Safe Falling Class: Suggested Equipment
While young adults in good shape can learn to fall with very basic floor-level mats,
for older adults thick "crash-pad" mats are essential for a safe falling class.
Proper Mats for a Safe Falling Class -
Three mat setups are needed for the basic Fearless Falling curriculum:
1. A matted surface for practicing the basic rolling back and side fall positions, 1-2" (3-6cm) thick.
Each student will require a 3x5 foot (1x2m) space.
2. A slightly slanted vertical mat surface for practicing the "Slap the Cheese" technique.
This should be about 6 feet (2m) high and at least 4-6" (10-15cm) thick.
3. A large "crash pad" tumbling mat for actual falling practice.
This should be at least 5x10 feet (2x3m) for 2 to 3 students at a time, and 12-14" (30-35cm) thick
The basic mat set for a class of four to sixteen is three, 2" thick,
5'x10' five-section folding gym mats, and two, 4" thick, 5'x10' single
fold "crash-pad" type mats. These five mats allow a variety of setups
for safe falling practice. This mat set is moderately expensive, about
$3000, and requires a storage space of at least 100 cubic feet.
Showing how the 2" thick mats fold up:
Many gymnastics locations have the equivalent setup with a 2" firmly
padded "floor exercise" area, and 8-14" thick large crash-pad mats.
