Systema Bicycle Technique

The bicycle is a sort of side roll for Systema, but it is very useful in other places. If, for example, you are having difficulty with spinning kicks in arts like Taekwondo or Capoeira, the bicycle is a soft and effective method of recovery.

When you fall, the only velocity that can possibly hurt you is the velocity taking you towards something dangerous. In this technique, you redirect any downward velocity you have to the side and continue redirecting it when you roll on your back. At the same time, you take what little force is left when you finally do reach your back with a very large surface. Although you don't give any special effort to keep the impact away from your spine, the pressure is so small by the time the spine is reached that you don't have to.

Technique Instructions

• When you start practicing this technique, you should start kneeling with both knees on the ground and the top of your feet flat on the ground.
• Lean onto one knee and push the other leg out. You will roll over the entire surface of your back.
• Bring the leg you roll onto back underneath you. Do this before you roll onto it so you end up in the same position you started.
• This technique can also be done from standing by either "screwing" into the ground or falling to the side.
• There is also and "offensive" version of the bicycle where you kick your legs up instead of outward.

References

1. Kadochnikov System Russian Martial Art, http://www.kadochnikovsystem.com, Added - 11/28/14