Fall on Cue: Back and Side Breakfalls After a Gentle Push

A review of back (ushiro ukemi) and side (yoko ukemi) breakfalls that ends with falls triggered by a partner's gentle, announced push. Students practice reacting safely to a real loss of balance and building trust.

How to play

1. Ushiro ukemi from sitting: chin to chest, roll back, and the arms slap the mat at about 45 degrees from the body (5 min).
2. Same move from a squat, lowering the hips toward the heels before rolling back (5 min).
3. Yoko ukemi from a squat: one leg sweeps across in front, fall to that side and slap with that arm (5 min).
4. The partner asks "Ready?" and after a yes gives a gentle push on the shoulders of the squatting student so they fall back (5 min).
5. The partner calls "back" or "side" before pushing and the faller answers with the right breakfall; switch every five falls (5 min).

Rules

• No push without asking and getting a yes.
• Push with open hands on the shoulders, never the face or chest.
• Pushed falls are done from a squat only, never standing.
• The pusher stays put to help the partner up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the partner points the direction before pushing.
• Back injury: side falls from sitting only.
• Hesitant students: choose their partner and can be the observer in the last phase.

Learning goals

• Fall back and to the side while protecting the head.
• React to a loss of balance with the right breakfall.
• Build trust with a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 15

Teacher tip

Pair students of similar size and space the mats well. The usual mistake is putting the hands behind to brake: the slap goes beside the body, not behind it.

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