School of Breakfalls: Where Safety and Falling Meet

Abstract

Statistics show that both children and adults with disabilities lead sedentary lifestyles, with very little physical activity incorporated into their daily routines (Johnson, 2008; Rimmer, 2002; Rimmer et al., 2004). This sedentary lifestyle results in a lack of movement experiences that build strength, coordination, and balance. Many early movement experiences include falling and getting back up. Without these experiences, children with disabilities do not have the opportunity to learn how to fall properly, which creates a lack of awareness and skill related to safe falling as an adult. The School of Breakfalls method intends to make up for this lack of early practice, teaching students the skills of safe falling, and in turn enabling them to avoid injuries resulting from a loss of balance. The Breakfalls method is based on breakfall techniques taught in the modern martial art of judo. These techniques have remained unchanged since the 19th century. The Breakfalls method, developed by Hungarian judo trainer Béla Dobrotka, is built on a string of simple everyday movements, organized into a teachable system. The primary aim of the method is to teach students of all ages the basic principles of falling, such as how to avoid hitting the head and how to use the arms to protect the body when falling.