How to Correctly Do a Ninja Roll

The ninja roll is technique that can save your life. It allows you to turn the impact of a hard, fast fall into circular momentum when done correctly. This takes the force out of your collision and prevents the more vulnerable parts of your body from impacting the ground. You will roll over your shoulder and come up again on your feet instead of going head-first into the asphalt.

Instructions

    • 1

      Run forward and dive horizontally. Bring up the same arm as the foot which is furthest forward. Turn your arm so that the the little finger is forward, the palm faces out away from you and the elbow points up and your arm is curved.

    • 2

      Tuck your chin against your chest, bring the little finger of the curved arm down to the ground. Maintain the curve of your arm. Throw your back leg up behind you towards the shoulder of the outstretched arm.

    • 3

      Maintain the curve of your back and keep your body as tightly rolled as possible. Roll over the shoulder of your outreached arm. The aim is for you to roll diagonally around the curve of your back. The leg thrown up behind you comes to the ground first.

    • 4

      Bend your back leg into a right-angle as your feet come away from the floor. Position the leg as if you were sitting on the floor and were going to sit cross-legged. Tuck your other knee up towards your chest.

    • 5

      Roll so that the side of the shin of the bent leg and the ball of the other foot strike against the ground. Push down with the ball of your foot, guiding your momentum to bring you up to your feet. Bring the other leg up and straighten it. Get both feet steady on the floor.

    • 6

      Keep one leg forward and one leg back to give you a steady stance. Bring the back leg out, around in arc and forward in a step if you still have momentum carrying you forward.