Traditional Judo

Judo Breakfalls and Breakfall Drills

Ukemi Waza


Featured Technique:

Mae Ukemi - Forward Breakfall




 

Video of: MAE UKEMI

(See below for a detailed text description or technique notes)

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Mae Ukemi - Forward Breakfall


This breakfall is done in situations where you have no opportunity to roll. Essentially, if you are falling directly to the front, face-plant style, this front breakfall is the best way to save yourself.

When learning Mae Ukemi, start from your knees to minimize the forces involved. Keep your hands up at face level with your elbows bent, keeping the elbows bent at all times - DO NOT straighten your arms to reach for the ground as you fall as this will cause injuries (broken wrists and collar bones are common injuries with this type of fall if the proper ukemi is not applied). The idea is to land on the entire length of both forearms simultaneously, turn your head to one side, exhale strongly at the moment of impact, and keep your chest and belly from hitting the ground. When ready, fall gently forward, strike the mats strongly with your forearms while at the same moment let your air out by making an 'Oof' sound or something similar.

Be sure to turn your head to one side so you don't strike your face on the ground, and keep your chest clear of the ground as well. A common error for beginners to make is to reach out for the ground and land on their hands/palms - if you find yourself doing this, correct your position such that you are landing on your entire forearms (from elbow to hand) on both arms before your progress to higher falls.

Once you are comfortable with Mae Ukemi and your position is perfect when doing it from your knees, you can try it from a low standing position (with your legs spread to lower your starting position). The upper body position for the forward breakfall is identical to the version done from your knees. The lower body is kept straight and off the ground such that only your toes and forearms are touching the mats.

When you can safely and comfortably breakfall from the low standing position, you can then progress to a full standing Mae Ukemi, and then to jumping forward into Mae Ukemi.

With the higher amplitude breakfalls, it becomes increasingly important to land only on your forearms (not your hands!), to slap the mats sharply with your forearms and let your air out strongly in order to reduce the felt impact on your chest.


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Click a thumbnail to see a judo breakfall video.

 

Breakfall Instruction: Breakfall Drills and Practice:
Click for a video showing how to do a Traditional Judo breakfall technique called Chugaeri - Shoulder Roll. Chugaeri - Shoulder Roll Click for a video showing a Traditional Judo breakfall Drill for Chugaeri - Shoulder Roll. Breakfall Drills - Chugaeri
Click for a video showing how to do a Traditional Judo technique called Mae Ukemi - Front Breakfall. Mae Ukemi- Front Breakfall Click for a video showing how to do a Traditional Judo Breakfall Drill for Ushiro Ukemi . Breakfall Drills - Ushiro Ukemi
Click for a video showing how to do a Kodokan Judo technique called Ushiro Ukemi - Back Breakfall. Ushiro Ukemi - Back Breakfall Click for a video showing a Traditional Kodokan Judo Drill to help with Ushiro Ukemi and Sempo Kai Ten. Drills for Ushiro Ukemi
and Zempo Kai Ten
Click for a video showing how to do a Traditional Judo technique called Yoko Ukemi- Side Breakfall. Yoko Ukemi - Side Breakfall Click for a video showing a Traditional Kodokan Judo Breakfall Drill for Yoko Ukemi - Side Breakfall. Breakfall Drills - Yoko Ukemi
Click for a video showing how to do a Traditional Judo technique called Zempo Kai Ten - Front Roll. Zempo Kai Ten - Front Roll Click for a Traditional Judo Video showing a judo breakfall Drill for Yoko Ukemi or Chugaeri - side breakfall or shoulder rolling breakfall. Breakfall Drills - Yoko Ukemi
or Chugaeri
  Click for a video showing how to do a Traditional Judo Breakfall Drill for Zempo Kai Ten - front roll. Breakfall Drills - Zempo Kai Ten

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Little Girl does a near PERFECT Ushiro Ukemi breakfall after getting drilled by a soccer ball :)



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Thanks for taking a look at our video: "MAE UKEMI". Don't forget to look at and practice the other Judo Breakfalls!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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