Judo & Concussion, The importance of Correct Ukimi (Breakfalls)

Judo, Concussion and Ukimi: The Importance of Safe Falling Techniques

Judo is a dynamic sport that teaches balance, control, and force redirection. However, it also involves repeated impacts from throws and falls. Safe falling techniques, known as ukimi, play a crucial role in reducing injury risks, including concussions. Understanding how to fall safely can protect athletes and extend their time on the mat.

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Understanding Ukimi in Judo

Ukimi refers to the various breakfall techniques used in Judo to absorb impact safely. Practitioners learn how to land with minimal force on vulnerable areas, reducing the chance of injury. The key ukimi techniques include:

• Ushiro Ukimi (Backward Breakfall): Used when falling backward, this technique spreads the impact across the body and avoids head contact.
• Yoko Ukimi (Side Breakfall): This method protects the head and spine when falling sideways.
• Mae Ukimi (Forward Breakfall): A rolling technique that allows judokas to disperse energy effectively.
• Mae Mawari Ukimi (Forward Roll Breakfall): This variation converts a fall into a controlled roll, preventing sudden impact.

Regular ukimi practice ensures reflexive execution during throws, minimizing injury risks, including head trauma. More information on breakfall techniques can be found here.

The Link Between Judo, Concussion and Ukimi

Head injuries remain a concern in contact sports, including Judo. A well-executed breakfall significantly reduces the risk of head impact and brain injury. Concussions occur when rapid movement or impact causes the brain to shake inside the skull. In Judo, concussions may result from uncontrolled throws, poor falling techniques, or accidental head clashes.

A study on injury risks in Judo highlights the importance of proper falling techniques in minimizing head injuries. The research emphasizes that judokas who consistently practice ukimi demonstrate lower concussion rates (source).

Training for Safer Falls

Coaches and athletes must prioritize ukimi in training. Beginners should practice breakfalls on soft surfaces before advancing to standard tatami mats. Drills should emphasize proper technique, including:

• Keeping the chin tucked to prevent whiplash.
• Using arms and hands to distribute impact evenly.
• Engaging core muscles to maintain control during falls.

Advanced judokas should incorporate ukimi into dynamic drills, ensuring technique remains effective under real-time stress.

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Applying Ukimi Beyond Judo

Ukimi principles benefit athletes outside Judo as well. Martial artists, gymnasts, and even everyday individuals can use breakfall techniques to reduce injury risks from unexpected falls. Older adults, in particular, can learn ukimi-inspired techniques to prevent serious injuries from accidental slips.

Reinforcing Safety in Judo

Judo, Concussion and Ukimi are interconnected. Proper breakfall training is essential for minimizing head injuries and ensuring long-term participation in the sport. By emphasizing ukimi in daily practice, judokas can build safer reflexes, reducing the likelihood of concussions and other serious injuries. A strong foundation in ukimi leads to a safer and more enjoyable Judo experience.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard
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Judo Throw: When Evasion Is More Beautiful

When Evasion Is More Beautiful Than The Judo Throw

In Judo you cannot score against someone that lands on their front. So to that end, one of the things that I get my Judoka to practice is a spin around Mae Ukemi (forward Breakfall). This is where Tori holds onto Uke's hands and leans back until they can no more and they let go and spin around into a Mae Ukemi. Tori is in complete control as Uke is entrusted not to let go until Tori does.

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I always start my students out using a crash mat as there is a lot of potential to land on shoulders until it is masted.

Incredibly Useful To Any Competitive Judoka

This is incredibly useful to any competitive Judoka as you will see from the video below

There is another exercise that involves doing cartwheels on your elbows and spinning out but I was never able to master it myself and could not get any of my students to be able to do it either. But I am told it is also useful.

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My son when he was competing did an amazing flip of the back of his opponent who was trying Ippon Seio Nage on him the result of the flip was a reversal of the throw and my son won. I was always under the impression that this was spontaneous, as I discussed in my posts Why Shouldn't Judo Be More Gymnastic?. But in recent months I was discussing this move of his and he informed me that he had spent weeks perfecting it with one of my fellow black belts.

