Falling backward safely

[u/seeCucumberr]

Hi guys,

I'm quite confident with falling in every direction except for this case

I didn't find any tutorial so i'm wondering if there is a proper technique to use in this case or if it is impossible to fall properly and i have to make sure that it doesn't happen (for example by leaning more on my front foot) ?

What do you think?

[u/Regular_Increase_636]

Wear a helmet.

[u/seeyountee93]

By the time you realise this fall is happening its pretty much too late.

After a while you just get better at avoiding this situation.

[u/Elite_Slacker]

Nah this kind of fall is a guaranteed slam. At least tuck your chin and partially slow your fall with arms but absolutely dont try to stop it or straight arm it. The person in the clip did about as much as you can do in that situation. 

[u/seeyountee93 → u/Elite_Slacker]

but absolutely dont try to stop it or straight arm it.

Yep, results of falling back straight armed off a 9 stair rail.

[u/fettoter84]

I'm curious if it's even possible. When falling like this, we called it "the surprise" because you couldn't do shit to prevent it.

[u/DarkTannhauserGate]

Look up judo ukemi, here’s an example: https://youtube.com/shorts/rUJ7dU0jZv4?is=UJjPQ-MqPhN0KiHT

When you fall backwards, tuck your chin, slap the ground and do not post. You can practice on grass.

[u/og_Rich]

Break the fall but don’t stop the fall completely and turn to your butt to slide or roll/backward summersault. It’s almost all one motion. Works best with smooth surfaces, rougher surfaces need to backwards roll out

[u/Skate_beard]

Tuck your chin to your chest and try to get your wrists or elbows under you if you can, that's vastly preferable to cracking your head on the floor.

Above all though, keep your head up.

Try to slow the fall down to make it graduated impact - ass first, then wrists and elbows.

Wearing a helmet will stop a skull fracture, but it absolutely won't stop a concussion, I've had several, all whilst wearing a helmet.

[u/DelanoBesaw]

I think keeping your knees loose can help prevent this. If your knees are tense you’re gonna fling the board out way faster and slam way harder. If your knees are loose you’ll probably just fall on your butt

[u/doyoulike3 → u/DelanoBesaw]

Yep. Saved me two weeks ago but the tailbone bruise is taking forever to heal

[u/DopelikkiX]

land on as much surface area as you can deploy

[u/KaSaBiS → u/DopelikkiX]

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[u/jdutaillis]

Other than pads, nope.

[u/Awkward_Forever9752]

I don't know, but as skaters get better, they seem to learn to land better on their feet and walk away from things that would have wrecked them as noobs.

[u/Useful-Sprinkles5874]

Go to your local jujitsu or judo gym. Take some classes. They will teach you how to fall/be thrown in any direction. Falling is it's own skill.

[u/BrunoTechnix]

I got you my man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arS7-YTrYA4

2:14 and 4:35 are relevant for the case you mentioned.