip Pre's

[@dariuspk2850]

*slaps knee*

[@veg.boy96]

@@dariuspk2850 Freerunners slap shins.

[@TheFoxRobin]

Fantastic video. I have been out of the scene for years now but started in 2009. It was a lovely nostalgia watching you talk about this evolution.

[@lak3752]

really love the production value of these videos, better than a lot of people on KZbin hope your audience grows man

[@Jh9801]

You are a phenomenal story teller. Really loving this channel

[@JimmyTheGiant]

That means alot ♥️

[@DavidNelmes]

That fact at the end gives me chills thinking about it. The power the body has is crazy!

[@daltoncollis8309]

Dude, I cannot express how grateful I am to you for making these videos! Keeping the sport I love and the history I grew up with alive. These videos hold a special place in my heart.

[@landocalrizzi6921]

Im not a practitioner of the sport, but credit where credit is due those athletes have talent. And its always better insight when someone who truly cares is telling you about it. To walk London with you and hear the stories im sure you know, would be a treat. Thank you for the great videos. The London vs Parkour was an amazing video.

[@TheMotusProjects]

Incredible stuff!

[@augustehinrichs8193]

Absolutely love this style of historical parkour content. Cheers mate!

[@villafanmart]

I am not even a free runner but your videos are so captivating and interesting to watch, good job bro, defiantly a talented documentary maker

[@uzi-07]

Your videos are so fun and informational, you're literally one of the only youtubers I watch whos videos contain this much knowledge

[@FlowUrbanFlow]

Finally someone talks about Shade. He should have the clout that Pasha does

[@AntonAdelson]

Anyone knows what's up with him these days?

[@SnailHatan]

@@AntonAdelson Still makes videos

[@EdScottProductions]

great video man, that flip pre was defiantly an inspiration in my training!

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Glad to hear it!

[@aliidris657]

Definitely

[@pkwinter3run]

Taking Freerunning and Parkour aside, as a filmmaker, that was one of THE best short-form documentaries I have ever seen. Beautifully done mate. Keep making more, for the love of god lol

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Man that really means alot

[@Art_Rambo]

Very interesting content! Keep it up mate!

[@TheLondonForever00]

Jimmy your content spans a few generations here. I'm 45, disabled (not in a chair) but love your content and Storror. It's actually got me up now and doing physio and back to normal near enough. This is how Parkour reaches outside of the community. Just thought you'd want to know for your research 👍

[@adamgardiner5869]

Wow u just showed me how free running has evolved exactly like hip hop culture. Different countries develop their own flavours and always evolving. Great vid.

[@mizotter]

As a teacher of writing, I'd like to commend you on a really well-written history. I really enjoy your storytelling. Thank you!

[@experimentalviking]

Thank you Jimmy, this is exactly what the community needs right now. A little look back to see the future clearer. Big ups man, definitely inspiring me in my video creation!

[@TwoWheelsOnline]

That was an awesome video!! Never knew you could expand so much on parkour history

[@simiyun]

part of the reason I watch these is for the nostalgia. so many video parts I had forgotten about, I'm glad someone remembers them!

[@dominickbryant7094]

it would be interesting to go more in to depth an how parkour and freerunning evolved in different places like america and Russia and europe

[@Projectrun24]

I feel like Russia doesn’t get the credit it deserves. They have a no shits given mentality.

[@shathan.10]

Best KZbinr ever to make us be knowledgable about the history of Parkour and everything relevant to it. I learned many things about my sport from your channel. continue with your awesome content.

[@sebastienfoucan-official]

Jimmy Another good one for the record ;-) Great job it was interesting to watch

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Can't wait to make something on you after lockdown

[@1O1OO11O1O]

Dode! This video is so well made! This is so interesting! Your type of videos that analyze and look back at the old content is what will be a gamechanger for the Freerun as a sport.

[@theunknownboy4197]

I can believe how Parkour is evolving so fast and it soo cool to see people that you have watched for years do impossible things! ✌️

[@Mathybrouns]

Hi Jimmy, maybe a film on the complete change of parkour? In the beginning you had the Yamakasi style, rough, a lot of power but not a lot of control, then the English came, did the technical thing, the Spanish (and Portugese) added the flow bits, the Germans and East Europeans added the dance style movement and with the tricking influences we got Freerunning as it is today. It's kind of similar to this video, but you could focus on the whole progression of parkour from the 90's till now?

[@blzt3206]

Your explanations are very clear, easy to follow, and interesting. Thanks for all the hard work - it really pays off.

[@joedunn3002]

That last fact is a game changer. Amazing video keep banging em

[@JimmyTheGiant]

No doubt!