Any question about the value of this kind of practice is flatly dispelled when you look at the video below.

The lesson here is that if you are a Judo competitor you should be finding ways to practice landing on your front.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard

Judo Game: Judo Rolls (Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi) on an Exercise Ball

A Judo Game For Judo Rolls (Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi) with an Exercise Ball

This little video is a demonstration of a Judo game that I play with all my Judoka to improve their Judo rolls (Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi) using an exercise ball.

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Way more Judoka, but particularly junior Judoka, have trouble with their Judo rolls than I really like to think about. Yet a Judo roll is possibly the most used breakfall (I've often wondered if it should be spelled brakefall). The vast majority of throws result in Uki falling via a roll. So it makes sense to find ways to help improve them for everyone.

I find the exercise ball method here demonstrated by juniors (but I hope you can see the application to all Judoka) to be the easiest way to help fix rolls. More than anything because, presented as a Judo game, it is fun.

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One of my Sensei explained the importance of learning to roll correctly this way, "if you are round you roll if you are flat you go splat". That was quite enough motivation for me to not only get it right for myself but to teach others to get it right also.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard

Judo Game: Breakfall Tiggi

Judo Game: Breakfall Tiggi

This is a fun Judo game called Breakfall Tiggi. The kids love it and it is a way for them to actively practice their breakfalls without being thrown.

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The rules are simple:

• Choose someone to be it to start with using whatever method you like
• You cannot be tagged if you are in the process of doing a breakfall
• The Judoka must do the breakfall that is specified or they become it
In the video you will hear me calling out "side breakfall only" and those that did back breakfall became it.
• Depending on the skill of the students you can add rules such as:
• If your head touches the mat you are "it"
• If you hit the mat with the back side of your hand you are "it"
• If you hit the...[safety element -Wall, edge of the mat, go outside the competition area, add your own] you are "it"
• If you stay on the ground too long you are "it" (you must get straight up from doing a breakfall)
• If you are approached by "it" and you run away instead of doing a breakfall you are "it"
• If you stand still too long you are "it" (you must keep moving)

There is one other necessary rule:

Whoever is "it" is not allowed to stand guard over someone they must keep moving or the Judoka they are guarding gets a free pass until "it" goes away.

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This is a very fast Judo game that not only teaches active breakfalling but also spacial awareness. The kids need to know where they are or they will land on someone else.

Whoever is in charge of the game needs to also be constantly alert. You will hear me in the background "refereeing".

Most importantly the kids love this game and are almost oblivious to the fact that they are improving their skills.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard

Judo Breakfalls: Slapping, Breathing, Relaxing

About Judo Breakfalls: Slapping, Breathing, Relaxing

I have written quite a lot about Judo Breakfalls, including a lengthy description of what they do and how they work. But I came across another discussion on them, that made me realize I had forgotten to mention a very important point

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Judo Breakfalls: Relaxing and Breathing

The very nature of breakfalls is so that you can have the confidence to fall and not get hurt.

This of course lends itself to relaxing. But by this, I don't mean that you should be lax in your falls. But I do mean that you don't want to tense up. You want to be comfortable with your falls knowing that they are controlled.

If you don't know how to fall then you naturally tense up when you even think of falling but knowing how to fall is of no help to you if you are tense because if you are tense you will not be able to do the fall correctly.

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On the other hand, if you are relaxed when you fall you can be thrown very hard indeed and still hardly be affected.

So you have to learn to relax at the same time that you learn to fall.

I've had a few students that start to learn their falls and despite the fact that they have all the technical knowledge on how to do it, they still struggle with their falls until they learn to relax.

Part of this relaxing is learning to breathe. By definition, if you're tense you will hold your breath. The other article mentioned above talks about making a loud noise when you fall. Something like Kiai or Oof - ;). Which of course make no difference to you if you are falling in the street or on an MMA or UFC mat. But it may make a huge difference to you on a Judo mat.

