Kuzushi

Kuzushi is the act of breaking an opponent’s balance to make a throw easier to execute. It is one of the three stages traditionally used to explain judo throwing technique.

Shintai: Shintai is the movement of the body and feet used to maintain or change position in Japanese martial arts. Footwork and body movement create the angles and motion that help disrupt balance.
Center of mass: The center of mass is the point representing the average position of an object's mass. A throw destabilizes an opponent by shifting or supporting their center of mass poorly.
Osoto-gari: Osoto-gari is a major outer-reaping judo throw that takes an opponent backward over a reaped leg. Its entry drives the opponent backward before the reaping action removes support.
Nage-waza: Nage-waza is the category of throwing techniques in judo. Kuzushi is a principle used in throws, not a throw by itself.
Tsukuri: Tsukuri is the positioning and fitting-in stage of a judo throw, preparing the bodies for execution. It follows balance-breaking by placing the thrower in position to complete the throw.
Base of support: A base of support is the area beneath an object or body that contains its supporting contact points. Balance weakens when the opponent's center of mass moves beyond this area.
Seoi-nage: Seoi-nage is a shoulder throw in which the thrower turns beneath an opponent and projects them over the back. The throw depends on drawing the opponent forward as the thrower turns in.
Atemi-waza: Atemi-waza is the use of strikes to vulnerable points in Japanese martial arts. Unlike striking, kuzushi compromises balance to enable a projection.
Kake: Kake is the execution of a judo throw after the thrower has established position. It is the throwing action that kuzushi is meant to make easier.
Posture: Posture is the arrangement of body segments that supports balance and movement. An upright, adaptable posture is harder to exploit than a bent or twisted one.

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