Mae ukemi

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[Duarh]

Hullo everyone.

I've been training only for a few months and, though I absolutely love Aikido, I have some problems. Up to very recently, I thought I had got those forward rolls more or less right. Still, I occasionally felt a bit of back pain after training. Last Thursday, we did udekime nage at the dojo, and I failed to do the ukemi right constantly. I asked sensei to show me, and, with him guiding me, I somewhat managed it, but I still have problems. Would you people mind sharing how you do forward rolls and how you learned to do them? I'm particularly interested in how you control your legs and hands during the roll, and at what moment and where does your BACK connect with the mat.

Thanks very much,

Toms

[Marc McIntyre]

;) Hey,
I'm a newbie too. And usually I find that if my rolls are flat, I forgot the concept of "unbendable arm" as well as I'm trying to roll too tight. I find the more I try to go out and extend, the better the roll.

[Datamike]

Here's the trick:

Be a ball. As simple as it sounds, that's the key to both mae and ushiro ukemi. You will find pain in your back, shoulders, or neck it's a sign that you ain't doing it right. The idea is mostly to learn to shape your body during the roll. Not all ukemis are round and that's why mae ukemi is very important.

[Paja]

If you're able to do mae ukemi correctly alone (without partner), and have problems only beeing thrown by tori, it can be due to your bad uke job.

You, as the Uke, should be relaxed, in control, and should be able to feel technique to prepare yourself at least for good breakfall (or another attack or kaeshi waza). I know it is very difficult for (not only) beginners and it needs time and practise.

Regards,
Paja