Glossary

Parkour, Climbing and Stunt Glossary

The language of movement sports, explained.

A speed vault: Danhje, Public domain

Term	Sport	Meaning
Traceur / traceuse	Parkour	A parkour practitioner.
Precision	Parkour	A jump landing exactly on a small target.
Kong vault	Parkour	Diving over an obstacle by pushing off with both hands.
Cat leap	Parkour	Landing hanging on a wall with feet on its face.
Flow	Parkour, freerunning	Linking movements smoothly.
Beta	Climbing	Information on how to do a route or problem.
Send	Climbing	Completing a route without falling.
Crimp	Climbing	A small edge held with bent fingers.
Belay	Climbing	Managing the rope to protect a climber.
Top rope	Climbing	Rope running through an anchor above the climber.
Lead	Climbing	Clipping protection while climbing up.
Onsight	Climbing	Climbing a route first try with no prior information.
Flash	Climbing	First try, but with beta.
Portaledge	Big wall	A hanging tent for sleeping on walls.
Highline	Slackline	A slackline rigged at height with safety systems.
Leash	Highline	Connects the harness to the line.
Stunt coordinator	Film	Plans and supervises stunts and safety.
Airbag / descender	Stunts	Systems that make high falls safer.
Wire work	Stunts	Performers suspended on hidden cables.

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Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources (updated Oct 12, 2026). Spot an error? Email hello@fireempireshop.com.