Forward Roll
Kent Ninomiya
The 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 forward roll with some training.
Prepare for the roll by moving into a ready stance: one leg forward, knees bent and arms relaxed in front of you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Backward Roll
Kent Ninomiya
The backward roll enables the martial artist to absorb the momentum of being forced backward and spring up to a ready position instantly without getting hurt. It requires a minimum of effort but perfect technique. People both large and small can perform the backward roll with a some training.
Stand in a comfortable ready stance with one leg forward and both knees bent. Your arms should be relaxed and in front of you.
Fold your rear leg behind your front leg and fall backward as if you were sitting down. The placement of your folding leg is important because it will help bounce you up later. Protect your head and neck by pressing your chin to your chest. When rolling backward your head is in great danger of bouncing off the pavement. Tucking your neck keeps your head from wobbling around as you roll.
Roll backward along a diagonal line across your back. This is the most important part of the technique. Imagine a line drawn from the hip of your folding leg diagonally across your back to the opposite shoulder. That is the line you will roll along. Your body should be an arc extending from your hip, across your back, to your shoulder. Imagine that you are a ball rolling on the ground. If you extend any hard edges like a hip or shoulder you will hurt yourself.
Reach both hands over the shoulder opposite your folding leg. This is the shoulder at the end of that diagonal line. Your backward momentum will push you back onto your shoulder. You wont have to search for the ground. It will find your hands if they are in the right position.
Push up and shoot your legs into the air when you feel the ground with your hands. The momentum from your backward roll, the push from your hands and the kick of your feet will all combine to bounce you up to your feet again. This does not require strength. It is a matter of technique and timing. If you relax and let the force of your fall work for you then the backward roll will be somewhat effortless.
Return to the ready stance. When you complete your roll you will notice that your feet are in the exact same position that they were when you started. That's the beauty of this technique. You have literally come full circle.
Forward Fall
Kent Ninomiya
The forward fall allows the martial artist to fly through the air and land safely face down after being knocked suddenly from their feet by a force behind them. This can be anything from a push from another person to the momentum of tripping over a step. Follow these helpful steps to show you how to safely dissipate the forces of falling that would ordinarily injure a human body.
Start from a standing position with your arms in front of you. You will use them to absorb most of the impact of falling forward. When you first attempt the forward fall you should start on your knees and slowly lean forward to fall. As you improve your technique you can rise to your feet then later jump into the air from increasing heights.
As you are falling forward thrust your feet outward and your rear end into the air. Yes this looks funny but it is very important. When you fall you must protect the fragile parts of your body that can break. Bones like the hips will snap like twigs when impacting concrete. You must get your hips off the ground at the moment of impact. At the same time turn your head to one side. You could break your nose or teeth if your face bounces off the pavement.
Your arms will save the rest of your body. Not your elbow, wrists or fingers--they will break just as easily as any other bone in 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 wrists, they would probably shatter. However that same impact is harmless if spread out along your forearms, hands and feet. If you followed the last tip then you are now falling forward with your rear end pointed in the air. This is raising your hips off the ground. Reach out and simultaneously slap the floor with both arms and hands. They should impact the ground from elbow to fingertip at the same time. Your hands should land beneath your head angled at 45-degree angles inward toward the line of your body. It will look like a triangle with your forearms and an imaginary line between your elbows. Do not reach down and try to stop falling by holding your arm down straight. This will snap your forearms in two.
At the same time your forearms slap the ground the balls of both feet should also land. There should be a triangle formed by the balls of both feet and your two hands beneath your head. Your rear end should also be pointed in the air making you look like a pyramid. This stance spreads the impact of the fall along a wide area. You may look ridiculous but you wont have any broken bones.
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 will let out a yell called a “kyup.” This takes the jolt out of any impact.
Ultimately
the forward fall is a timing move where everything needs to
happen at once. Remember, once you are falling forward you must protect
your vital regions and break your fall with your non-vital regions.
In summary:* Shoot your rear end into the air to get your hips off the ground and turn your head to the side to protect your pretty face. * Slap the floor with both arms flat at 45-degree angles inward from the line of your body while the balls of both feet land on the pavement. * Let out an abdomen tightening yell as you land. * Impact the ground looking like a pyramid. Your hands and the balls of the feet should be three points of a triangle and your rear end should be the apex of the pyramid. If you do it right you will bounce right back up without a scratch or bruise.
Backward Fall
Kent Ninomiya
The 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Remember,
once you are falling backward you must protect your vital regions and
break your fall with your non vital regions. Ultimately the 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.
