Aikido Breakfalls

Aikido Ukemi (breakfalls) are similar to those in Judo. At all times they should be soft, and your body should be kept like a ball. But unlike Judo at no time should one hit the mat with your hand in order to soften the shock. In Judo, we argue that if you find it necessary to use Ukemi in the street softening the blow by hitting the ground with your arm, you will only succeed in hurting your arm. In Aikido we learn to roll when thrown so as to recover on one's feet.