Foo - How to jump a 6' Wall?

Sooo I don't have a fence/wall available to practice but I need to be able to jump/scale a 6' solid wooden wall on an obstacle course. There isn't a rope or anything you just gotta somehow pull up and over.

I tried googling for hints but no luck. They do have a practice sessions two days before the test but I'd like to have more time to get my technique down or do some specific exercises at the gym done to help out.
Anyone have any tips or know any tricks to this?

What will be chasing you? :rolleyes:

Fortunately nothing. Just a 50 ft sprint then up and over the wall and another 50 ft sprint.. then up the stairs, drag a 178 lb dummy and so on. Just a basic physical entry exam for the police. I'm fine with everything else but that dang wall. I mean either I'll just fly over it or whack right into it and have to do the walk of shame which I'd rather avoid.

I would pole vault it. :p I can teach you.

Oh I just read your explanation. Hmm...I suggest working on your vertical leap.

http://www.superdairyboy.com/pictures/poweriser/customer%20images/Jonathan_Kiester300b.jpg

Run at the wall, grab the top with your hands and either side hurdle over or scramble up and over. Six feet ain't nothin.

I sometimes do that for the added exercise when I run. Best thing to do is push yourself up with your arms, and fling your feet up and over, getting a leaping start.

gotta agree with Stacey. Your arms should extended over your head should be well over 6'. Just run up to it, grab the top and scramble over. If you are lucky, the fence will have rails that you can use as toe holds.

Run full speed at the wall.
Shortly before hitting the wall, jump.
Grab the top edge of the wall.
Use your forward momentum and try to get as much grip as you can (with your feet) to push your lower body up.

Try your best to just get your upper body to the top edge of the wall, and you can "roll" the rest of yourself up over the top with very little effort.


Another method:

Stand at base of wall.
Grab top of wall and pull your upper body up while springing/swinging one leg up to the top.
Use your arms and that one leg (now hopefully hitched over the top of the wall) to haul yourself over.

6' is nothing unless you are under 4' tall.

Working on pull ups will help you get over any wall you can get a hold of the top of.

So when you say "a 6' solid wooden wall", what exactly does that mean? Or won't you know until you get there? If it's like 1 X 4 slats nailed to 2 X 4's, try getting a good run at it and just put your shoulder into it. Smash it to bits. If it works, you'll really make an impression. You know--quick thinking, it seemed like the quickest way to get me and the 170 lb dummy past the fence, up the stairs and out of the line of fire, that sort of thing.

If it doesn't work out, well, maybe it's just for the best. Good luck!

Check this guy for some pointers... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp52XtqFRRI

Want to come over and practice on my fence. I have a big azzed dog for motivation. :D

If you can do pull/chin ups you'll be fine. If not, grab the top and wear shoes with decent traction so you can "walk" up while pulling yourself up.

Wow thanks for all the responses.
I think the wall is completely flat like a piece of plywood framed internally by 2x4s so you can't use your feet too easily to walk up.

I'm 6'3" but just got down to 275. I've been riding 42 miles pulling a 70lb+ loaded touring bike 3 days a week and 20 or so miles with it twice a week so my legs are pretty strong. My upper body isn't up to pulling up and over my weight though. I'll try and get back into the gym to do some dips and pullups on the machine they have their

My wife just offered the 8ft brick wall at her Animal services building for practice so I'll give that a go tonight.

My best straightforward answer, and one that has been mentioned:
Run at the wall, don't sprint or you'll faceplant, but run and step up onto the wall about three feet high with one foot. With your foot there grab the top and pull yourself toward the wall. Once you do this your waist should be near the top, lean over and "roll" over. Hold onto the top or you will fall down the other side.

Wow thanks for all the responses.
I think the wall is completely flat like a piece of plywood framed internally by 2x4s so you can't use your feet too easily to walk up.

