JUDO
In order for the beginning student to progress safely
in judo, it is imperative that he or she first master the
techniques of falling safely (Ukemi). Any student who
does not have a firm foundation in Ukemi will not progress
because of the fear of being thrown and the inability to
land on the mat without injury.
There are four forms of Ukemi: backward, to either side,
front fall, and the forward roll.
The main points to remember when falling are
to slap the mat hard with one or both arms, to curve the
back, and to tuck in the chin so that the head does not
hit the mat.
The two types of falls that this class will
concentrate on are the side breakfall(done when being
thrown) and the "Push-Roll"(done when pushed from behind
in a dangerous situation that causes loss of
balance).
LEFT SIDE BREAKFALL (instructions are reversed
for right side breakfall)
(1.) From an open stance, step forward with your
left foot, bend over, and put your right hand down
(fingers turned inward) so that it forms a triangle with
your feet. Then put your left hand down between your
right hand and your left foot. Be sure that the fingers
of your left hand point back through your legs, never
toward the front.
(2.-3.) Bend your left arm until it is rounded, tuck
in your chin, and push off hard with your feet, rolling
along your left arm, shoulder and back like a wheel.
(4.-5.) As your legs come down, slap the mat with your
right arm.
Try to "unfold" as your shoulder begin to contact the
mat. If you go over your left shoulder first, then your
right side will end up on the mat and vice-versa. Resist
the tendency to sit up and try to keep the largest part
of your right side in contact with the mat. Slap the mat
and give a "silent kia" just as the greatest mass of your
body contacts the mat.
PUSH ROLLS
To execute a push roll begin the same as in the
breakfall. Instead of unfolding and slapping the mat,
continue on up to the feet, pivot and face the direction
you came from in a forward stance. If you execute a right
roll come up and face the rear in a right forward stance.
If a left roll, then face the rear in a left forward
stance.
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