Ukemi (Breakfalls)

There are plenty of different situations where you will possible fall. For example if you stumble over an obstacle, fall of a ladder or get thrown by an opponent. To reduce the damage created by a fall you should perform a breakfall.

1. Shoulder roll
It’s the softest breakfall, but it’s necessary to have the possiblity to perform it.

Safety

  • Don’t roll over your head, spine or knees
  • Don’t bend your leg inwards while standing up

Types

  • Forward: Roll over one shoulder close to the front leg and then diagonal down to the oposite hip
    • Stand up: Outside of foot (on side where you rolled over hip), Bottom of foot (on other side)
    • Applications:
      – Throws: Tomoe-Nage, Sumi-Gaeshi, Soto-Makikomi, Yoko-Wakare, Yoko-Otoshi
      – Ne-Waza: Escape a lock, like Kimura or Omoplata

  • Backward: Roll over the hip close to the rear leg and then diagonal up to the oposite shoulder
    • Applications: Safely land a jump off an obstacle during parkour (Forward roll as well)

2. Slap fall
It’s the breakfall to perform, when there isn’t the possiblity for a shoulder roll.

Safety

  • Breathe out before hitting the ground
  • Slap the ground right before hitting it
  • Don’t land on your head, spine, hips or knees
  • Neither post a stiff arm nor a stiff leg

Types:

  • Forward (Mae)

    Mae-ukemi (Hard)

    Variations

    • Soft: Start on knees, Move pelvis forward, Turn head, Fall forward (Roll movement)
      • Applications: Just for fun
    • Hard: Start on feet, Fall forward, (Move feet backward), (Turn head), Land on forearms
      • Applications: Throws from behind (e.g. Morote-gari)

  • Backward (Ushiro)

    Ushiro-ukemi (Soft)

    Variations

    • Soft: Start on feet, Lower pelvis (Bend legs), Round spine, Fall backward (Roll movement)
      • Applications: Tani-otoshi, Kani-basami
    • Hard: Start on feet, Fall backward (Keep spine straight), Land on upper back and arms
      • Applications: Morote-gari

  • Sideward (Yoko)

    Yoko-ukemi (Hard)

    Variations:

    • Soft: Start on feet, Lower pelvis (Bend one leg), Round spine, Fall sidewards (Roll movement)
      • Applications: Just for fun
    • Hard: Start on feet, Lower pelvis (Bend one leg), Fall sidewards, Land on one side and arm
      • Applications:
        – Throws: Seoi-nage, Tai-otoshi, Uki-goshi, Koshi-guruma, Uchi-mata, Ashi-guruma
        – Bouldering: Falling of a low roof
      • Other entires:
        – Mae-mawari-ukemi (Forward roll entry)

        – Tobi-ukemi (High fall entry)

        “Slap fall (Judo style) vs. Feather fall (Aikido style)” from an Aikido perspective