Being able to safely fall is one of the most important things to learn in martial arts. Surprisingly many experienced martial artists do it incorrectly or never learned to do it at all. This is incredibly dangerous. In a conflict, nothing is more vital than the ability to hit the ground and bounce back up unharmed. Today I begin a series of articles on the proper way to fall. Today: the Forward Fall.

The Hapkido Forward Fall allows the martial artist to fly through the air and land safely face down after being knocked suddenly from their feet by a force behind them. This can be anything from a push from another person to the momentum of tripping over a step. We will show you how to safely dissipate the forces of falling that would ordinarily injure a human body.
Ready Position
Start from a standing position with your arms in front of you. You will use them to absorb most of the impact of falling forward. When you first attempt the Hapkido Forward Fall you should start on your knees and slowly lean forward to fall. As you improve your technique you can rise to your feet then later jump into the air from increasing heights.
Spread Your Body Out and Up
As you are falling forward thrust your feet outward and your rear end into the air. Yes this looks funny but it is very important. When you fall you must protect the fragile parts of your body that can break. Bones like the hips will snap like twigs when impacting concrete. You must get your hips off the ground at the moment of impact. At the same time turn your head to one side. You could break your nose or teeth if your face bounces off the pavement. Turn your head!
Slap the Ground with Triangle Arms
Your arms will save the rest of your body. I am not talking about your elbow, wrists or fingers. They will break just as easily as any other bone in your body. Landing safely requires that the force of your fall be dissipated by as wide a surface area as possible. If your entire body weight came down on your wrists they would probably shatter. However that same impact is harmless if spread out along your forearms, hands and feet. If you followed the last tip then you are now falling forward with your rear end pointed in the air. This is raising your hips off the ground. Reach out and simultaneously slap the floor with both arms and hands. They should impact the ground from elbow to fingertip at the same time. Your hands should land beneath your head angled at 45 degree angles inward toward the line of your body. It will look like a triangle with your forearms and an imaginary line between your elbows. Do NOT reach down and try to stop falling by holding your arm down straight. This will snap your forearms in two.

Make a Pyramid
At the same time your forearms slap the ground the balls of both feet should also land. There should be a triangle formed by the balls of both feet and your two hands beneath your head. Your rear end should also be pointed in the air making you look like a pyramid. This stance spreads the impact of the fall along a wide area. You may look ridiculous but you wont have any broken bones.

Brace for Impact
If you do not prepare yourself for the impact of the fall you will likely have the wind knocked out of you. This is a rather unpleasant experience. To avoid this you must tighten your abdomen and let the air out of your lungs. Martial artists will let out a yell called a “kyup.” This takes the jolt out of any impact.

Time It Right
Ultimately the Hapkido Forward Fall is a timing move. Everything needs to happen at once. Remember, once you are falling forward you must protect your vital regions and break your fall with your non vital regions. Let’s review. Shoot your rear end into the air to get your hips off the ground and turn your head to the side to protect your pretty face. Then slap the floor with both arms flat at 45 degree angles inward from the line of your body while the balls of both feet land on the pavement. Let out an abdomen tightening yell as you land. You should impact the ground looking like a pyramid. Your hands and the balls of the feet should be three points of a triangle and your rear end should be the apex of the pyramid. If you do it right you will bounce right back up without a scratch or bruise.
• The Hapkido Forward Fall requires confidence. If you are afraid to fly through the air and land with your face inches from the ground then you will hesitate and hurt yourself. Commitment to the move is essential. Practice slowly at first with a partner on a soft surface. Once you realize that you wont be injured if you do it correctly you can move up to harder surfaces like grass. Take it slow. Martial artists practice years to perfect this technique.
• There is risk of injury with any martial arts technique. No move should be attempted without proper training and adequate supervision by a qualified professional. Always guard your head, neck and vital organs from injury. Take all reasonable precautions. Don't attempt any technique alone.
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