The Side Kick Defense is an effective way to neutralize an opponent attacking you with a side kick. It requires perfect timing and commitment to the technique. This is not a move for beginners. When performed correctly the hapkido side kick defense allows you to put your opponent on the ground in a vulnerable position.
Stand in a fighting stance. Feet should be shoulder width apart with one leg a step ahead of the other. Arms should be in front of you preparing to receive the side kick.
Look for cues that a side kick is coming. Your opponent must either turn their hip or side step to throw a side kick. You must react the instant you notice your opponent setting up for a side kick. The hapkido side kick defense must be done at the same time a side kick is thrown.
Slide your body forward and to the side when you see a side kick coming. The idea is to "slip" the kick. Your opponent will be coming toward you with their side kick. Make them miss by sliding slightly to the side and toward them at the same time. It is very important that you are facing your opponent's kicking leg when you do this. The leg should be right in front of you when you complete your slide.
Grab your opponent's kicking leg with both arms. Their side kick should be fully extended and easy to grab. The best grip is with one arm over the leg and the other arm under the leg. If you can't do this then a double under grip will do. Pull the leg tight to your chest.
Sweep your opponent's plant leg with your forward leg. Do this with a motion from front to back impacting your opponent at their ankle. Hold their leg tight as they fall. If you are inside your opponent's kick the sweep will knock them on their back. If you are outside your opponent's kick the sweep will knock them on their face. Either way they are in a vulnerable position. Step on your opponent to finish them off.
The hapkido side kick defense is an advanced technique and should only be practiced by experienced martial artists under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
The scissor throw is an effective way to take down an opponent. It is also a spectacular looking technique when thrown properly. It involves cutting your opponent down by "scissoring" them between your legs while you fly through the air. It is best thrown when you are standing side by side with your opponent.
Stand side by side with your opponent. You should be about two feet apart, shoulder to shoulder and facing the same direction.
Grab your opponent's shoulder with the hand closest to them. It is sometimes easier to grasp the material of their shirt or "gi" on top of their shoulder.
Jump up into the air and toward your opponent. Shoot the leg that is closer to your opponent in front of their body about waist high. Shoot the leg that is farther from your opponent behind their body behind their knees. This is the "scissor" of the scissor throw. Your legs must straddle your opponent's body simultaneously. This is best achieved by pulling yourself toward them with the hand grabbing their shoulder while you are in midair.
Scissor your opponent by kicking forward with the leg behind them and backward with the leg in front of them. This must happen at the same time. Imagine rolling your body toward your opponent's back. The kicks will happen naturally. Since one leg is behind your opponent's knees and the other is at their waist, you are essentially "cutting" them down with your scissor throw.
Keep rolling our body toward your opponent's back until they fall flat on their back. You have taken them down but are still tangled together. Your opponent's body is between your legs. If this is part of a martial arts exercise then you can just get up. If you are in a combat situation then it is essential to follow up the scissor throw with a "finish off" maneuver. A solid heel kick to the solar plexus of your opponent with your top leg works nicely.
The scissor throw is best used when your opponent is maneuvering next to you. It is easy to quickly jump up and take them down if you are in the right position. Do not try to do the hapkido scissor throw if you are not right next to your opponent.
The scissor throw requires a great deal of practice for both people involved. The person being thrown must know how to fall backwards so they wont get hurt. The greatest danger is slamming the back of their head on the ground. The person throwing the hapkido scissor kick must also break their fall when they land. Always practice on soft mats under the supervision of a qualified martial arts instructor.
Sacrifice Throw
The sacrifice throw is a bold move to take down an opponent by taking yourself down. It involves pulling your opponent to the ground as you fall backwards then kicking them over the top of you while you are on your back. You can then propel your opponent over your head and transition into a "ground and pound." The hapkido sacrifice throw requires timing, confidence and perfect technique.
Grab your opponent firmly by both lapels. This is important since you will be pulling them down with your arms. If you have a loose grip or their clothing tears you will not be able to bring them down. Be sure your grip is solid.
Put one of your feet on the inside of your opponent's hip. This should be about midway between their hip bone and groin. Make sure your foot is planted their solidly since that is the foot you will use to push your opponent off of you.
Sit down and pull your opponent down with you. Since your foot is planted in their hip they wont be able to fall on top of you. Instead they will bend at the hip, lose balance and fall forward.
Kick your opponent straight up when you feel their weight shift to your foot. You must do this as part of your roll backwards. The momentum generated by sitting down and pulling your opponent with you will drive them forward. By kicking your opponent upward they will fly up and over you.
Use the momentum and continue to roll backwards. Once your opponent hits the ground over your head, kick your legs backward over your head while continuing to hold on with your arms. This will help you complete you backward roll. You will end up sitting on your opponent's chest.
