subject: Learn Ninjutsu Self Defense - Understanding The Difference Between Ninja Rolling And Gymnastics [print this page] One of the biggest misconceptions, when it comes to rolling within the Ninja's self defense arts, is the belief that Ninja rolling is the same as that found in sport gymnastics. And, while many of the skills are indeed similar, the reality is that there are many things that are different between the way these skills are performed by the skilled gymnast, and the practitioner of Ninjutsu.
But, before we talk about the differences, I want to talk about why each of these two students learn their skills. What I mean is that, each student wants to be able to produce a certain result with their skills. And, as a result of that goal or desire, sets out to be able to do precisely that thing.
So, what does the gymnast want to be able to do, or accomplish?
If we think about this objectively, we get that the person drawn toward becoming a gymnast, is really drawn from a sense of competitiveness - he or she is athletic and wants to be the "best" at this sport called, "gymnastics."
So, the gymnast is focused on being able to perform their skills in a prescribed way that is determined by the sport, and knows that they will be judged based on a predefined model. Do you understand that?
In short, the gymnastics superstar sets out to be the best at performing their flips, rolls, vaults, and other skills within a preset "way" that they are expected to be done.
On the other hand, the Ninja student wasn't drawn to doing flips and cartwheels as such. Instead, he or she is focused on self defense - being able to stay safe and alive in the face of danger and overwhelming odds.
The Ninja student learns their skills out of a recognition that there is more to self protection than blocks, kicks, and punching skills. So, this person sets out to be proficient at what might be the same skills as the gymnastics athlete, but from a need to respond to certain types of attacks and dangerous situations - not from a need to win a trophy or some kind of social status within a competitive arena.
Understand?
So, now that we can see the difference between "why" each student learns what they do, we can now take a look at what is even more important - the training itself. And, while it's not within the context of this work to go into all the details of training, I do want to explore why you must train a specific way.
To do that, we only need to look back at what I've already described as the "reason" that the Ninja practitioner bothers to learn his rolls and other skills in the first place. And that reason is self defense.
When you think about any particular skill - rolling for example - ask yourself...
Who determines the dynamics of the skill - in this case, the roll?
Do you understand what I'm asking?
Let's look at the gymnast's floor routine in a sport competition. Who determines the type of roll, it's direction on the floor, and its speed? Right. The gymnast.
But, you might say, they have to match the beat and rhythm of the music that's playing. And, you'd be right.
But...
Who chooses the music? Right again. The gymnast does.
So, if they are a relative beginner, or they are not as good at that particular roll as they are with their other skills, they simply...
Choose a slower score, or make sure that they do this roll when the tempo slows to a speed which matches their skill level!
But, who decides these things for the Ninja's roll in a self defense situation?
Right. The attacker!
We do not have the luxury of learning, practicing, or developing our skills in a way that allows us to do things at our own time and comfort level.
So, the point here is that the biggest difference between rolling, or any of our other skills for us, as practitioners of the Ninja's arts, and the gymnast, is that we must be able to do our skills...
When our attacker says we must!
We must be able to adapt to the direction, speed, force, angle, and timing of his attack...whether we want to our not!
