Marine Corps Martial Arts Tan Belt - Side Break Fall

This section focuses on tan belt techniques used by the Marine Corps martial arts program. This page examines the side 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.

Side Break-Fall

A side break-fall is executed to break your fall, if you should fall on your side.

Technique

It is difficult to execute a break-fall in training because you have to be thrown in order to execute the break-fall properly, however this would create a potentially hazardous condition. The break-fall will be taught and practiced in stages, from the deck, from a squatting position,
and from a standing position written for right side, reverse sides for the left.

From the Deck

~ Begin by lying on the deck on your right side. Your right leg should be straight and your left leg should be bent with your foot flat on the deck.
~ Place your right arm, palm facing down, at a 45-degree angle out and away from your body.
~ Raise your head and neck by tucking your chin and tilting your head up away from the deck. Bring your right arm across your body so that your hand is next to your left shoulder with your palm facing inboard.
~ With your right arm, slap the deck making contact from your shoulder or forearm down to your hand. Tuck your chin and keep your head raised off of the deck.
~ Determine the proper arm placement that allows you to keep your head off of the deck. Proper arm placement will disperse the impact of the fall.
~ Practice this step as many times as necessary to determine proper arm placement.

From a Squatting Position

~ Assume a one-knee position.
~ Bring your right arm across your body so that your hand is next to your left shoulder with your palm facing inboard.
~ Fall on your side by sliding your right foot to the left and rolling on your right hip.
~ Break your fall with your right arm, slapping the deck, making contact from your shoulder or forearm down to your hand. The arm should strike the deck at a 45-degree angle with respect to your body while simultaneously tucking your chin and keeping your head raised off of the deck.
~ To disperse the impact, stretch out your right leg making contact with the deck. Bend your left leg and ensure that your foot makes contact with the deck.
~ Practice this step as many times as necessary to ensure proper arm placement to break the fall.

From a Standing Position Written for Right Side, Reverse Sides for the Left

~ From the basic warrior stance bring your right arm across your body so that your hand is next to your left shoulder with your palm facing you. Tuck your chin to the left to avoid striking the deck with your head.
~ Fall on your right side by sliding your right foot to the left and collapse to the right onto your right thigh, buttocks, and lat muscle.
~ Break your fall with your right arm by slapping the deck, making contact from your shoulder or forearm down to your hand. The arm should strike the deck at a 45-degree angle with respect to your body. Keep your head raised off of the deck.
~ Everything should make contact with the deck at the same time to disperse the impact. Your right leg is stretched straight to make contact with the deck. Your left leg is bent with the sole of your left foot flat on the deck.
See figure 2-14.

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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