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Old 10-22-2010, 01:54 AM   #23
Randall Lim
Dojo: Tendoryu Aikido Singapore
Location: Singapore
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 94
Singapore
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Re: ukemi - How necessary is high break fall?

Quote:
Andrew Macdonald wrote: View Post
How necessary is it to be able to do a high break fall. the like of which you see in demostrations?

It seems almost a trademark of Aikido but is it more for disply purposes? will a low break fallbe just as good and pssible more practical?

and while i am on the subject, I don't recall any videos of o-sensei's uke performing this kind of high break fall does anyone know the origins?
In my opinion, whether to perform a high or low Ukemi all depends on the manner in which & feeling of which I am floored.

If my Tori delivers me at a low height, I would lower my centre as far as posible to execute a low & gentle Ukemi.

But if he delivers me at a height too high for me to execute a low & gentle Ukemi, I would resort to a high one, but extending me slapping arm further back to absorb the impact of the high fall.

I always make sure that in whatever manner I Ukemi:

(1) I must feel centred with the throw (pivotted at one point, the throwing point), and

(2) It must not harm if it were to be hard ground.
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