Learning How to Fall

[amused]

Which of the martial arts classes am I looking for to learn how to fall gracefully? It's just a matter of time before I take another tumble on the skates and I'd like to be better prepared. I understand that one reflex we have is to put our arms out in a fall, with bad results. One of our skaters dislocated his shoulder in a fall, so I suspect that's what happened.

[FBM]

I've learned judo and hapkido. Both of them emphasize training in breakfalls. I once took a motorcycle over a 10-foot embankment and rolled out of it with minor road rash.

[Hermit]

The only experience I have, is with judo. I do remember that we spent a lot of time learning and practising how to fall in such a way that we would not damage ourselves in the process.

[Svartalf]

Judo is probably the one that is easier to find, with the heaviest emphasis on knowing how to fall. Aikido is very good for that too.
I'm pretty sure there are other kinds, but I don't know how common they are. Kung fu styles with heavy "monkey" influence practice breakfalls, but then, unless the school advertises as such, which is rare, you'd have to go ask the sifu directly.

[FBM]

[MiM]

skydiving

[amused]

skydiving

[MiM]

A skydiving course actually includes quite a lot of training on how to handle the contact with terra firma. The same basic principles applies there as to the ukemi. Change the "hit" into a "roll".

[FBM]

Well and good if you plan to fall from 20,000 feet, MiM, but maybe amused is trying to plan for something that starts out a little closer to sea level.

amused, a few years ago, after x years of judo and hapkido training, I was playing basketball on a slippery outside court after a rain. I make a quick little fake and my feet were suddenly over my shoulders. If not for judo and hapkido training, my occipital lobe would've met the concrete. The reflex to tuck my chin to my chest probably saved my life. As it was, I had the wind knocked out of me in a severe way, but I not only walked it off, I continued playing the game. Most of my training was in hapkido, where, as in the above video, you not only fall, but you jump as high as you can and then roll out of it. Or land safely, whichever is the option at the time. I doubt you'll be jumping on the skates, so either judo or hapkido would be fine for you, I think. But keep in mind that you'll have to learn a lot of other stuff along with the breakfalls if you join either type of gym.

[amused]

Hey, I can only take on one dangerous sport at a time! But I understand your point MiM.

Thanks for that info FBM, rather than join a gym I think I'll ask around and see if I can get just a few lessons specific to what I need.

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

Which of the martial arts classes am I looking for to learn how to fall gracefully? It's just a matter of time before I take another tumble on the skates and I'd like to be better prepared. I understand that one reflex we have is to put our arms out in a fall, with bad results. One of our skaters dislocated his shoulder in a fall, so I suspect that's what happened.

Judo / Ju-jitsu etc. will all teach you how to fall without injuring yourself (hopfully).
........Doing it on skates would be another matter.

[maiforpeace]

A dance class is where you might learn the best way to fall...leaps and controlled falls to the floor are part of dance. If I remember correctly, yes, DON'T use your arms to take the brunt of the fall, and try to land on your side if you can, and be as relaxed as possible. Obviously our first reaction is to stiffen up, but that's how you break things.
It's not a wonder that drunk and wasted people survive leaping off the Golden Gate bridge because their bodies were so relaxed.