Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Why We Learn Falls and Rolls We Do - - Chief Instructor's Blog November 2011

Falls and rolls are not considered part of Han Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do. Mr. Kim was convinced by the founding fathers to train students in falls and rolls for safety reasons. Mr. Kim would say “Just don’t fall”. However, in sparring or self-defense situations, a fall may occur when one is thrown, or a leg is grabbed when a kick is not retracted quickly enough, and therefore it is important to teach students to fall correctly so they will not get hurt. The falls and rolls taught in the club are a few of the basics types of falls and rolls and are a combination of what is traditionally taught in Aikido and Judo.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both Judo and Aikido falls and rolls. Judo falls and rolls are designed to take harder, more uncontrolled falls, and minimize impact to the arms, legs, and head. One of the main objectives of Judo falls and rolls is to stop all momentum. If one were flying off a motorcycle at 30 miles per hour, a person would reduce their chances of injury if they performed a Judo fall or roll. Judo falls and rolls are harder to teach, harder to learn and become more proficient at. Those practicing Judo typically practice falls and rolls 90-100 times a night several nights a week to become proficient. Aikido falls and rolls are designed more to guide your body and softly and safety land and return to one’s feet while minimizing impact to the arms, legs, and head. One of the objectives of Aikido falls and rolls is to go with the momentum and continue with it. They are typically easier to teach and initially learn.

Since the main purpose in the Han Moo Kwan Club is to keep students safe in class and falls and rolls are practiced minimally, what is taught in our club is a combination of the two to take the aspect of each that keeps students safe in class while being able to apply aspects that integrate better with Han Moo Kwan. What is taught is also just a few of the basics types of falls and rolls which we consider the most likely to be used or can be used instead of another type of fall or roll. For example, we do not teach back rolls, since a back fall could be used in the situation. Initially we teach the Aikido style to the new students since it is easier to learn. Later we introduce the Judo style to more advanced students.

For example, the leg tuck as one returns to a sitting position, is Aikido style. Judo pikes the legs at impact. Some of the pros of the leg cross from a Han Moo Kwan perspective include but is not limited to (1) The leg tuck promotes more leg strength which can support learning and being more proficient in kicks and cat stance; (2) allows one to return to one’s feet more quickly; and (3) allow one to use the legs while on the ground. However, the leg tuck could cause more injury in a hard fall (slamming the ankle to the ground, etc), so learning the Judo style in this case would cause less injury.

Again, there are benefits to both styles and by learning both you can keep yourself safe in situations (in class and outside of class) if you fall or are thrown.

Regards,
Kelly

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." - Japanese Proverb