Sid Breakfalls, continued...

Now, Do It from Standing Up

Once you can do side breakfalls properly from on the mat, you should progress to doing them from a standing position. This is a whole new ball-game, and the trick is to get your body down to the mat (or ground) as smoothly, and as slowly, as possible.

From standing on two legs, bend your right leg at the knee and lift it off the ground in front of you (so it is bent at the knee and parallel to the ground). Then bend your left knee and start lowering your weight to the ground. Go as slowly as you can.

When your strength gives out in the left leg, allow your body to fall on its right side. Just as you practised on the mat, you should land on your right hip with your right leg bent. The impact gets taken all along your right side, and keeping your chin on your chest will keep your head from banging the ground.

Slap the mat if you have one with your right arm (at 45 degrees). Your left hand should rest safely out of the way on your stomach. Check your posture.

Now stand up and repeat the breakfall, so you land on your left side.

Raise your left leg bent at the knee and keep it in front of you, parallel to the ground. Bend your right knee and lower your body slowly. As your leg reaches the point where it can't hold the weight any more, fall as gently as you can to your left side.

If you're on a mat, slap it with your left arm (45 degrees) and check your posture. Your right hand should be on your belly. Your chin should be pressed hard to your chest.

Stand up and do it again on the other side. You must learn to do it well from either side.

You'll find the breakfalls quite tiring at first, especially since you are dropping all your body weight to the ground, then raising it, then dropping it ... again and again and again.

Do it twenty times for each session/day. You are building muscle groups you never had before, and your body is learning to relax and protect itself automatically as you fall. This skill is priceless.

Next, you will need to learn Rolling Breakfalls (sometimes called Forward Rolls).

Falling safely is essential, for breakfalls are the first survival skill you will learn in any martial art which emphasizes throws, such as Judo, Ju-Jitsu or Aikido.

Learning to breakfall is important because you can't give and receive throws in class until you can fall safely and confidently yourself. Knowing breakfalls can also save you from serious damage on the street, in a real fight.