Knowing how to fall safely is a fundamental skill in close contact sports such as fighting, in street fights, but even if you are simply a bit clumsy and tend to stumble often.
Steps
Step 1. Lift your head
This is the part of the body that primarily should not get hurt. You must prevent it from coming into contact with the ground, especially if you are falling on a hard surface such as asphalt. A bruise on the arms is better than a brain hematoma.
- It may be useful to get into the habit of protecting your head with one hand when you are falling. By doing so, you prevent too much of a violent impact that would cause you to lose consciousness.
- Alternatively, lower your chin towards your chest, fix your belt (so your head doesn't hit the ground when you fall backwards).
- If you are about to fall forward, look left or right (so your face / nose doesn't hit the ground). But rotate the head just a little. If your head hits the ground while you are looking all the way to the side, you could seriously injure your neck.
- If you are realizing that you are losing consciousness and that you will fall in front of other people (for example, you are prone to seizures or fainting), you can do some research online to understand how to control the fall.
Step 2. Slam your palms on the ground if you fall forward
Make sure you rest your hand completely. This is a one-second movement that allows you to slow down a bit without breaking your wrists (you can also read this article). This obviously doesn't mean completely absorbing your weight as if you were a spring.
- You can use the same trick if you fall to the side (right hand for the right side and vice versa). ** Note: do not perform this movement with the back of your hands, always use the palm or the edge; otherwise, you will break your wrists.
- Don't lock your elbows.
Step 3. Exhale
Many people will tell you to try to empty the lungs as much as possible to stiffen the body "to absorb the impact". However, it is much more likely that you will get hurt if the body is contracted. On the contrary, he exhales normally no more and no less than necessary. In this way the body will be flexible and relaxed, greatly reducing the risk of injury. If you find yourself involved in a fight, this technique is very important (read How to Take a Punch). If someone hits you in the stomach, try to exhale just before impact so the air found in the lungs will not be expelled violently.
Step 4. Bend over like an accordion
Bend your ankles first, then your knees, and finally your hips. Close the body on itself, so you decrease the height from which you will fall. Try to imagine: you are 1.80m tall. What is better? Topple over and risk hitting your head from 1.80m high or bend over and risk the same thing but from 60cm?
Step 5. If you fall from above, roll as soon as you hit the ground
This distributes the force of the impact over the whole body instead of just in one point.
If you fall backwards, try to bend your knees as if you were doing a squat before falling. Curve your back and roll. Do not try to stop the fall with your arms, do some research to understand the right back flip technique
Step 6. Practice falling on a soft surface (such as a mattress)
In this way your body will learn the right movements that will become automatic.
Advice
- If someone is attacking you, it is important that you get up off the ground as soon as possible. As soon as you have absorbed the fall, get back on your feet!
- Try to follow the inertia of the fall. If you are experienced enough you can do a flip back to get back on your feet immediately.
- If you fall while hiking, try to land on your backpack. Therefore a pirouette is necessary if you are losing balance forward.
