How to Use Ushiro Ukemi in Aikido Martial Arts

Because Aikido is a martial art that is defensive rather than offensive, it is just as important to learn to fall or be thrown as it is to throw. The beginning of this journey is ushiro ukemi, which is a simple backward fall.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Kneel on one knee. Keep your back leg angled on the ground.

2. Keep your toes flexed rather than pressed against the mat. As the ushiro ukemi begins, your foot will naturally flatten against the ground.

3. Place your hands beside your thighs. Roll backward by sitting down on your back leg and throwing your front leg back over your head. As you fall backward, roll over your left shoulder.

4. Land on your back leg and finish the ushiro ukemi in Aikido martial arts by kneeling again on one knee.

Tips & Warnings

• From the more simple ushiro ukemi, you will learn standing backward rolls and break falls which are the building blocks of Aikido.

Resources

• Ralph Reyes explains the ushiro ukemi in Aikido Martial Arts.
• The University of Dublin has a helpful glossary.

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