Backwards roll trouble?

Question

I've been doing staf fighting for about a year now and I'm struggeling on one thing - a backwards roll. I've been told before that you always roll on your shoulder - which I think I do but the problem is when I land. I always end up landing on my knees - which gets them full of painful bruises every week!

Does anybody have any idea what the problem is and how the hell do I do a backwards roll probably???

(Also I keep getting bruises from rolling on my shoulder too and can't land with my hands on the ground since they'll then also get bruises - I just have to land on my feet.)

Answer 1

Pointers to try out...

1) When you are going to do the role, bend your knees and sit down so your bum lands where your ankes were. Keep your chin tucked in to your chest during the roll.

2) Put your ear to one of your shoulders just before the role. Bring your knees (which should be stuck to each other like glue) toward your opposite ear. This should stop you rolling over your shoulder blades.

If you keep your knees tucked close in this will result in a fast role. If you push one leg out after the knees have past the head, the role will slow down, and you will end up standing with one leg in front of the other.

Key points.
*Sit on one's own ankles to ensure tight role
*Chin tucked into chest
*Head to one side during role, knees through the gap.

Answer 2

Hi there Bumble custard

Like the name by the way!

Still having problems with those rolls? They can be tricky little buggers to master.

Its all about practise and doing them slowly and softly to start with. Just keep yourself compact when you do them and keep everything tucked in. When doing your front rolls roll down the inside of your arm. Start in a crouching position and place your hand on the floor facing inwards then roll over your arm starting from the wrist moving up your arm, past your elbow then over your shoulder. And look over the opposite shoulder you are rolling to keep your head and neck safe.

The arm acts as a guide to cushion the impact as your body meets the floor. The movement is similar to a low somersault. The hand acts as a rudder to direct the roll. You will find if you change the angle the direction of your roll will change.

Do the forward roll slowly and make sure you roll down and over your arm before your shoulder meet the ground. This will help remove the bruises.lol

Its just practise. I remember coming home from training with bruised elbows and knees when i first started training.

Ask your instructor to break them down for you and always train safely.

You can perform both front, backwards and side rolls with the bo and jo staff as well as a samurai sword and other weapons too.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 3

The reason why you are not backrolling is because the legs need to be straight or some what straight. The two foot lands on the ground not the knees. If you still get hurt, find a nice soft place to practice (bed, beach, etc). If you still can't do it, don't force yourself. Do some else like forward roll, side flip, triple kick.

Not everyone is meant to roll.

Answer 4

Everyone above has given you good advice. I just like to add one more advice. Breathe properly, I remember when I first started practicing my mae ukemi, I had trouble getting back up on my feet after rolling backwards no matter how hard I pushed off the mat. I later realized I was holding my breath, which made my body tense and therefore inflexible, by learning to inhale while rolling then exhaling when pushing off the ground, I was able to overcome this problem. Just keep practicing to establish a good breathing rhythm, you'll be able to get the timing right after countess repetitions.

Answer 5

Actually most people land on their knees when doing a backwards roll without any problems so I don’t understand how you could get such bad bruises from it but any ways here’s some pointers.
1 perfect your technique This might sound ridiculous but is quite important. In most MA you are taught to roll over the back and go from one shoulder to the other. I suppose that’s what you want to learn. To start I’d suggest leaving your staff to the side and trying to roll empty handed. Best way to perfect your falling technique is to start without momentum. Sit down on your bum and try to roll. You’ll soon find that it’s impossible to roll if you are not doing it correctly.
2 You need to be round to roll. Basic physics that many MA practicioners forget. Many people cramp up during a roll and thus cause themselves not to be round. Angles can not roll. You need to be a ball for this you need to relax and for this see point 1.
3 Momentum good rolling needs momentum to speed yourself up to do a nice big roll best way to do this is to push yourself out with your foot. Many people tend to sweep themselves down with the side of their foot, it’s a lot better to keep your sole flat on the ground and push along with the fall.
4 Lift if you want to land on your feet you’ll need lift. While rolling over your shoulder try to stretch your back upwards thus lifting your feet further up. If you do a good roll like this you’ll almost automatically land on your feet.

Answer 6

Well without actually being there with you to watch you demonstrate it makes it rather difficult to help correct your problem, all i can do is guess at best as could others. Seeing you do it would make a whole lot of difference to me.

From what I can tell you need to keep curled up more and actually spring back to your feet from your shoulder roll pushing off with your hands so you are putting less pressure on the shoulder and on your knees. this will allow you to spring up to your feet easier....this will only work for you if i got your problem understood right.

good luck.

Answer 7

I think you are referring to a back roll extension and there are some things you can do to build yourself up for doing this. Doing traditional push ups and push ups with your feet raised slightly behind you will help build your arms and shoulders so that you can take more of the weight on them as you roll back. Also practice doing cart wheels and round offs will help develop your strength in those areas as well as the flexibility in your lower back.

As you roll straight back you have to put your hands down and then push up with them, your wrists and arms so that as you roll back you literally lift yourself up and don't roll across the back of your head and neck on the mat. If you can do this and land on your knees then you are half way there. To actually do this you have to push with your arms, wrists, shoulders and hands explosively and at the same time point your toes and first straighten your legs and then bend at the waist and pull your feet in so that your feet come in underneath you a slight distance behind your hands. As you are pushing yourself up and standing up you may fall foward if you can't make it over far enough.

You can also try this on a folded mat with spotters on each side and you rolling the width of the mat and as your feet reach out and down to the floor below at the end of the mat it will force them and your body down and over and stand up. Once you can do it like that take a fold out of the mat so that the distance is less from the top of the mat that you are rolling on to the floor you are landing on. This can also help give you the timing and arm and shoulder strength that it will take to do this on a flat mat.

Answer 8

So you already have an instructor? You are in a dojo or school? I hope so. Today I am busy; it's my gf's b-day. But for now, try to have a safe place to practice. Don't be afraid. Let your mind's eye guide you in what your instructor has already shown you. First contact should be with your upper back and shoulders. Then take it from there. Be careful not to hurt your neck. Remember, safety always. Make sure you have nothing in the way that could hurt you. Or children or pets you could hurt while practicing. Thanks = Shamaneo (in Korean)

Answer 9

i had the same problem... it took me a while but i realized that when you land on your knees if you just continue moving you will land on your feet, dont let the motion stop.

Answer 10

Relax into it and if I can ask what part of staff work is that in? Asking cause I don't know and am interested in learning staff katas, etc., thanks