Breakfalls - Angle Arm Makes With Body

[JuJido]

Would it ultimately be correct to measure the success of the breakfall by whether or not it hurts? In other words, if it doesn't hurt, you're doing it right?

[Joemoplata]

Originally Posted by Phyzmatix

Would it ultimately be correct to measure the success of the breakfall by whether or not it hurts? In other words, if it doesn't hurt, you're doing it right?

Define "hurts".

The idea of a breakfall is to spread the impact across a larger surface area, and to reduce impact to the head. It's just physics...if you take the mass of your body x the speed of your fall and apply that energy to a small part of your body it will put a lot of stress on that part of the body. If you take that same energy and spread it across a larger amount of the mass it will absorb more of the energy.

There are a lot of details to a proper break fall that aren't even being discussed that are way more important than the angle of your arms like ducking your chin, breathing out, etc..

[03youngd]

Originally Posted by Phyzmatix

Would it ultimately be correct to measure the success of the breakfall by whether or not it hurts? In other words, if it doesn't hurt, you're doing it right?

Yes and it depends on how long you practice, i can get thrown and it to not hurt at all and if you find being winded a problem then do a loud shout as you hit the ground this will stop that

[JuJido]

Originally Posted by Joemoplata

Define "hurts"

Bruised or tender muscles after the fall and or bone and joint impacts...I guess there'll always be a slight sting though (?).

Originally Posted by 03youngd

Yes and it depends on how long you practice, i can get thrown and it to not hurt at all and if you find being winded a problem then do a loud shout as you hit the ground this will stop that

I don't get winded as much as I get my ribcage bruised (lower ribs just above the kidneys).

[Chapel]

If you are training on a mat, the sign that you are doing something wrong is if you feel any part of your body dig into the mat. On something harder, that is going to result in some serious pain. That being said, you are being taken to the ground and so some sting would be normal even if the impact is spread through the proper area. Don't worry about a general sting that goes away, worry about getting rid of paint that is localized, especially in joins like your hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder or knee.

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by Joemoplata

Closer to the body the better is how I was taught.

Same here.

[WC_Lun]

Originally Posted by Chapel

If you are training on a mat, the sign that you are doing something wrong is if you feel any part of your body dig into the mat. On something harder, that is going to result in some serious pain. That being said, you are being taken to the ground and so some sting would be normal even if the impact is spread through the proper area. Don't worry about a general sting that goes away, worry about getting rid of paint that is localized, especially in joins like your hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder or knee.

Chapel is right about this. Unless the person taking you to the ground is experienced enough to control your fall for minimum impact, you are gonna feel it. In a normal throw, your entire bodyweight is hitting. If the throw has intention you'll have more force added to that. Even if you fall really well, you are going to feel some pain on impact.

I would also add that a roll will disapate energy MUCH more than a fall and leave you in a better defensive position. It is not always possible to roll out due to angle, room, and if your opponent attaches.

[JuJido]

Originally Posted by WC_Lun

Chapel is right about this. Unless the person taking you to the ground is experienced enough to control your fall for minimum impact, you are gonna feel it.

I prefer if they don't let me down as I'm going to have to learn how to do it without any assistance anyway. We don't put undue force into throws though as injuries are obviously not recommended but a bit of pain on occasion is a good teacher.