You Don't Want A Crappy Throw To Sound Like A Great One

In a Judo contest points are scored based on how much control and force as much as they are based on exactly how a player lands. This of course is to some degree subjective on the part of the referee.

For example: technically speaking if a player is thrown on their side, a Wasari (almost a win but not good enough) is scored. However, it is not always easy for a referee to see just how much a player is on their back or their side. So if the degree of the fall is in question a score may be based on how much force and control was in the throw. Hence a loud "Oof", when you fall, sounds like a throw was done with a fair amount of force.

You don't want a crappy throw to sound like a great one. I've seen many a crappy throw result in a win ostensibly based on nothing else, other than the sound of the landing.

For the purpose of a Judo competition then you don't want to practice Kiai or Oof. Definitely don't hold your breath, however; you don't want to be winded. Instead, it is better to practice deliberate exhaling in one continuous action while you are in the process of the fall. Trust me, nothing will stop you from a loud Oof if you are thrown with enough force; you do not have to practice it.

Judo Breakfalls: Give The Mats A Solid Slap

The same thing applies to giving the mats a solid slap as you land.

Whilst the reason for slapping the mat hard is to distribute the force of the fall over the widest possible area; rather than in just your core body, not all throws justify a loud slap. If you are thrown energetically enough, or you are thrown on to a hard surface such that damage to you is inevitable, it is better for your arm to get hurt than any other more vital parts. Generally, though, you don't need the slap.

You should practice both with and without the slap for Judo competitions and let your instinct tell you when to use the slap.

So relaxation in your breakfalls is vital, as is distributing the force of your fall over the widest possible area to minimize injury. But if you are going to compete in Judo, you should also learn to minimize the noise.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard

Judo Breakfalls - Falling With Confidence

A Quick summary of Judo Breakfalls and video

I am reluctant to give a full rundown of what Breakfalls are. As I have done that on my main site under "Break Falls - The Secret revealed". But I've come across some video that helps and so I wanted to revisit them here.

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The subheading of the video below is that breakfalls do not hurt. That is not completely true. At least not for all of us. I was in communication with a 7th Dan once an he was very pleased to announce that he found break falling very relaxing. That has never been my experience but I do find that I have very little fear of falling.

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I was once at an extended family event and I tripped. I rolled and stood up on my feet. I even kept my hat on. To my surprise, everybody ran up to me to ask about how I was, all expressing their admiration for how well I recovered. To which I laughed only because I enjoyed the attention. I was, of course, unhurt with not even a scratch or a bruise and I thought "that is judo for you".

Breakfalling on ice hurts I discovered the hard way but it was way better than the alternative. And I'm quite sure that the Judoka in the video would have felt that fall. But it is always impressive to see just how much punishment the human body can take with very little damage if it is done that correct way.

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard

Judo and Breakfall Stories - About Saved Live Number 5

More Judo and Breakfall Stories

Yet another mother came to me the other night very pleased saying "we know that he does the front break falls correctly now".

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Apparently one of my youngest students had decided that he would jump from the jungle frame. As do most, if not all 5 years old's he thought he was superman or whatever superhero is now popular. As he was falling according to him thought better of it did a front breakfall.

From his description, he was very calculated about it as we had been practising this particular break fall for several weeks beforehand and he was not getting it right. He spent a great deal of time, for a 5yo, outlining every detail of how he set himself up to fall as he was heading for the ground.

I am always amazed at how quickly the mind thinks when it in danger.

Interesting this child has had the front breakfall correct ever since.

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The whole thing must have been pretty impressive because the parents of this child have four boys and not only did the mother come to me to tell me about it but the father came to tell me about the incident the very next week.

Children of This Age Are Very Pliable

I suppose it could be said that children of this age are very pliable and may not have hurt himself anyway with such a fall. It probably could also be said, as I have often said that children tend to fall correctly as infants and they unlearn it as they get older. I think they unlearn it because we as an adult have such an adverse reaction to them falling they get frightened off it; but as I watched my own boys grow up and because I know how to fall I avoided teaching my boys to fall incorrectly. So much so that when they came to start Judo my Sensei was very impressed and asked if I had been teaching them how to fall. I said no I just had not taught them how not to fall.

