Marine Corps Martial Arts Tan Belt - Back Break Fall

This section focuses on tan belt techniques used by the Marine Corps martial arts program. This page examines the back break fall used in the Marine Corps martial arts program. Information from Public Domain Document, MCRP 3-02B, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).

For more Marine Corps techniques, please visit the main Marine Corps Martial Arts Program section.

Back Break-Fall

A back break-fall is executed to break the fall when being thrown or falling backwards and will never be executed from the standing position during training. The back break-fall is taught and practiced in stages, from the deck and from a squatting position.

Technique

The back break-fall is taught in stages, from the deck and from a squatting position.

From the Deck

~ Begin by lying on the deck on your back as shown in figure 2-13.
~ Place your arms at approximately a 45-degree angle downward, out and away from your body, with your palms down.
~ Tuck in your chin.
~ Offer resistance with your arms to raise your head, neck, and shoulders off of the deck.
~ Determine proper arm placement that allows you to keep your head off of the deck.
~ Proper arm placement will disperse the impact of the fall.
~ Once proper arm placement is determined, cross your hands in an X in front of your chest.
~ Tuck in your chin to keep your head up off of the deck.
~ Bend your knees to raise them off of the deck.
~ Swing your arms out and slap the deck, making contact from your forearms to your palms. The forearms and the meaty portion of the palms, down to the fingertips, should strike the deck simultaneously. Your fingers and thumb will be extended and joined.
~ Offer resistance with your arms to raise your head, neck, and shoulders off of the deck.
~ Practice this step as many times as necessary to ensure proper arm placement to break the fall.

From a Squatting Position

~ Squat down on the balls of your feet, tuck your chin in and cross your arms in front of your torso, palms facing you, with fingers and thumb extended and joined.
~ Roll backwards, without pushing off or straightening your legs, keeping your chin tucked to protect your head from the impact.
~ Slap the deck with both extended arms and palms to help disperse the impact. Contact between the deck and your torso and arms should happen simultaneously and your arms should form a 45-degree angle to your body.
~ Keeping your head off of the deck will protect your neck and spinal column from injury.
~ Practice this step as many times as necessary to properly break the fall.
See figure 2-13.

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References

1. Information from Public Domain Document, MCRP 3-02B, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), http://www.marines.mil/News/Publications/ELECTRONICLIBRARY.aspx, Added - 02/18/15