i10casual

Took some judo when I was a kid. That's about a two hour class in falling twice a week. I'd suggest every kid take a little judo.

Paco

Very good post, and not just for self defense. I remember last Winter, in my TKD class, we were outside in a pavilion and I heard kids' voices near the street, poorly lit street, and with the lights at the pavilion I was unable to see who it was. After a very quick scan to see one of my kids missing I took off like I was still in Track. While running across the field I stepped in a hole, not deep enough to tweak anything but it was deep enough to throw me off balance.

Within 2 steps at a sprint I knew I was going down. I remembered the couple of things I have learned on falling and I tucked my head and started a roll on to my shoulder. As soon as I hit the ground I was able to roll and stand back up and keep running.

Everyone saw me take off, but no one saw me fall. They asked where the dirt and grass on my gi came from.

__________________
"Don't hit at all if you can help it; don't hit a man if you can possibly avoid it; but if you do hit him, put him to sleep." - Theodore Roosevelt

If you are not willing to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them!

-Paco

3D

Yet another really fundamental skill to train/practice (and one totally unconsidered by me until your post) thanks for the "whack on the side of the head" mercop.

The neighbors should really enjoy this show.

Eirerogue

I had lots of Judo time when I was younger, which included falls. HOURS of fall practices. What amazes me is muscle memory after all these years.

I've fallen several times this year (I'm now 63) from tripping on something in the garage to falling backwards off a step. I always fall like I learned at 20. Forward falls into shoulder rolls, backward falls to my side and I'm still weight balanced in the falls.

+2 on Judo training at a young age!!

Hiker

Good post and reminder mercop. I find myself seeking out your posts - past and present.

Although I completely missed this when I was young (past 40 now), I've been thinking hard about this kind of training for both my kids.

Based on the way my 6 y/o hits the ground during soccer practice, he could really use some tips and training on the right way to fall down. Mostly self inflicted goofing around, but still...

carver

Heck, I fall all the time! No broken bones yet, so I must be doing something right. No training in martial arts, or anything, but then I've been at it for over 40 years! It comes with two bad legs!

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The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
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Frogbones

Yep knowing how to fall is a good thing. I've had 13yrs in Martial Arts, I regularly mountain bike, ski (the past nine yrs), plus I played football for many yrs, falling was/is a pretty regular thing. I used to be a bike messenger in downtown Houston for close to a decade. Had many SD scenerios unfold, and was hit several times by cars. Was sore, had scrapes, but no borken bones or the like....It's all about balance and how to roll with impact. Bracing (being all stiff) yourself can be the worst deal.

YES it's a good read...and a good thing to practice. LOL I never really practiced it...I just got good at it through trial and error.

"Know when you cannot avoid a fall and go with it, taking a few steps backwards only increases momentum. Try to fall down and not back and down."

Yep...good stuff.

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Progress, not perfection.

triple tap
"think triangle - nipple to nipple to Adam's apple. The hope is that at least two of the three will make serious contact with a major organ or the spine." http://theshootersclub.com/

TucAzRider

Yep,.. For me too,.. I agree..

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1980Maico440

fwiw-
IMO one important lesson possible to learn from "learning" how to fall and experiencing repeated falls succesfully (at least without significant lasting injuries) is that falling in itself should not be sufficient cause for you to lose your combat mindset. Also, since practice makes perfect (muscle/brain memory) I would maintain that even under duress you will be more likely to fall as taught without injury if you practice rather than just chance it without developing any technique. So, if a person is able to maintain his combat mindset along with some position control, albeit on their back or into a roll position, the next step can be threat assesment and response rather than "gosh, how did i end up on my keester, am I hurt? ouch? I am so disoriented etc."
just my $0.02

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I won't stop racing when I get old, I will get old when I stop racing

NRA Life, Master Mason, Jack-of-All-Trades (Master of None)

1980Maico440

ps-
fwiw-
Practice falling/dropping/rolling with your weapon (safe your weapon please).
Be careful as small of back weapon can really hurt! I was taught/practiced many moons ago to carry a SOB off side (5pm?) to prevent spinal injury, but the first time I went thru an accelrated backward fall drill (car window shoot) the small arm I had there embeded itself fairly permanently into my back. Can you say ouch? Chiropractor anyone?

__________________

I won't stop racing when I get old, I will get old when I stop racing

NRA Life, Master Mason, Jack-of-All-Trades (Master of None)