Introduction

After the warm-up at the start of class, we usually ask everyone to line up for Ukemi (Breakfalls). Those who are new or have not grasped all the mechanics of the falls to please gather to the far corner.
It should be pointed out that Breakfalls practise is required of all grades during preliminary exercises and every course of study of Jujitsu starts with learning Breakfalls.
To the novice, Ukemi is one essential set of techniques that will prevent you from gaining unnecessary injury. If you do not feel that Jujitsu or the martial arts is the path you wish to follow, this is the one set of many techniques we would encourage you to learn before leaving us.
To the more mechanically advanced, after learning the basics of the various break falling techniques I would urge you to refine your skills and to practise them diligently.

The Objective

The objective in falling is in keeping the body flexible and relaxed, like a rubber ball. You must have noticed that if a ball is rolled or bounced along the ground, it is smooth and will spring if bounced and no damage is done. Unlike a brick or an egg, if rolled it will be chipped and if dropped it will probably shatter (You know what happen to Humpty Dumpty!).
When falling, the body tends to stiffen or tense which will increase the impact force of the fall. Through regular practise of proper break falling techniques, it is easy to learn how to fall instinctively and in a relaxed and confident manner. In no time at all, you will fall without discomfort, fear and tension will be eliminated.

Learning Process

First learn how to fall from a sitting position, then a squatting position, then progress to a standing position.
But the most efficient way to develop a good break fall is by being thrown, you learn in a very unique way, the mechanics of the throws being used. The Novice is introduced to the unfamiliar feeling of movement in an upside down position, probably never encountered before.
To be able to advance in throwing techniques requires fluid movements and commitment, neither of which can be achieved by someone who is terrified of being thrown.

The Methods of Break falling

There are three methods of falling; these are first is to fall directly to the ground dissipating the forces through your arms and legs, the second to blend with the ground by rolling, and the final method is a combination of the other two methods.

The Dropping Method

Key points to remember when a Dropping technique of falling is used:
- Breathe naturally
- Relax and fall like a ‘baby or drunk’
- The fall is broken when one or both arms with open palms strike downward at the mat at 45° angles to the body. The feet also absorb the force when they strike the surface just before or at the same time as the arms.
- Forward break fall (dive)
- Backward break fall
- Side break fall
- Handstand break fall

Important note: If thrown on the street, no attempt should be made to strike the hard surface with the arm. You must use a Collapse Side Break fall. You can still extend your arm at 45° angles, but without slapping. Collapsing onto your side will protect the arm, your head from hitting the ground and the momentum of the fall knocking all the air out of you.

The Rolling Method

The Rolling Breakfalls method is different to the Dropping Method of Breakfalls, because they do use the arms or legs to strike down to the mat or ground. The objective of the rolling break fall is to make your body round like a ball and by using the momentum to get back onto your feet.
- Shoulder roll
- Backward roll
- Sideward roll
- Cartwheel

The Combination Method

When the two other methods are combined, the theory between the two, allow you many techniques.
The beauty of these combined techniques is that they omit the shock of the Dropping method enough to provide a smoother transition to the ground.
- Shoulder roll – Side break fall
- Shoulder roll – Handstand break fall

More advanced techniques of falling may include:
- To pick up a weapon / object while executing a fall.
- To break fall with a weapon. I.e. Sword, or Bo etc.
- Without using the hands
- Hand spring
- The Drunken forward roll

Application

Now we will investigate situations in which we can use Ukemi other then in training, these other occasions may include:
- Slipping walking up stairs - Forward break fall
- Slipping walking down stairs - Collapse side break fall.
- Running & falling - Shoulder roll combined with side break fall or collapse side break fall.
- Being pushed forward – Shoulder roll, forward dive or cartwheel.
- Being pushed backwards – Collapse side break fall or backward roll.
- Falling of moving objects – Shoulder roll combined with side break fall or backward break fall.
- To gain distance or to move from the path of an object moving towards you – cartwheel, shoulder roll or side roll.

Note: This is only a guide and should not be taken as set responses for these situations.
Being off balance in some way is the cause for all of these situations except for the last. At this stage I cannot help you with balance but instead with falling correctly.
The novice should be shown first hand these techniques and not from a book. Remember that the only sure way to improve your falling techniques is to get on the mat and do it.

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