Taking all this into account did better pliability and his youth have more to do with his good falling than his breakfall technique. I have no doubt that it did play a part but remember he did not have this break fall correct before he took this other fall and he thought it through as he was falling. It seems to me that his front breakfall had a lot to do with his being unharmed when he hit the ground.

You can see more stories about a breakfall saving lives here

Enjoy
    Sensai
        Richard

Judo and Breakfall Stories 4 - About Saved Live

More Breakfalls Save Live Stories

One of the parents of one of the littlest students that I have, entered the Dojo the other night with a declaration supported by great joy.

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"I have another story for your collection of stories on breakfalls that save lives", he said.

Apparently, my student was up on the farm of a friend and as was her won't, she went for a ride on the motorbike. She was well protected and was obeying all safety protocols. Well... most of them.

My littlest student then took up the story.

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"Yes Sensei," she said. "The bike had stopped and I stood up to have a stretch but the drive didn't realize that I had stood up and started the bike and I fell off the back.

Everybody came running saying 'are you all right are you all right'."

Her Father Then Took Up The Story

Her father then took up the story "then to every-bodies amusement she stood up, dusted herself off, got back on the bike and said 'what's wrong with everybody. I'm ok. I just did a back breakfall. Can we ride some more.'"

"She had just fallen off a moving motorbike, she could have been killed and didn't even blink."

I suppose it could be said that falling off the back of a motorbike is not necessarily life-threatening but people have been killed and I would have rather her known how to fall in that situation than not.

You can see more stories about a Breakfalls saving lives here

Enjoy
    Sensai
        Richard

Get Thrown: The Very Definition Of Good Judo

The Essence of Good Judo

He was "Thrown about all night and not even coming close to throwing the teacher and at the end of the night the teacher said 'you judo is good'."

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It would seem that good breakfalls are considered, in at least some parts of the Japanese judo world, to be just as good Judo as being a good competitor.

I remember reading an email from a judoka on a Judo list I was on, outlining the above. I spent a lot of time pondering this concept.

Everybody who reads this blog will know that I a have very high regard for breakfalls. But I do think that there is a lot in the Judo community, that would have trouble with the concept that break falling alone could be considered good judo, even if it is to a superior partner.

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For my part, I have never been convinced that Judo is about the throws or grappling. It's about much more than that. Judo is about self-development and how we respond to each other. Remember the two prime principles upon which Judo is built are:

Maximum efficiency for minimum effort and mutual welfare and benefit.

I think that breakfalls could be considered to be the epitomizes this.

Enjoy
    Sensai
        Richard

Judo and Breakfall Stories 3 - About Saved Live

A Breakfall Down Stairs

Falling downstairs is not recommended no matter what you think you know about how to do a Breakfall.

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I know we see stuntmen do it all the time on film. However it's not as if even they don't get injured occasionally when they do it, you just don't see that injury on film.

Still, that doesn't stop some people trying it even if it is unintentional.

One of the ladies from one of the self-defence groups, that I run only by request, told me of such an event in her life.

I met her and her friend, also a past student, in the food court of the local shopping centre and waved to them from a distance. I was immediately summoned over to their table with quite some excitement. For some reason, she wanted to show her bruises.

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The Joy To Which These Injuries Were Being Put On Display

I must confess to being quite concerned at the joy to which these injuries were being put on display. It would not have been the first time that I have counselled women to leave abusive situations. And it only added to my alarm when they told me that they had been obtained from falling downstairs.

But it turned out to be nothing of the sort. She had been in a loving relationship for many years and had fallen down the stairs when she slipped carrying he washing up the stairs.

She was only showing off her bruises to me because she had remembered something that I had taught her as she was falling. It was something that my own Sensei had taught me. It goes like this: "If you are round you roll if you are flat you go splat". Apparently, she recited it to herself as she was falling.

It just proves once again that proper falling technique saves lives.

