While sitting in Karate class yesterday trying to teach a new Green Belt how to do a proper fall it hit me. Out of all the things you learn in any of the styles of Karate that are out there probably the most important or at lest the one you are most likely to use is learning how to fall.
I have always been good at this, it just sort of came to me and I have to say that it has saved my butt on a number of occasions. Between dodging kids toys in the house in the dark or walking on the lovely New England winter Ice and Snow it is a rather useful thing to know.
We started him with the basics, just a simple roll backwards and catching himself on the mats. You start by sitting on your heels and just letting yourself roll back. You stop the fall with your arms out at about a 45 deg angle and by tucking your chin to your chest to protect the back of your head. You want to keep your arms fully extended so you can slap down with your palm and forearms, if you land on your elbows or hands you can hurt yourself. . .
Anyway we got him started. It is amazing how many people are afraid to fall. Unfortunately that seems to be part of the problem, cause then you tighten up and really hurt something instead of going with it. . .
Ah well, that is the useless info for today. Another class tonight if I am lucky. . .
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