How to Do a Hapkido Backward Fall

The Hapkido Backward Fall allows the martial artist to land safely on his back after being knocked suddenly from his feet by a force in front of him. This can be anything from a push from another person to the momentum of walking backward and tripping over a rock. We will show you how to safely dissipate the forces of falling that would ordinarily injure a human body.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

How to Do a Hapkido Backward Fall

1. 
   Prepare for the Hapkido Backward Fall

   Cross your arms in front of you in a standing position. You will use them to absorb most of the impact of falling backward. When you first attempt the Hapkido Backward Fall you should squat down until you are nearly sitting before falling backward. As you improve your technique you can fall from higher and higher starting positions. For now squat down and start leaning back on your heals.

2. 
   Protect Your Hips and Head

   Kick your legs upward as you fall backward. This is important. When you fall you must protect the fragile parts of your body that can break. Bones like the hips and tail bone will snap like twigs on impact with a very hard surface. You must get your hips off the ground at the moment of impact. At the same time press your chin to your chest. Fatal injuries can occur if your head bounces off the ground. Tucking your neck protects your noggin from smacking into the pavement. This is very important to remember.

3. 
   Slap the Ground at a 45 Degree Angle

   Reach out and simultaneously slap the floor with both arms and hands. They should impact the ground from elbow to fingertips at the same time at a 45 degree angle to your body. Landing safely requires that the force of your fall be dissipated by as wide a surface area as possible. If your entire body weight came down on your elbow it would probably shatter. However that same impact is harmless if spread out along your forearms, hands and upper back. Do not reach down and try to stop falling by holding your arm down straight. This will snap your forearms in two.

4. 
   Yell on Impact!

   Let out a yell and tighten your stomach muscles as you land. If you do not prepare yourself for the impact of the fall you will likely have the wind knocked out of you. This is a rather unpleasant experience. To avoid this you must tighten your abdomen and let the air out of your lungs. Martial artists call this a “kyup.” It takes the jolt out of any impact.

5. 
   Use Perfect Form

   Remember, once you are falling backward you must protect your vital regions and break your fall with your non vital regions. Ultimately the Hapkido Backward Fall is a timing move. Everything needs to happen at once. Let’s review: Kick your legs in the air to get your hips off the ground and press your chin to your chest to protect your head. Then slap the floor with both arms flat at 45 degree angles to your body while letting out an abdomen tightening yell. You should impact the ground on your arms and upper back. If you do it right you will bounce right back up without a scratch or bruise.

Tips & Warnings

• The Hapkido Backward Fall requires confidence. If you are afraid to fall backwards 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 wont 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 Roll
• Hapkido Backward Roll
• Hapkido Hip Throws
• Hapkido Wrist Stretches
• Hapkido Techniques
• Hapkido Forward Fall

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