Rolling techniques are a core feature of Geijin Ryu. They are essential to both combative techniques, escape and evasion. While rolling techniques are not unique to this art, they are highly developed in Geijin Ryu.
There are numerous categories of rolls. They range from very basic to complex and have applications that are not obvious on casual consideration.
In these brief videos we demonstrate several categories of roles. They are intentionally performed slowly for illustrative purposes. Please do not try them without competent personal instruction, you cannot learn them from a video alone.
Applications of these and other roles in escape, concealment and fighting are taught throughout the martial curriculum. They are extremely useful and effective techniques.
There are rolls involving the carrying and use of weapons. These do not appear to be widely taught elsewhere.
All but one category of roll shown here do NOT cross the spine. This is an essential feature of rolls practiced in this art. Likewise nearly all of them avoid any contact between the knees and the ground. Knees, spine and to a lesser extent the hips are common sites for injury when performing rolls.
There are distinctive differences between roles as practiced in Geijin Ryu and most other arts and they are substantially different than those seen in Judo and Aikido and most Japanese Bugei of Samurai lineage.
How rolls create advantage depends on the setting and their application. Properly executed rolls are quiet, controlled, smooth and typically quick. There are techniques for rolling around, between, under and over obstacles. There are roles with short and long distances, up and down hills and even in rough terrain.
Rolls require significant practice and have to be maintained. There are rolls used in practice with firearms and throwing blades. It can take a significant amount of time to become competent with rolls and it is even harder to teach them.
In Geijin Ryu rolls are preferred to break-falls whenever possible. They can be very hard on an untrained or unfit body. The rolling techniques in this art could easily fill a decently comprehensive text. The full spectrum of rolls will be taught only in person to students.