Mind you I still don't recommend falling downstair to prove it.

You can see more stories about a breakfall saving lives here

Enjoy
    Sensai
        Richard

Judo Breakfall Stories 2 - About How They Saved Lives

How Judo Breakfalls Possibly Saved My Wife and Child

From time to time I conduct Self Defense courses for ladies. I only do this on request and there has to be more than one lady involved. I will not do private lessons for women. But I always wanted to teach my wife Judo Breakfalls.

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Some of the ladies from my church requested such a short course. My wife who was never keen on doing a course with me (the only person I would have done private lessons for) decided that she would also attend since she had some friends to do it with.

It was a very successful course and I was very pleased with the progress that had been made.

Sometime later, when my wife was carrying our fourth child in late-term, we had occasion to visit the Twelve Apostles. A very famous and popular tourist spot here in Victoria (Australia).

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On occasions however it can be extremely windy.

It was particularly windy on this day whilst we were viewing one of the massive sandstone monoliths and we had decided that we would retreat to the car for a while.

To this day we do not know whether the wind was a direct cause or if it was that the wind had created fatigue but I suddenly saw my wife heading for an almighty fall.

It's funny how even the smallest amount of training can help in a fall. I would not call what my wife did, the best break fall I have ever seen but what she did was far more effective than what she used to do.

Instead of putting her hands out directly in front of her like she was used to doing she rolled. Like I said it was not the best roll but it was more than sufficient to protect her and the baby.

Break falls save lives because they work.

You can see more stories about a breakfall saving lives here

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard

Judo and Breakfall Stories - About Saved Lives

A Breakfall Can Save Lives

Break falls can save your life. I have said before in my article "Break falls - How to fall and not get hurt". But I think that it is always worthwhile to tell more stories just to get the point across.

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The absolute number one story, the most unforgettable, potent, not to mention the one I am most grateful for, is the story of how my second son's life was almost certainly saved.

He was 8 years old. We were at a park and the boys had drifted off into the distance to play. They were off a little too far for comfort but I was also looking after an elderly lady who needed attention just at that moment so I had to attend to her before I chased them.

Just as I was heading off to call the boys back I was approached by a lady with this to say: "Now sir I don't want you to panic, he is alright, but your son has been hit by a car".

As I ran as fast as I could with my heart pounding and in a state of what I can only describe as controlled panic, I heard the lady reiterate "it's alright you don't need to panic". Afterwards, it occurred to me, it was probably a good thing but never-the-less futile to say.

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I was always going to have some degree of panic at that news but the comment "he's ok" does help. A little anyway. A very little but still a little.

When I arrived at the location of the accident I found my son sitting on the edge of the road a little shaken but as the lady had said he seemed fine. Which was amazing since all the bystanders told stories of my son going high up into the air before he hit the ground.

As I am trained in first aid I gave him a check over.

Children tend to look at you very strange when you are their father trying to determine if there is any head injury and out of necessity you ask "do you know your name".

It is a good sign when your child says "Why are you asking me that dad you know my name".

It doesn't help when bystanders hear you ask that same question and immediately want to confirm that you are the farther. It's disturbing just how few people have even the most basic knowledge of first aid and are therefore alarmed by the question.

It's also disturbing how quickly drivers in this situation immediately want to blame the person who they hit. Don't they know that when someone feels the need to play the blame game they only make themselves look suspicious?

My son may have given the driver no choice but it is my experience that if you are innocent you tend to be more concerned for the person you hit than yourself.

Determining that he was in good enough condition to take him to the hospital without the aid of an ambulance, my wife and I ( who took a lot longer to arrive as she was heavily pregnant with our fourth son) bundled my son into the car and took him to hospital.

The doctors were great but were also equally impressed by the lack of injury given the description of the accident. I asked my son what he did and he said that he "tried to do a forward roll break fall just like you taught me".

I replied that I think that he must have done a very good job because he only had scratches on him and a bit of shock.

Breakfalls save lives.

You can see more stories about a breakfast saving lives here

Enjoy
Sensai
Richard