A safe, easy front roll variation for beginners

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This tumbling roll variation is a bit different from the typical front roll you might see, which tends to place a lot of pressure on the head and neck. The forward shoulder roll takes the head and neck out of the equation so that you can move more freely.

1. Start by staying as close to the ground as possible (you'll work your way up over time).

2. Make sure your head makes minimal contact with the ground. Extend your arm and roll onto the back of the shoulder, tucking the head through the other arm.

3. Lift the opposite knee as you do this, lifting the butt slightly up into the air.

4. Once you're comfortable getting into and out of this position, you can start working on straightening your legs, lifting your butt even higher in the air. Don't actually roll just yet, though!

5. After practicing that for a while, rather than letting yourself fall through, walk your toes forward, coming onto the back of both shoulders.

Over time, you'll be able to speed this up while maintaining your control.

We really hope you found this video useful. Please leave a comment if you have any questions at all. We'll do our best to help.

[Diavolo-hg]

You are the goat man. I have fear of doing rolls/flips like this and I can get dizzy REALLY damn easily. Thank god that I’ve crossed over this video and managed to do a few shoulder rolls!!!! Thank you so much!!!!

[ericsaunders]

This was the best explanation of front shoulder rolls I have ever seen. Thank you.
That being said I tell all of my Krav students to imagine doing a roll on concrete... because you definitely don’t want your head touching the ground then.

[wesleyangel]

That was so smooth and seemingly perfectly in frame in the end. I don't know how many times that took and don't mind to know as I appreciate it all the same.

Having said that, if one were to be practicing handstands with chest facing the wall and losing balance, what would be the best way to fall from arms length height?

[NellJG]

This is such a great method! Just a quick question though, how could you do it without hurting your head, like when your head pushes against the floor and puts too much pressure on it?

[smallkancil]

I appreciate these videos. Please do one for the back shoulder roll?

[Haefaciel]

This is a great beginner’s explanation of a shoulder roll. Thanks! I started jujitsu and I’m struggling with this skill.

[soniawadsworth]

My king fu master konging is all about spatial awareness. I just binged watched all your shorts videos

[temmie_]

Thanks I'm so afraid of forward rolls. For real