Neko Ryu General Principles: Balance – Part 4 – Using Uki’s Movement

Kuzushi, putting your opponent off balance, is about moving your opponent’s center of gravity (center of mass) past the edge of his balance zone. You can do it by helping uki do it himself.

Every time uki moves he creates momentum in the direction of his movement; the faster the movement the greater the momentum. The longer his movement in distance or time the easier it will be for you to take advantage of it.

When uki moves, he instinctively coordinates his body with the intended movement. If he punches, he may step forward extending his balance zone in the direction of his movement. Human movement normally follows this pattern. The center of mass moves in an intended direction and the feet move to maintain the balance zone around the center of mass in a coordinated and more or less simultaneous way.

Helping uki move his center of mass past the edge of his balance zone is done by extending his movement farther than he intended and faster than he can adjust his balance zone by repositioning his feet.

Using the simple straight punch as an example; when uki throws a right-hand punch and steps forward with his right foot his movement is coordinated and he adjusts his balance zone forward as his center of mass moves forward. By grasping uki’s wrist while his punching arm extends and pulling uki forward in the direction he is already moving, you can increase the speed of his upper body movement taking it further than uki intended - taking his center of mass beyond the edge of his balance zone. Then, with uki’s balance compromised you can effectively attack him with a throw or a strike.

This example demonstrates the principle. When uki moves his body in any direction you have the opportunity to add force and further accelerate uki’s body in the direction he is already moving - extending uki’s movement farther than he intended and likely beyond his balance zone.

In the next post I’ll explore causing uki to move predictably.

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