The dash vault is a useful move for clearing a distance before having to connect with the vault surface with your hands. Most people find them easier on walls and blocks, but I personally prefer to do them on rails. Since you’re relying on your peripheral vision for hand placement, it is harder on rails. What makes it different to the majority of other vaults is that it is feet first. Because of this, there is an increased chance of clipping your feet (mainly caused by taking off too close to the rail). However with practice, it becomes a very safe move - if you feel you are going to clip your feet, then you can just put your feet down upon the obstacle.
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| Click the photo (above) to download a video of this technique.
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Get a good run up with comfortable speed. Remember that you’re going to be taking off from one foot, and thus there is less room for error in your run up. Remember what I said about taking off nice and far away? I’m not even in shot yet! Make sure you get a good push from the takeoff - mainly upwards, but also forwards slightly. The other leg should swing up, which should produce extra height and also make you lean back just a little bit too.
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| The swinging leg should still be leading the movement at this point. Your other leg should’ve started to come back up to join it too. Your arms should begin to move forwards, ready to connect with the rail/wall. Your focus should be on the obstacle, but remember that you will not be able to see it by the time you make contact. |
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| Your legs should almost be together now, just as you start to clear the obstacle. Your hands should be reaching down; at this point you’re looking to get a good grip upon the rail/wall. Your hands should make contact at the same time as each other, although sometimes one hand comes down slightly before the other. In the photo example, one hand has come down before the other because the railing is curved. |
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Here’s where the move can vary - a lot of people land this movement on two legs, but i prefer to land one before the other, and thus ill continue this tutorial with the single-legged landing style. I prefer it as it helps you to continue your stride out of the movement. As you can see, one leg (the swinging leg) has begun to fall below the other. As you can see I’m still finding my grip with my left hand - this is a bad habit of mine, do not copy it! Although it has no implications, a proper grip with that hand at this point would improve aesthetics.
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Finally, I have a nice firm grip with both hands! This is the point where you need it too, once your legs are clear of the obstacle, you need to kick out, and use your arms to push away from the obstacle. This helps with overall distance out of the movement. At this point my leg is coming down ready for landing. The other is still pointing outwards, for distance - how far out depends on your stride length. If you wish to keep your feet together then they should both be up - this way you can kick away harder and thus gain more distance. Once you’ve pushed away with your hands, release your grip. |
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One foot should come into contact with the ground well before the other. You can vary this with the angle and power at which you push away from the rail/wall. Land, and continue your run.
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Variations
The kash vault is the main variation on the dash. It is a combination of a Kong and a dash - you begin by diving forwards as if to Kong, but then push away with your hands, allowing your legs to go between your arms. You land on your hands again and push away again, this time kicking away as if you would for a regular dash.
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