Protective technique
Angel Wings
The broad arm position used in a back landing to increase the body's contact area and help distribute force.
In the book: The Protection Pathway
Link to this termReader reference
APPLIED UKEMI Glossary
Look up the Japanese terms, techniques, and core ideas used throughout the book, with a reference back to the relevant chapter or appendix.
Definitions support reading and review. They do not replace the book’s safety guidance, qualified supervision, or medical advice.
28 terms
Back to the companionGuided practice
Practice concept
Armor
The strength, muscle, and physical reserve that support balance, protect joints, and help the body tolerate force.
In the book: Armor
Link to this termProtective technique
Breakfall
A trained landing that organizes the body to protect the head and distribute impact rather than concentrating it in one vulnerable point.
In the book: The Sudden Stop; What Is Ukemi
Link to this termProtective technique
Controlled Descent
The third level of the Protection Pathway, where the body begins learning the route from an upright position toward a protected finish.
In the book: The Protection Pathway
Link to this termProtective technique
Crash Pad
The fourth Protection Pathway level, using appropriate cushioning to introduce consequence gradually before progressing to a mat.
In the book: The Protection Pathway
Link to this termJapanese term
Dojo道場
The training hall—the place of practice.
In the book: Appendix B: The Japanese Concepts
Link to this termProtective technique
Finish Position
The organized landing shape learned first in the Protection Pathway. It is also called Home Base and prioritizes keeping the head protected.
In the book: The Protection Pathway: Home Base
Link to this termPractice concept
Force Division
Sharing impact across time and multiple suitable contact surfaces instead of allowing force to concentrate in one joint or bone.
In the book: The Sudden Stop; What Is Ukemi
Link to this termProtective technique
Head Protection
The non-negotiable priority in APPLIED UKEMI: organizing the body so the head does not meet the ground unprotected.
In the book: The Sudden Stop; The Protection Pathway
Link to this termJapanese term
Jita Kyoei自他共栄
Mutual benefit for all—one of Kano Jigoro's founding principles of Judo.
In the book: Jita Kyoei; Appendix B
Link to this termJapanese term
Kamae構え
Stance, position, or ready posture. In the book, Kamae introduces each chapter's central concept.
In the book: Concept section of each chapter; Appendix B
Link to this termJapanese term
Kame no Kuzushi亀の崩し
Turtle stability and the breaking of balance—a framework for stance, awareness, and recognizing when the body moves off balance.
In the book: Kame no Kuzushi; Appendix B
Link to this termJapanese term
Kano Jigoro嘉納 治五郎
Founder of Kodokan Judo in 1882 and creator of ukemi as a training system.
In the book: What Is Ukemi; Appendix B
Link to this termJapanese term
Kodokan講道館
The school founded by Kano Jigoro in Tokyo in 1882.
In the book: What Is Ukemi; Appendix B
Link to this termPractice concept
Protection Pathway
A five-level progression: Finish Position, Slap Mechanics, Controlled Descent, Crash Pad, and Mat. Each level builds on the one before it.
In the book: The Protection Pathway
Link to this termJapanese term
Randori乱取り
Free practice or live training. In APPLIED UKEMI, Randori labels the real-life training tales.
In the book: Training tale section of each chapter; Appendix B
Link to this termRecovery
Recovery
The process after a fall: pause, assess from head to toe, evaluate the surroundings, and only then choose whether and how to move or seek help.
In the book: Recovery guidance; Appendix C
Link to this termJapanese term
Seiryoku Zenyo精力善用
Maximum efficiency with minimum effort—Kano's second founding principle.
In the book: Appendix B: The Japanese Concepts
Link to this termJapanese term
Shu Ha Ri守破離
Follow, break, transcend—the three stages of skill learning.
In the book: Appendix B: The Japanese Concepts
Link to this termProtective technique
Slap Mechanics
The second Protection Pathway level. A deliberate, broad forearm contact helps divide force; it is not a reach with a locked hand or wrist.
In the book: The Sudden Stop; The Protection Pathway
Link to this termPractice concept
Slowering
The deliberate, controlled lowering of the body's center of mass in response to instability—slowing and lowering at the same time.
In the book: Slowering
Link to this termPractice concept
Surface Area
Using broader, appropriate landing surfaces so impact is distributed rather than concentrated at one fragile point.
In the book: The Sudden Stop; What Is Ukemi
Link to this termJapanese term
Tataku叩く
To strike or beat—the deliberate slap that divides force in a breakfall.
In the book: The Sudden Stop; Appendix B
Link to this termJapanese term
Ukemi受身
The art of receiving a fall safely, the first skill taught in Judo and the central subject of APPLIED UKEMI.
In the book: What Is Ukemi; Appendix B
Link to this termProtective technique
U-Stance
The protective arm position used when a loss of balance is clearly forward, with the hands creating a protective frame around the head.
In the book: Kame no Kuzushi
Link to this termJapanese term
Waza技
Technique or skill. In the book, Waza introduces research and evidence connected to each chapter.
In the book: Research section of each chapter; Appendix B
Link to this termPractice concept
White Belt Mentality
Approaching continued practice with humility, curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning from the beginning.
In the book: White Belt Mentality
Link to this termProtective technique
X-Stance
The protective arm position for backward, sideways, rotational, or uncertain loss of balance—anything not clearly forward.
In the book: Kame no Kuzushi
Link to this term