This leg placement is very important. Even black belts get it wrong once in a while.

This is especially distressing for male students, because your testicles can get crushed between your thighs in some hard, slamming breakfalls.

Your watching friends will fall over themselves laughing at your discomfort, if they realize what has happened. I know ... it has happened to me more than once.

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
After a month or more of practice, when you are perfectly comfortable doing your rolling breakfalls, you can make them more challenging.

First, learn to do them from standing. Just bend forward, place your hand palm down in front of your foot. Point your fingertips towards you, or you will break your wrist. Bend the arm ever so slightly like a bow (think of a steel spring) and use your back leg to launch your body forward.

Do the roll and stay on the ground.

As you get more experienced, try getting up again quickly, all in one movement.

Later, extend your arm one foot (30 cms) in front of you before rolling. When you can do that easily, increase the distance.

Next, try falling gently over a friend who kneels, side-on, on all fours for you. At first the friend can crouch really low, later they should lift their body a bit higher. This builds your skills and increases your confidence.

Try not to knee your friend in the ribcage. It happens often.

Have fun. Stay safe!