Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 3 – Applying Direct Force

Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is largely about moving your opponent’s center of gravity past the edge of his balance zone – but how do you do it?

Physically, there are three general approaches; (1) you can apply direct force to move your opponent; (2) you can take advantage of your opponent’s voluntary movements; or (3) you can apply a force to your opponent that produces a predictable response from him and then take advantage of the response.

All three approaches can be effective in the right circumstances. However, if your opponent is significantly bigger and stronger than you – as in a typical self-defense situation - the direct force approach is questionable.

Still, all three are useful especially when combined with mental and spiritual forms of kuzushi.

So, if you are going to apply direct force to move your opponent out of his balance zone choosing the direction of your force is extremely important. Notice the position of uki’s feet relative to his center of mass and either push or pull uki toward the closest edge of his balance zone.

His balance zone is a four-sided area described by the outside edges of both feet, a line connecting the balls of his two big toes, and a line connecting his two heels. Your primary objective in moving uki’s torso is the edge of his balance zone closest to his center of mass.

Understand that if uki can move his feet faster than you can move his center of mass you will fail to unbalance him in this try. You can make it difficult for him to move his feet by adding a lift component to your applied force taking his weight off his feet while you also move him laterally. You can also block or post the foot he is most likely to move planting your own foot so as to prevent the movement he needs to retain his balance.

Applying direct force to unbalance your opponent is a tactic commonly seen in sport Judo matches where contestants are matched in narrow weight ranges. It is not as useful in self-defense situations where your attacker is significantly bigger and stronger unless combined with other kuzushi techniques.

In the next post I’ll explore taking advantage of uki’s voluntary movement.

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