Uke

There is such a thing as sloppy ukemi. I've seen it, and I've seen people get hurt because they they too thought that they had their ukemi close enough to what was expected, but it eventually became clear to them that they didn't.

I also wanted to mention something to you, Hardball. I used to feel the same way about flying ukemi. I loved it because it looked cool and was great for doing stunts or falling from heights, but I thought it was for show too. It wasn't until I had a snowmobile accident that I realized why my teacher had put so much emphasis on flying ukemi. I was snowmobiling in the mountains in Vermont with friends. Everything was fine and then, I hit a pothole/ditch. Now anyone who's ever been snowmobiling knows that if your skis hits a hole the handlebars jerk in one direction with force. Bro, it was the greatest throw that I've ever been uke to, and I've been thrown by the best. Instinctively my body jumped high into the air turned over and slapped out on rocks.

My wrist was on fire with pain. I didn't realize it until I had some time to reflect on what had happened, but if I hadn't responded with that kind of force in my ukemi, I would have definitely broken my wrist. No doubt about it. I was still shocked that it wasn't broken because of the shooting pain I felt when the handlebars jerked that way. I couldn't explain it then but my body, because of my ukemi training, responded by feeling the force that was going to throw me anyway, but the jump in the flying ukemi sufficiently exceeded the force that would have broken my wrist.

Makes sense? Its the same when you see wrist throwing techniques using the bo. The uke doesn't have time to let go of the bo before the technique is executed. It was the same instance with the snowmobile, except it was much more intense. I found a new respect for flying ukemi and finally understood that it was less about falling and more about knowing how to accurately gauge and flow with the force that drives the fall.

There are skilled men who can manipulate you in their throws to hurt you the same way. So its no accident that ukemi and flying ukemi, which is just a faster more forceful ukemi, are advocated. The Japanese have criticized some American schools because they concentrate on flying ukemi without putting the same effort into mastering the throws, but they also once said that no American could slap out from their throws. They were wrong.

Lastly, if you have an injury(shoulder injuries are too common in weight lifters) then your senior should know about it and understand that. We have people in our school who have had hip replacements, but we're not going to ask them to do ukemi! Its an unrealistic and unfair demand. Sounds like they are either egotists or they may have something personal against you. I can even see them asking you to just try at your own pace, but demanding that you do something that can cause you further injury is unprofessional.

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A solar panel 100 miles by 100 miles (161x161km) in the Mojave Desert (USA) could replace all the coal now burned to generate electricity in the entire U.S.

Uke

Its a demo. You're going to find a little flash. Especially when the demo is of a TMA. But Corbell definitely brings the fire to his demos. His BJJ has more of the Machado flair to it. I like that.

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A solar panel 100 miles by 100 miles (161x161km) in the Mojave Desert (USA) could replace all the coal now burned to generate electricity in the entire U.S.

Hardball

I have to take up for my senior instructor here. He does not know about my shoulder injuires--I was taught long ago to keep all injuires secret. LOL. The only thing they (classmates) have against me is that I am a transfer student and they did not see me earn my Black Belt.

Thanks for this thread. I see the value in flying ukemis now. Also, I am going to work on my regular ukemis to get better form.

Now I understand your log on handle. "Uke". LOL

Thanks again and thanks for the vid.

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The Way of the Warrior is Practice. Daily practice, accumulate practice minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. {Book of 5 Rings} Mike Brewers 2008 Sit up challenge 40,000/100,000 running balance.(Crunches) Kicks 6,300/100,000