Falling

[MJS]

I still see falling is taught in the beginning. Question: Has anyone ever used the falling techniques for real, in real encounters? I guess what I'm asking is should falling still be taught? Even in dojo's, if you think about it, do you fall that way? or do you just fall.

Not a real life situation as in a fight, but this past winter, while walking my dog, I slipped on some black ice. Executed a nice side fall and still managed to hang onto the leash! :ultracool Got back up, un-injured, and continued on with the walk.

Mike

 

[Grenadier]

In my dojo, they are taught to perform takedowns with good control. Once they understand how to do the takedowns, then they are taught how to fall correctly.

I'm the unorthodox one out the the instructors, though, since I prefer to let them learn how to fall first, and then work the takedowns.

I'll start by taking the jigsaw mats (made of foam rubber), and lock a bunch of pieces together, and start the students out by having them lie down on their backs, with their feet in the air, chins tucked in.

They start by opening up their palms, and slapping the palms and the forearms on the mat many times, so that they can get used to the idea of maximizing surface area.

Once they're accustomed to that, I'll have them start from a sitting position, and have them roll backwards, with their chins tucked in, and have them spread out their arms, and repeat the above slapping motion, so that they can now apply the concept of spreading out the impact over a larger surface area.

Once they're comfortable with the sitting position, I'll start them out in a squatting position, and then have them learn how to spread out the impact while falling sideways.

Usually, that's more than enough for a first lesson, and the next morning, I get people telling me that they're having a harder time gripping that cup of coffee in the morning (first timers always get the shakes). Still, I haven't had anyone say that they hated the knowledge.

Once they're comfortable with all of the above drills, then I'll have them partake in some gentle takedowns, and some gentle throws on the mats, so that they can get the idea of sticking the arm(s) out when they are engaged in a fall.

I always try to partner people with equivalently sized / strength folks, but once in a while, there's that really big fellow, who weighs 280 lbs that I can't let the others try, so of course, I'll be his partner. I don't mind letting him throw other people, since everyone knows him as the gentle giant (and one heck of a good fellow, too), but you do need a certain minimum amount of strength to work safely with him.

 

[ginshun]

Rolling and breakfalls are some of the first things we do.

 

[Lisa]

Crucial part of training, IMHO. It was one of the first things I was taught and think it really important for everyone to know and practice. It helps prevent injuries both on the mat in training and in real life.

I think we can all recall times that we have used them outside of the school to save ourselves from injury.

 

[stone_dragone]

My first school taught breakfalls heavily until yellow belt, and then you practiced them by hitting the floor.

When I teach them, they are part of the warm up any time we might think about doing takedowns, regardless of level.

My personal training in breakfalls (and a LOT of help from my Heavenly Father) saved me when I was in a motorcycle accident. After flying 8 feet into the air and bouncing off of a ford escorts windshield, I landed rather safely...in the other lane. Hopped right back up...kinda had to, cars weren't slowing down nearly as much as I'd hoped they would.