I'm 6'3" but just got down to 275. I've been riding 42 miles pulling a 70lb+ loaded touring bike 3 days a week and 20 or so miles with it twice a week so my legs are pretty strong. My upper body isn't up to pulling up and over my weight though. I'll try and get back into the gym to do some dips and pullups on the machine they have their

My wife just offered the 8ft brick wall at her Animal services building for practice so I'll give that a go tonight.

275 and a 2x4 plywood framed wall, you will not need to worry about getting over it since it will fall over once you start. So I would practice running as fast you can, dipping your shoulder and just plowing right through it.

[Couldn't resist :D]

275 and a 2x4 plywood framed wall, you will not need to worry about getting over it since it will fall over once you start. So I would practice running as fast you can, dipping your shoulder and just plowing right through it.

[Couldn't resist :D]

I'm with Indy_Rider. Just Juggernaut the sucker and go right through it.

Run around it. Immediately before you do, point into the sky and shout "Look! A dead bird!". Before anyone realises, you'll be on the other side... :D

Use the door.

My best straightforward answer, and one that has been mentioned:
Run at the wall, don't sprint or you'll faceplant, but run and step up onto the wall about three feet high with one foot. With your foot there grab the top and pull yourself toward the wall. Once you do this your waist should be near the top, lean over and "roll" over. Hold onto the top or you will fall down the other side.

Yes, do this. Best method. Trust me.

275 and a 2x4 plywood framed wall, you will not need to worry about getting over it since it will fall over once you start. So I would practice running as fast you can, dipping your shoulder and just plowing right through it.

[Couldn't resist :D]
:roflmao: I'm sure they'd love that :D
Actually I was kinda worried about that truth be told. Might not happen on the obstacle course (i'm sure they have it nicely braced) but if I am ever expected to jump some wooden fence down here they rot really fast and I'd probably go right through it.

run at it
jump and grab the top lip with both hands, planting first foot (whichever one you are most comfortable doing this with) on the wall
put second foot above first foot, then simultaneously pull with your arms and push with your foot.
plant first foot on top of wall and jump.

basically, think rock climbing.

My best straightforward answer, and one that has been mentioned:
Run at the wall, don't sprint or you'll faceplant, but run and step up onto the wall about three feet high with one foot. With your foot there grab the top and pull yourself toward the wall. Once you do this your waist should be near the top, lean over and "roll" over. Hold onto the top or you will fall down the other side.

I did this test and passed doing it this way. EXCEPT! As you roll over the wall, (depending upon which side your feet go over - if your feet go to the right, use your right hand) put your hand about a foot and a half down from the top edge on the new side of the wall as you come down. This will help you to avoid slamming into it as you come down and give you more control for your landing. Your hand/arm act as a "spring".

In a real pursuit situation, you have no idea what you will be landing on. There could be a massive junk pile on the other side of the fence and your hand will help you to push off the wall to land further from the fence.

With all the fat ass cops out there one wonders why there are such strict fitness standards to get hired.

With all the fat ass cops out there one wonders why there are such strict fitness standards to get hired.

Well happy day to you too, Mr. Sunshine!! :)




:rolleyes:

I certainly wouldn't be able to do it, and I'm 5'10.5" and 145 lbs.

4.5' or so would work, but not more than that.

With all the fat ass cops out there one wonders why there are such strict fitness standards to get hired.

They have seriously lowered their standards in certain localities around here which is nice because I shouldn't have any problems but I gotta think long term here. If I go for it and I get the job I dont want to be the only person who can run a block without collapsing. I'd love to be on their bicycle squad though that would be awesome.
In years past I think you used to have to run somewhere around a 6 minute mile and lift so much weight but that is gone now.

My wife told me about a brand new recruit that was about 5'6" and very round. Perhaps he just bounced on over the wall :o\

I certainly wouldn't be able to do it, and I'm 5'10.5" and 145 lbs.

4.5' or so would work, but not more than that.

