Ukemi/Falling

The art of attacking and falling is often misunderstood as either helping our partner complete a form or resisting our partner's technique. The attack must be done with commitment but without malice; the fall must be done with grace but without plan or attachment to style. Generally, a fall or roll is taken to avoid being put in a harmful position or a position of imbalance. There are many times when our partner, through lack of technique or intent, seems unable to place us in a harmful position or one of imbalance, however it is advisable that you train for the time when your partner is more competent or suddenly has a realization and completes their technique with greater velocity. Ukemi means awareness throughout the attack and the fall.