Yellow Belt – Falls and Grappling
Breakfalls
A breakfall is used when falling or after being thrown to absorb the impact of the fall in such a way that minimizes the risk of injury. This will allow you to recover quickly and either escape or brace yourself for any further incoming attacks from your opponent.
*Forward or Front Breakfall – Mae Ukemi – 前受け身
This specific type of breakfall should be executed when falling forwards. Just as with the backwards breakfall, it should never be practiced from standing during training and should be taught in stages.
Lying down: When first learning this fall, start by lying face-down on the ground. Raise your head and chest off of the ground by pushing down on your palms and forearms. Your elbows should be bent and your position should look like you are about to begin performing an army crawl. Proper positioning of your hands and forearms will evenly distribute the impact of the fall and prevent your head from smacking against the ground. The forearms and hands should strike the floor simultaneously and the fingers should all be extended and together. Once you master these steps, move on to practicing from a kneeling position.
Kneeling: Raise your chin and bend your elbows so that they are close to your torso while also making sure your forearms and hands are aligned with each other and perpendicular with the ground…