You could do it. I'm sure of it. It's a lot easier than it sounds. And you only have to do it once. In boot camp we used to have to run, jump and grab a bar then swing ourselves over it like a gymnast. In my opinion that was harder but even the fat kids could do it. Let's put it to the test. Jon, you try it. If you can, anyone can.:lol:

Getting over the wall is super simple if you have the right strategy. You don't really have to be tall or strong. I can grab the top, pull myself up fast and front flip over the wall because I practiced so much to get the right technique (We did it on a 6' wall). I'm only 5'8" (almost!).

You could do it. I'm sure of it. It's a lot easier than it sounds.

Sorry, no. I most definitely could not do it. My upper body strength is almost zero. I can't pull my own body weight up.

Sorry, no. I most definitely could not do it. My upper body strength is almost zero. I can't pull my own body weight up.
It's not upper body strength here, it's all technique. When I graduated HS I was 5'6", 135 lbs and really small. I would be willing to bet you money that with three tries I could get you over that wall. The most important thing is that step and turning forward motion into vertical motion.

Getting over the wall is super simple if you have the right strategy. You don't really have to be tall or strong. I can grab the top, pull myself up fast and front flip over the wall because I practiced so much to get the right technique (We did it on a 6' wall). I'm only 5'8" (almost!).

I'm 5'8" and I could get over by strength too but I bet with a little practice anyone here, guy or girl, could clear it.

It's not upper body strength here, it's all technique. When I graduated HS I was 5'6", 135 lbs and really small. I would be willing to bet you money that with three tries I could get you over that wall. The most important thing is that step and turning forward motion into vertical motion.

Listen, I'm not kidding when I'm telling you how weak I am in my upper body. At work, we store bikes hanging from a rail using the saddles as hooks. And we have a forked metal rod to lift them up with. Everyone else can easily lift bikes up and down, but I've yet to get one up there. Even a short girl, who's nothing more than average in terms of muscle mass, can do it. I can't.

If I can't jump up onto the wall using my legs alone, I'm not getting over. Simple as that.

Fortunately, there is no such test for me in the future. I'm going to be a geologist. :D

If I ever get to Sweden we're putting it to the test. (And that isn't too much of a long, shot I have friends in Finland I plan on visiting at some point.) I'm still a believer we could get you over. You say you can jump onto things so a little leg muscle would go a long way in this. Your arms are just to guide your midsection to the wall without cutting you in half.

Run up the wall, jump and hit it with your strong foot/leg, push and make sure you've got both hands over the lip - pull yourself up, once you're at your stomach, you can get the rest done, swing over and crack on. I used to do 6ft on my own and 12ft assisted (military training, woo) - use your upward momentum to get yourself as high as possible.

Run up the wall, jump and hit it with your strong foot/leg, push and make sure you've got both hands over the lip - pull yourself up, once you're at your stomach, you can get the rest done, swing over and crack on. I used to do 6ft on my own and 12ft assisted (military training, woo) - use your upward momentum to get yourself as high as possible.

If he could do this there would be no reason to ask how to get over. :lol:

That's another thing. I'd NEVER run up to a wall and jump. I'd stop, and climb. I never run into things. Not without full body armour and a full-face helmet at the very least.

This is just stupid, but typical. People are so used to their own abilities, that they can't imagine other people not being able to do what they can do themselves. I happen to be pretty good at climbing hills on my bike, so I sometimes forget that the same isn't true for other people I ride with. But as soon as I'm reminded, I don't start telling them "Oh come on, I know you can climb faster!" when their legs are burning up and their tongues are licking their front wheels...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Le_Parkour_Brasil_-_Passe_Muraille.jpg/399px-Le_Parkour_Brasil_-_Passe_Muraille.jpg

That's another thing. I'd NEVER run up to a wall and jump. I'd stop, and climb. I never run into things. Not without full body armour and a full-face helmet at the very least.

This is just stupid, but typical.

Yea, It's also pretty stupid, but typical, for people to wholly underestimate their abilities without giving something a try. I see it all the time.

Step 1: Be at least 10-12 feet tall.
Step 2: Step over the wall. It's only six feet tall, you freakin' wuss!

