How can I fall more safely?

Question

I've recently started sparring in a medieval combat game that uses padded weapons. I'm finding that I fall down a lot-- sometimes it's intentional, like when I'm dramatically falling 'dead' after someone 'kills' me, and sometimes it's not, like when someone heavier and taller than me knocks me to the ground. I'm afraid that I'm going to eventually hurt myself with these tumbles, espescially with the unplanned ones.

Are there any techniques I can learn to help me fall more safely, so I can minimize the chances of injury? I usually try to throw my hands out to catch myself, but I'm not certain if this helps any.

Answer 1

sounds like you are LARPing with the SCA,

congratulations you have become an official "butt taper" (not to insinuate that you are a homosexual, but that the sca considers a light reacharound strike to the butt a fatal strike).

1- if you are dramatically falling then you are acting, and you are trying to do so in a manner that looks like you are really dead the best bet is to do it where you avoid falling in certain areas. don't know how real you can make it look but I know that real dead people don't care how they fall because they are dead.

avoid falling directly on your butt, fall a bit to the side not on your hip though. shoulder is risky, don't fall directly on it. mabye break it with a more controlled fall.

because there is a dramatic aspect a judo breakfall wouldn't work.

I would just say practice some on grass and see what works for you.

any "minimizing" techniques are not going to look like you are dying. Judo breakfalls and shoulder rolls might work but not look like drama. maybe the theater kids have better tips.

Answer 2

First advice, take some judo lessons... In a few lessons youll have the basics.

When falling to the front you can do 3 things.
Catch yourself with your arms. This contains the risk of braking wrists..
Roll (Judo provides a good technique)
Stretch as long as possible. It will spread the impact.

When falling backwards:
Keep your chin to your chest (otherwise youll feel like a set of drums)
Try to land on the side of your back (If not, you'll need a few minutes to fill your lungs again)
Dont be afraid to really fall on your back. If your butt or hand reaches the ground first something might brake quite painfully...

Answer 3

The best technique that never let me down even when I fell in a cementer field while playing volleyball is hitting your hand to the floor before you land that way your hand drains the damage and not your back or any other critical place, also helps to fall more realistically and not hurt at all. The same applies if u use the leg but its a bit harder to do...

Learned from Jujitsu classes :o)

Answer 4

If it's a dramatic d3ath as you say, try dropping on one or both knees first while letting out a loud d3ath scream, then slowly keel over and play d3ad. That should minimize injuries due to the lower height. You can even stagger a bit before dropping to your knees for more dramatic effect.

Answer 5

I wouldn't recommending putting your hands out, if you hit the ground wrong you could hurt your wrist or worse.

I'd recommend if you are falling forward, turn so that when you hit you roll onto you back. If you are falling backwards, try to roll onto the ground and not let your body just smack into it.

You may want to look into something called "break-falling".

Answer 6

fall on ur shoulder and it will cause the least pain. when falling backwards, the point is to release the energy going down quickly so u slap both of ur arms down til u hear a slap to break the fall.

Answer 7

use judo breakfalls

1)front-land on ur hands flat and turn ur face to the side so u don't break ur nose

2)back-land on ur lower back and land ur hands behind ur back

3)side-land on ur ribs and land on ur hands

it works belive me lol...hope it helps

Answer 8

http://www.judoinfo.com/lee.htm
I hope this helps you.