The purpose of this study was to identify kinematic parameters of breakfall for osoto-gari that are able to distinguish between the experienced and novice judokas. Eight experienced and four novice judukas were volunteered to attend the study. The motion data of the break fall for osoto-gari were collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis technique. Our result demonstrated that there are significant difference in the hip movement pattern between the experienced and the novice judokas (p<0.05). In addition, the angle-time pattern of neck was also statistically different between the two groups; however, the difference of the neck angle was not as meaningful as that of the hip joint angle. Our result suggests that judo coaches need to pay more attention to have the novice judokas maintain the posture to improve the breakfall skill.
