Ukemi

[Gary]

It's quiet here, so thought I'd ask how others integrate break falling into their Wado training, teaching?

I was gonna say with particular reference to kk#10 but actually would be interested in others general approach?

Gary

[Tim49]

It's quiet here, so thought I'd ask how others integrate break falling into their Wado training, teaching?

I was gonna say with particular reference to kk#10 but actually would be interested in others general approach?

Gary

Hi Gary,
Every so often we bring in mats and work it through in a logical way (impact and spreading the pressure followed by the roll). Learned a simple drill from Iwasaki Sensei for the more characteristic breakfall seen in Wado.

Also, depends on the venue.
Sugasawa Sensei has taught aspects of the breakfall. Trained with him in a Breton Wrestling gym a few years back, lovely surface to practice on, got some good practice in.

Tim Shaw
Essex UK

[metalfury]

I remember when I first started we used to get the mats out around once a month for some break falling training, but that was a particular dojo and with a particular Sensei.

The training was very similar to the type of training I carried out in Judo as a child. Starting with falling backwards from a squat and developing into a roll, running dives into a forward roll and then some application work with a partner.

I would say now that it rarely features in my training, which is probably why I break into a cold sweat when KK10 is practiced on courses!

[Gary]

I know what you mean Rob... and the older you get the more daunting the prospect seems as well.

From time to time we hire out the Judo room (complete with mats) at the local leisure centre and do our worst to fling ourselves around a bit.

It also occurs to me also that although practicing idori won’t necessarily teach you how to break fall - you are a lot closer to the ground in the first place ;)

Gary

[WadoAJ]

We used to do this as a part of the warming up. Over time this was abandoned for no particular reason. Even if the class lasts two hours I still feel that it is not enough. Hence, ukemi not on my priority list.

Although, my students coincidentally asked to train it again recently.

AJ

[Gary]

I know what you mean AJ - not enough hours in the day anyway.

You're lucky though, as you have mats don't you? Albeit the jigsaw ones (not that they are bad btw)?

I'm not advocating that we should approach ukemi as a "conditioner" like the Judo/Jujutsu guys do, but given Wado's historical links to Kobujutsu (and the origins and purpose of kata like Kihon Gumite) its just got me wondering a little more.