On the other hand, I would be impressed as hell to see a big guy just bulldoze his way through the wall instead of struggling to climb over. Use your strengths!

Of course, that's assuming you can do such a thing at all, let alone without injury. Bouncing off the wall with a shiny new dislocated shoulder would be less impressive...

I did something similar in Army basic training. If I can do it, I'm pretty sure you can too. My arms really aren't all that strong.

Yea, It's also pretty stupid, but typical, for people to wholly underestimate their abilities without giving something a try. I see it all the time.

While I haven't tried to climb a flat 6' wall, I've tried to do similar things without success.

I never underestimate my abilities. I've tried and failed at so many things that I have a good idea of what I can and can't do.

Wall climbing lessons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J8UtZR6Z4E).

Here's a video showing what would happen if I were to attempt a 6' wall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A02s8omM_hI

:D

Here's a video showing what would happen if I were to attempt a 6' wall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A02s8omM_hI

:D

holy crap thats funny

Sooo I don't have a fence/wall available to practice but I need to be able to jump/scale a 6' solid wooden wall on an obstacle course. There isn't a rope or anything you just gotta somehow pull up and over.

I tried googling for hints but no luck. They do have a practice sessions two days before the test but I'd like to have more time to get my technique down or do some specific exercises at the gym done to help out.
Anyone have any tips or know any tricks to this?

There was this kid in elementary school named Roberto who used to idolize Bruce Lee. Every day during recess or between classes, when teacher wasn't looking, he'd run toward the wall, then like Spider Man, he would "run" up the wall several steps. He'd get traction from his rubber soles and the force of having run toward the wall, and would manage to get quite high before gravity overtook him and brought him back down. Studying his style, I also learned to scale the wall a little bit. I think that's your approach. You run at the wall, taking several steps up it to propel your momentum upwardly, the while you still have upward momentum use your upper body (pushing down with your hands) to lift you up and then over.

You might want to practice just running against a wall on the side of your house or a building.

Sooo I don't have a fence/wall available to practice but I need to be able to jump/scale a 6' solid wooden wall on an obstacle course. There isn't a rope or anything you just gotta somehow pull up and over.

I tried googling for hints but no luck. They do have a practice sessions two days before the test but I'd like to have more time to get my technique down or do some specific exercises at the gym done to help out.
Anyone have any tips or know any tricks to this?

There was this kid in elementary school named Roberto who used to idolize Bruce Lee. Every day during recess or between classes, when teacher wasn't looking, he'd run toward the wall, then like Spider Man, he would "run" up the wall several steps. He'd get traction from his rubber soles and the force of having run toward the wall, and would manage to get quite high before gravity overtook him and brought him back down. Studying his style, I also learned to scale the wall a little bit. I think that's your approach. You run at the wall, taking several steps up it to propel your momentum upwardly, the while you still have upward momentum use your upper body (pushing down with your hands) to lift you up and then over.

You might want to practice just running against a wall on the side of your house or a building.

This is just stupid, but typical. People are so used to their own abilities, that they can't imagine other people not being able to do what they can do themselves.

You're right. Completely doubting yourself and never trying anything just because you may fail is much better. That will get you far in life. Some of my greatest lessons learned in life have come from failure. PHysical pain, heartache, disappointment, it all makes you who you are later in life just as much as triumph. But I guess those are some lessons you are just too smart to learn....

You're right. Completely doubting yourself and never trying anything just because you may fail is much better. That will get you far in life. Some of my greatest lessons learned in life have come from failure. PHysical pain, heartache, disappointment, it all makes you who you are later in life just as much as triumph. But I guess those are some lessons you are just too smart to learn....

I'm not doubting myself. Quite the opposite. I trust myself. I know myself and my body better than most people, from what I've learned, so I never attempt things I know I don't have the mental or physical ability to handle.

Put another way - I know I can't fly, so I don't throw myself off a cliff just to try!