[@deanjumps7190]

Such a good video man. I knew about the majority of these events but seeing them all laid out in a time line just makes me appreciate how mad the progress of pk has been 🤯

[@spluad]

When I saw that clip of Max for the first time I was BLOWN away. Absolute game changer

[@felix4pk]

Thank you for this video, m8. I love how you look at Parkour & Freerunning as one evolving entity. Also I am so glad how someone is finally elaborting and showcasing the practical benefit of flips for "pure" Parkour. Awesome work

[@perspective2.04]

This is honestly such an underrated channel. Great structured commentary and really thorough and well rounded analysis lets get @jimmythegiant to 100k subs.

[@davidthummler1164]

I have learned so much through your last couple of videos 👌 Keep it up 🙏 So good to get to know the history of parkour 👊

[@scottphillips227]

this is an awesome, concise reflection of parkour history. ive learnt heaps, absolutely love it.

[@shadowchildren]

Your videos are amazing. I’m never going to be a parkour athlete but the athleticism and raw power showcased in this sport are amazing, and your videos have really reinforced to me how far the sport has come and probably how far it will go. Thanks for another great video!!!

[@Lysquon]

This video is beautiful, i cant imagine the amount of time spent trying to pinpoint the events that would lead to the side-pre on a rail. Great Job. Keep making this.

[@JimmyTheGiant]

David is to thank for that!

[@gavcanflip]

This was so tight, love your vids. I'd love to see a video breaking down the slow surge of off-axis tricks we're starting to see in the sport

[@BrantAxt]

At the very beginning I was like "what about Jannis and Scott?!" But, nah man, you got me covered haha Well done!

[@JimmyTheGiant]

hahah, i was paranoid I would miss anything, I probably did somewhere!

[@BrantAxt]

@@JimmyTheGiant I put together a video on the history of the standing double backflip that got way more views than I was expecting. I understand the worry haha

[@davetolomy]

That was absolutely fantastic. I had somehow forgotten all about Oleg until you played those clips! What a guy. Keep up the good work man I look forward to the next one :)

[@DEAD-DROP]

Such amazing work putting this together.

[@kristofdaru2816]

I found your comment. :) Interesting video btw.

[@domagojvrsaljko6161]

2:57 - 3:04 you should do an entire video just about that, where you explore the styles of parkour from different countries, that's something I always found very fascinating.

[@Gluino0012]

Wow, this is gold! Enjoyed so much the trip from the past to now. Solid work! Also makes me want to watch Shade's videos again :D. Thanks a lot! This is incredibly valuable!

[@MrMas9]

Bro these videos are honestly so fucking sick please keep em coming! Possible idea is looking into how the catpass has evolved, specifically looking at Toby's double and other similar feats ?

[@BjarkeHellden]

One of the most interesting videos of yours. Good job. I better get my flip precision game on!

[@tostimg]

do one on the history/evolution of parkour clothing

[@BlueBARv5]

I didn't know much about parkour but I knew of it... You do a great job at explaining parkour with your videos..Thanks.

[@jonatanseifert5300]

this video is absolutely beautiful .. thank you

[@benmason7013]

bro please keep making this sort of content! this was so interesting and 'down to earth', nice work man.

[@munkyzzb7504]

Yeah the evolution of sports is interesting to me too. If you look at MMA and skate boarding over the last 25 years it's amazing. Somebody does something no one ever thought of before and years later little kids are doing.

[@nicolasbuzzi9417]

this video is great the way you use different footage and the way you express yourself make it very entertaining to watch! Crazy how far skill level got, and not to even think about what is to come next!

[@Dallex_]

as someone who loves doing flip pres its so cool to understand the influence behind them..... Like ive been sending flip pres for years now and they are one of my favourite things to do however its not something i really gave any thought about.... each country/place has their own style of movement like you said and ive known that for a while....but you just take these concepts to a whole new level with your videos and really get in deep with the analysis it just gives you that extra insight on why you do a type of movement and where that movement come from that previously you would do and give it no real thought. Honestly i learn so much from watching your videos and understand how movement and progression works better from the analysis (can i just say resurgence bangs and oleg is a og)

[@curtisschnitzer3548]

I've been watching some of Jimmy's videos for the first time this past week, and I think it's interesting how some of these amazing and innovative parkour/free running moments can occur randomly in the middle of a compilation.

[@Benni720]

I'm part of the parkour scene since 2013 now and I've got to say the research in this video is amazingly accurate.

[@teamkinetixmedia]

Loving these videos, really fresh and engaging Parkour content! There were a lot of UK Parkour roof gap flips back as far as 2005/2006, we just didn't have (good) camera phones or social media back then 😂 First big one in London in my experience was Ash Holland in 2005 at Leap of Faith. Brad Wendes fronting roof gaps in 2006/7 then Sammi Perälä from Finland doing clean, technical gainer pre to tiny landings in 2010 at an international gathering in Germany. Looking forward to seeing more vids from Jimmy the Giant, definitely my favourite Parkour content right now!

