You Have Fallen and You Can't Get Up: Why We Teach Breakfalls

For many adults, learning breakfalls is a daunting experience.  Unless you have a background in grappling or gymnastics you likely feel out of your element.  Kids, on the other hand, would be very happy to fall or roll for hours.

As much as we would like avoid being on the ground there are many situations that can lead us there.

• you have been pushed or shoved by an attacker
• you trip during an attempt to escape or evade
• bad footing - sand, gravel, ice, wet floors.....
• someone tackles or drags you to the ground

Not all of these situations have to involve an attacker.  Slipping on ice, wet payment, or those marbles your child (by accident?) left on the living room floor, can all lead to nasty falls.

Proper breakfalls can prevent serious injury and/or enable you to defend yourself against follow-up assaults.  Imagine, for instance, being knocked to the ground then the assailant(s) following up by trying to kick or jump on top of you.  You need to be able and ready to defend.

It is natural for students to feel uncomfortable so we teach breakfalls in stages according to your ability and comfort level.

Whether your enemy is ice or an assailant how you fall will largely determine your fate.  Learning how to fall is an integral part of your self defense training.

Stay Safe,

Christopher Gagne

Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto

torontokrav@rogers.com

416-657-1028
Ikmftoronto.com