Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 2 – Retaining Your Balance

Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is largely about moving your opponent’s center of gravity past the edge of his balance zone or causing him to change his balance zone.

Retaining your own balance is about keeping your center of gravity within your balance zone. You maintain your ability to move fluidly. You stay loose. You keep your knees slightly bent. You keep your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. And you move with your opponent – anticipating him, responding to him, or leading him – but always adjusting your posture and your position to maximize your balance while moving, defending, and attacking.

Things to Avoid:
1. Standing with your knees locked degrades your movement response time and makes it easier for your opponent to take your balance because your center of gravity is locked on the end of the lever of your legs.

2. Standing with your feet close together shrinks your balance zone making your balance much less secure.

3. Standing with your feet too far apart only increases your balance zone on one axis. At the same time it greatly degrades your ability to move.

4. Keeping your muscles tense will turn your arms and legs into levers your opponent can use to move your center of gravity out of your balance zone.

In subsequent posts, I’ll explore methods of taking your opponent’s balance. I’ll also explore mental and spiritual forms of balance.

Link to other topics in the Special Report: Balance and Kuzushi