Finish off your opponent with a ground and pound. This is the basic playground fight scenario. You are sitting on your opponent with his arms beneath your knees. He is helpless.
Timing is key when performing the Hapkido sacrifice throw. You must be like a wheel rolling down hill. When you pull your opponent down you must keep rolling backwards. This makes kicking them over your head and rolling on top of them easy. If you stop your momentum your opponent will land right on top of you and you will be in trouble.
Be sure you know how to do a backward roll and your partner knows how to fall before practicing this technique. Also try to practice with someone about your size. Doing it on a mat or other soft surface will decrease the number of bruises you get.
The throw from a front punch is an advanced technique that allows a martial artist to use the momentum of their opponent's punch against them. It requires perfect timing and technique. It should therefore only be performed in real life situations by advanced martial artists after plenty of practice. In these steps we will assume your opponent is punching with their right hand. If they punch with their left hand reverse the directions.
Stand in a ready position. Your feet should be shoulder width apart with your left foot one step ahead of the right. Bounce lightly on the balls of your feet. You will need to be fast on your feet to perform the throw. Hold your arms in front of you relaxed and ready for defense.
Look for signs that your opponent is about to throw a front punch. Most fighters have a predictable pattern of behavior. They set up big strikes with preliminary distractions. This can be a jab, a tap of their foot, holding their breath, or just about anything. Watch for these cues. In order to do a Hapkido throw from a front punch your opponent must commit to a full force forward punch. Advanced martial artists can "bait" their opponent into throwing a front punch. They leave their face exposed inviting their opponent to take advantage of the opening. Only do this if you are extremely confident in your ability to avoid the punch you are inviting.
Step forward with your right foot as your opponent punches. As you do this block their punching arm with your left hand near their wrist. The step and block should happen simultaneously. You are now turning inside your opponent's punch. Grab your opponent's sleeve or arm once you blocked the punch.
Keep turning toward your opponent's punch as your left foot follows your right. Both feet should end up in front of and between your opponent's feet. Your heels and back will face your opponent. Wrap your right arm under and around your opponent's punching arm. You should be close enough to your opponent that you are grabbing them under the shoulder. Your left hand should still be holding the punching arm near the wrist.
Bend your knees so that your hips are lower than your opponent's knees. Keep turning in the same direction as you pop your hips up and bend at the waist. Pull your opponent with both hands down and away as you pop them up. It is important to keep turning throughout this technique. Your opponent's momentum from their front punch will propel them over the top. All you have to do is get in front of him and help him over. Your opponent will land flat on their back.
Only practice this technique with qualified martial artists. You must know how to fall without getting hurt.
The hip throw is one of the basic techniques in the martial arts. It is one of the first throws taught to Hapkido students. Hapkido incorporates elements from several different martial arts. As a result, you may find the Hapkido hip throw similar to hip throws in judo. In both techniques the martial artist uses leverage, hip strength and superior relative balance to throw an opponent.
Grasp your opponent in a standard throwing grip. Face each other. Your right hand grabs your opponent's lapel. Your left hand grabs the material beneath your opponent's right arm just above the elbow.
Push and pull your opponent off balance at the same time. This is a basic principle of martial arts throws. Push your opponent straight back with the hand grasping their lapel while you pull your opponent with the hand grasping their sleeve. This doubles your ability to throw your opponent off balance. The push-pull is similar to the motion of turning a steering wheel.
Leap inside your opponent's guard. Now that your opponent is off balance it is time to get in position for the throw. Keep your hands grasped on your opponent. Turn to your left so that both your feet are between your opponent's feet with you heels pointed toward him. Bend your knees so that your hips are lower than your opponent's hips. Keep pulling with your left hand while you bend your right arm. Bring your right hand up to your right shoulder as you turn around. You should now be pressed against your opponent with your back to him.
Propel your opponent into the air by straightening your legs and bending at the waist. Since your hips are below your opponent's hips it is simple to lift them. This is true even if your opponent is significantly bigger and taller that you. In fact, it is easier to throw a taller person. Try to pop your opponent into the air as you straighten your legs.
Keep pulling your opponent's arm with your left hand. Once you feel your opponent flying through the air, pull their arm down and away continuing in the direction of your spin. When you feel your opponent flipping over your back, straighten your right arm. This pushes them away from you so you can maintain your balance. Your opponent will land flat on their back.
The hip throw is about technique not strength. If you try to muscle your opponent over with brute strength you may hurt yourself. If you push and pull your opponent off balance and get your hips under theirs, flipping them is easy.
