When I trained TKD (it was WTF style) we were never taught how to fall correctly.  I learned that when I switched to Hapkido.  Is this a common thing in TKD? If so, why is it that learning to break fall is not a taught in some TKD training?  It is a very helpful skill to have both on and off the mat.  

I am not a TKD practitioner myself. But my wild guess is that WTF practice it more as a sport then Martial Art focused on defense. Break falls are not important in competition. I had such a moment of realisation when sparring Kickboxing people who had great skills but didn't knew how to fall. As they explained to me, they do sport, I do Martial Arts. Certain things are not covered as not needed in competition setting. 

I think to be a well trained martial artist of any type, you need to learn to fall- especially if you're a kicker!

I started out with judo as a kid, and my first karate teacher was also a renowned Olympic Judo coach, so it's always been in my toolkit. But yeah, in TSD it wasn't covered much, either, and when I started Hapkido we did breakfalls, though with some differences.

Probably due to the sport aspect.  I've always had instructors that worked in some of the self-defense aspects, and we always learned how to fall, if even rudimentarily.  In Aikido, we spend a lot more time on ukemi, and it's a different level of attention to detail.

I consider ukemi to be one of the absolutely most important lessons I ever learned in martial arts.  It literally saved my life once.  About 15 years ago, I was visiting family near Aspen, CO.  I was carrying a large box in both hands on an icy patch of ground.  My feet slipped out from underneath me, and I went from vertical to horizontal in an instant.  If I had not known instinctively to land flat on my back with my chin tucked firmly to my chest, I would likely not be here today.

Yeah i have to agree. Can make an argument that Ukemi is the skill you are most likely to use in your life and the one most likely to save you from injury or severe harm. People don't get in that many physical confrontations but everyone has fallen on a patch of ice etc. at some point in their life

On 1/20/2026 at 4:47 AM, DarthPenguin said:

Yeah i have to agree. Can make an argument that Ukemi is the skill you are most likely to use in your life and the one most likely to save you from injury or severe harm. People don't get in that many physical confrontations but everyone has fallen on a patch of ice etc. at some point in their life

So true, and I agree that falling properly will probably be more utilized than actually defending oneself.

On 1/20/2026 at 2:47 AM, DarthPenguin said:

Yeah i have to agree. Can make an argument that Ukemi is the skill you are most likely to use in your life and the one most likely to save you from injury or severe harm. People don't get in that many physical confrontations but everyone has fallen on a patch of ice etc. at some point in their life

I credit it for saving me from a head injury when I fell on some icy steps a few years ago.  Broke a couple ribs but a lot better than hitting my head!