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Modernists call that form of ukemi mat bashing.
Of course, none has ever been to my dojo to see first hand what really goes on. In spite of all the rumors surrounding our program, Judo America San Diego thrives with over 100 members practicing three times a week without the benefit of traditional ukemi training. Obviously, we must be doing something right for it would be impossible to maintain a membership such as ours if students were getting hurt because we don't teach them traditional ukemi. There is no mention whatsoever of falling onto the back in order to protect the body. Just how ukemi has come to be strictly understood as falling onto one's back is anyone's guess.