The Correct Way to Back Roll

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: Backward Roll

The Hapkido Backward Roll enables the martial artist to absorb the momentum of being forced backward and spring up to a ready position instantly without getting hurt. It requires a minimum of effort but perfect technique. People both large and small can perform the Hapkido Backward Roll with a some training.

Stand Ready
Stand in a comfortable ready stance with one leg forward and both knees bend. Your arms should be relaxed and in front of you.

Fold Your Rear Leg
Fold your rear leg behind your front leg and fall backward as if you were sitting down. The placement of your folding leg is important because it will help bounce you up later. Protect your head and neck by pressing your chin to your chest. When rolling backward your head is in great danger of bouncing off the pavement. Tucking your neck keeps your head from wobbling around as you roll.

Roll Diagonally Across Your Back
Roll backward along a diagonal line across your back. This is the most important part of the technique. Imagine a line drawn from the hip of your folding leg diagonally across your back to the opposite shoulder. That is the line you will roll along. Your body should be an arc extending from your hip, across your back, to your shoulder. Imagine that you are a ball rolling on the ground. If you extend any hard edges like a hip or shoulder you will hurt yourself.

Reach for the Ground
Reach both hands over the shoulder opposite your folding leg. This is the shoulder at the end of that diagonal line. Your backward momentum will push you back onto your shoulder. You wont have to search for the ground. It will find your hands if they are in the right position.

Push Off
Push up and shoot your legs into the air when you feel the ground with your hands. The momentum from your backward roll, the push from your hands and the kick of your feet will all combine to bounce you up to your feet again. This does not require strength. It is a matter of technique and timing. If you relax and let the force of your fall work for you then the Hapkido Backward Fall will be somewhat effortless.

Return to Starting Position
Return to the ready stance. When you complete your roll you will notice that your feet are in the exact same position that they were when you started. That's the beauty of this technique. You have literally come full circle.

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The Hapkido Backward Roll requires confidence. If you are afraid to go head over heals backward 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.
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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.