mercop

The last year I could find stats on was 1999 in which over 1 million Americans suffered falls, 17,000 of them were fatal. Of course most of these were accidents. But in relations to self-defense, do you know how to fall?

This is one of the most basic martial fundamentals you can master. It takes time and until you get to the point you are good at it, well, it just hurts.

One of the things we discuss in class during force on force is able vs disabled, and how fast an able bodies person can become disabled from falling on concrete. If land on your tailbone you could experience temporary or permanent paralysis. This while your attacker is closing the distance to smash your face with his fists or grab you by the hair/ears and smash your head into the concrete.

During classes we start with students crouching as low as possible and then pull them backwards with increasing force. Eventually they are pushed from the front. Here are some simple hints-

Exhale as much as possible.
Tuck your chin tight to your chest.
Ensure your tongue is not between your teeth.

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.

Consider where you wear your gear, are you going to land on it and cause a spinal injury?

Just some food for thought.- George

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dukalmighty

I have never fallen "UP" so yes I do know how to fall,some are harder to get up from.One lesson I did learn that helped a lot was practicing a Parachute Landing Fall and using the collapse of your body to absorb most of the impact,didn't help a bit when I broke my neck tho

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QKShooter

Good thread post.

torgo1968

Great post. Falling should be a mandatory part of P.E. from kindergarten on. Seriously, if you taught kids how to fall and ingrained it into their heads, it would save countless lives and injuries in the long run.

mjmoore

Spent countless hours learning to fall in Hap Ki Do class .
That was back when I was in good shape , I think I could still fall without injuring myself but I would probably hurt for a week .

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Hopyard

Having started martial arts lessons late in life, I can attest that learning to fall has been the most difficult part for me. There is a real fear of breaking something. I certainly don't bounce the way I did 40 years ago. I can't quite see myself actually making it through a real combat related fall onto concrete. At my age a hip or vertebrae will surely go; maybe a shoulder too. This issue certainly influences some of what I ask my instructor to help me with like avoiding the sweep, recovering from a shove. We practice scenes in which my eyes are closed and he shoves, punches, or chokes me from one side or the other. Of course, my ears always sort of pick up on where he is coming from, so it isn't completely realistic.

It is also important to learn to fight and protect while down, to take your opponent to the ground as well, and to be able to get up in a way that leaves some space and puts you immediately back in a fighting stance.

No easy answer, but really great topic/ thread for discussion.

And for some situations, there just is going to be no substitute for a hammerless DAO that can be fired from within a pocket so an attacker never sees it coming.

retsupt99

Thanks for the recommendations on fall prevention...some good points.

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I might also add...
I have no trouble falling...I fall/trip going down stairs, up stairs, on bumpy surfaces, and even on smooth surfaces.
I give my wife many moments of humor...

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sgtD

Do I know how to fall?

Well.......yeah, but I seem to be a lot better at it after several beers....and oh yeah, once I fell in love.....the jury is still out but that one might end up being fatal yet!

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tns0038

Good post… thanks

And I agree with what you said about learning how to fall, is a basic martial arts fundamental.

The problem is most people including those who carry a weapon for self defense, never take any kind of self defense class.

But for those of us who have, it’s a good thing. Because the first thing I do with an aggressor is put them on the ground.

kellyII

I have had my fair share of training in martial arts and armed and un-armed selfdefense. I have practiced falling and all sorts of stuff.

On another note, I have fallen many times as well. The last fall I had, well it happened so fast that I had no time what so ever to react. Two surgeries late and a pin in my leg and I back at it again. Guess my training didnt pay off that day.

Oh well, I learned my lesson and have continued to train improve..

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