[@ninjaempire9093]

12:09 when this banger comes on you know it’s boutta get lit 😂😂🔥

[@JReaLBiz86]

This is the 3rd video of yours that I've watched today, and it's made me a subscriber. These are great! I look at parkour in much the same way I view skateboarding - a fringe sport that gained popularity with the youth and became much more prominent in the 2000s. I knew parkour was a staple in world culture when I started seeing freerunners being cast in movies to add an extra dynamic of energy, dexterity, and action. Though I'm not as much a fan of parkour as I am skateboarding, again they're essentially the same manifestation of skill in my eyes; a bunch of young athletes find something they really like doing, get REALLY good at it, and start finding real-world spots to showcase and practice their craft. Parkour videos and skate videos have the same vibe and energy. That's what built my love for it. Anyway, I'm digressing... your content is amazing, and it's opening my eyes to the history of parkour. I always look into the history of things I learn to love in my life, and this is the first place I've gone that has videos dedicated to following the history and progression of this sport. I look forward to seeing more of your content! Kudos, sir!

[@theunstoppablefreefall1329]

dude your videos are so great and entertaining. You are my favourite Parkour historian

[@livewellwitheds6885]

loved your discussion of control and creativity coming together as well as the multiple types of control

[@AmphiMovement]

This video is actually more sick than these flips!!! 🙀

[@sowts5157]

Wow didn't notice at first but that flip at 15:00 is the Bear pit in Bournemouth across the road from the train station. didn't expect to see my comute in this video SAFE. When he landed that flip on the rail the world as they knew it was shattered!

[@austindorman_]

This channel deserves so many more subscribers. You put so much work into these!

[@IOWPCV]

Impressive the way you put these videos together and the narration is very well done! Nice one 👊

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Rafael-nv5iv]

I love your videos, they are so refreshing to those other Parkour videos I see. Would love to see more of them. ❤️

[@juliodojo]

'When I was younger' feelings. Thanks for taking me back to these memories. Sands of Time! ♾

[@nigelwilton1253]

I love your videos so much! they are formatted so perfectly.

[@RAINE____]

Mate. We all love freerunning videos. But you "study" them. You give the history and evolution and the major figures. That's really cool. Cheers for this style. I know nothing about it but it's interesting.

[@ThatTsukuya]

I can't even do a flip pre and honestly, I'm not that bothered about this topic- but you still managed to keep me entertained for the whole video and kept it super engaging. Good job with all of your content so far man.

[@kirbuyanin]

Hey man! Great video, I like how you analysed the steps we took as a community and grew to those crazy precision flips. I started parkour in 2006 in Moscow, Russia and saw the evolution with my own eyes. I think I can explain why the flow and creativity became a thing in Eastern Europe. I remember how hard it was to find a decent spot in Russia. We were watching videos from the UK and France and couldn't find anything similar. Our cities are flat and buildings are quite far from each other. So rails and parapets were a rare find. That's why our first approach to parkour was 'let's jump from a high building' or 'let's do flips from a high building'. Later on we started to focus on the bars and kids' playgrounds like it was in Out of time video. Those were the only options we had. I met lot of athletes coming from even smaller cities (or even towns) and they were the most creative people I saw. Basically our surrounding made us the way we are. Well, that's my 2 cents. Hope that gives you some extra clarity. Again, great video! :) Stay safe mate!

Olegs flip is actually from 2005. I'm not sure if the video "Dvinsk Clan - Le parkour" was on youtube at that time, but it was definitely circulating on other websites. I also remember a very old video by Cyril Raffaelli where he did a side flip gap (maybe even older than Olegs flip) and Xin Sarith Wuku did a front flip gap in his famous video "Urban Ninja" back in 2005.

[@tomasnavarro2343]

Wtf i just discovered this channel and i am so stoked with the amount of info i just got. This is great content dude.

[@outsiderskinetics1223]

Cheers to this guy for being the coolest parkour historian out there

[@Sabortooftigar]

Love the parkour history, thats one of my favorite parts of the sport. Great vid :)

[@DocBree13]

damn... gave me chills! what a fantastic documentary

[@milanivanic85]

You forgot about Renat Ardilanov and his movement. He is one of the most creative people in parkour community. Wonder, what is he up to these days? 🙂

[@senzhengan]

I've seen your videos on my feed now and they're all so entertaining and educational, you've just earned a new sub :)

[@JimmyTheGiant]

Welcome aboard!

[@senzhengan]

Holy shit, I've been noticed

[@senzhengan]

BTW great video

[@tommyshwe7077]

Absolutely smashed it. What another great video!

[@drewsclues5394]

I loved that quote at the end about electric shocks!

[@maxhenryparkour]

Such a good one! Agree with Res that I would've liked to see Nate's side rail pre mentioned, especially since it was the first rail flip done with any kind of height consequence I can think of - although I do like how you differentiated the side and front landing flip pres since that obviously makes a big difference. Also big shout for including Scott Jackson. I feel like his influence on the community is slept on suuuuper hard, especially with all the beasts that have come out of The Parkour Project in recent years.