How to Use Ninjutsu Roll Techniques

From the Japanese martial art of shinobi, come today's ninjas, students of ninjutsu, seen by outsiders as a sect of highly-trained assassins. The reality, although not as mysterious, is that the ninjutsu are quite adept at hand-to-hand combat. Rolling techniques comprise a large part of a ninjutsu student's training.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Break the impact of a fall by rolling out in a safe way. Ninjutsu rolls enable the student to absorb the shock of hitting the ground by making contact in a controlled manner.

2. Begin by going through the roll movements in slow motion to perfect the technique.

3. Squat down, knees out and hold your hands in front of you so your thumbs touch and your index fingers touch. When placed flat on the floor, your hands will form a diamond pattern. Use this every time you roll forward because it puts your wrists and elbows in a safe position to prevent injury.

4. Place your hands, still in the diamond position on the floor, and bend your head to one side. Your head will not make contact with the ground; by holding it to one side as you tuck, your upper spine, just below the neck, will support the beginning of your roll.

5. Roll forward smoothly making contact with your upper back and following through by placing both of your feet squarely on the floor. To do this, you will need to spread your knees slightly but keep your feet in front of you.

6. Hold your arms forward and upward, never allowing them to make contact with the floor at the end of your roll. The momentum of your roll will provide the force that allows you to stand easily. Keeping your hands free allows you to respond to an attack at the end of your roll or draw a weapon during your roll.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice until you can roll smoothly, coming up easily. Roll techniques, once mastered, will come naturally.
• Add a dive to the beginning of your roll. Start by diving over low objects, such as another student on his hands and knees and advance to higher objects as you become proficient.

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