breakfall

Breakfall is a technique used to safely absorb the impact of a fall, minimizing the chance of injury by distributing force through the body and keeping the head protected. The term combines the English verb break with fall, and in many martial arts it is taught as ukemi, the Japanese word for receiving or taking a fall. Breakfalls are essential in arts such as judo and aikido, and are also taught in other disciplines that involve falling or rolling.

A basic breakfall emphasizes three principles: relax the body to reduce tension, protect the head by tucking the chin and turning the back or side of the head away from the impact, and dissipate momentum through a controlled roll or slide. Common forms include forward breakfalls (mae ukemi), backward breakfalls (ushiro ukemi), and side breakfalls (yoko ukemi). Each form guides the practitioner to spread impact across larger surfaces and to roll or slide rather than strike with stiff joints.

Training typically proceeds on padded mats under supervision, starting with low-impact variations and gradually increasing speed and height. Proper alignment, breathing, and arm position are emphasized to prevent injuries to the wrists, shoulders, spine, and head.

In practice, breakfalls are taught across many martial arts and are also employed in stunt work, parkour, and fall safety programs. They provide a foundational safety skill that enables controlled movement, throws, and finger holds while reducing the risk of acute injury during falls.