How to Do a Hapkido Forward Roll

The hapkido forward roll enables the martial artist to fly through the air, break their fall, then bounce back up again without getting hurt. It requires a minimum of effort but perfect technique. People both large and small can perform the hapkido forward roll with some training.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 
   Ready Stance

   Prepare for the roll by moving into a ready stance: one leg forward, knees bent and arms relaxed in front of you.

2. 
   Roll Around the Outer Edge of Your Lead Arm

   Launch yourself forward into the air from your front leg. Reach out with your lead arm for the ground. You should touch the ground first with the outer edge of your lead hand. Protect your head and neck by bringing your chin to your chest and turning away from your lead arm.

3. 
   Roll Diagonally Across Your Back

   Imagine a line drawn from your leading shoulder diagonally across your back to your trailing hip. That is the line you will roll along the ground on. Your body should be an arc extending from the outside edge of your leading hand, around the outside of your arm, then diagonally across your back. Imagine that you are a ball rolling on the ground. If you extend any hard edges like an elbow or a shoulder you will hurt yourself.

4. 
   Tuck Your Trailing Leg Under You As You Roll

   While you are in mid-roll bend your trailing leg behind you so that your foot is behind your lead leg's knee. This will help you spring back to your feet as you complete your roll. When your legs contact the ground straighten your trailing leg. This is instinctive so you probably won't need to think about it.

5. 
   Let Your Trailing Leg and Momentum Bounce You Up

   Standing up again is a matter of momentum. If you rolled like a ball then very little of your forward momentum will be lost. Allow yourself to come to your feet naturally. Straightening your trailing leg provides you with that last little push. When you complete your roll you will notice that your feet are in the exact same position that they were when you started.

Tips & Warnings

• The hapkido forward roll requires confidence. If you are afraid to go head over heels then you will hesitate and hurt yourself. Commitment to the move is essential. Practice slowly at first with a partner on a soft surface. Once you realize that you won't be injured if you do it correctly you can move up to harder surfaces like grass.
• Take it slow. Martial artists practice years to perfect this technique.
• There is risk of injury with any martial arts technique. No move should be attempted without proper training and adequate supervision by a qualified professional.
• Always guard your head, neck and vital organs from injury.
• Take all reasonable precautions.
• Don't attempt any technique alone.

Resources

• Punch and Kick .com
• Hapkido Forward Fall
• Hapkido Backward Fall
• Hapkido Hip Throws
• Hapkido Wrist Stretches
• Hapkido Techniques
• Hapkido Backward Roll

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