The correct use of balance in utilizing self-defense applications cannot be over-emphasized. In the heat
of the confrontation, balance, stability, and agility, are for the most part largely dismissed. One’s pre-
occupation is to either run away, or to use whatever instincts to “survive” the attack. Of course, this is reasonable and predictable, when a person has little or no knowledge of stance, footwork, and yes balance, to evade and escape the attack successfully.
Let’s break down and analyze the importance of balance in a confrontation. First, maintaining proper
balance, along with distance, enables the “defender” to mobilize his “weapons” to their fullest advantage.
He/she can then employ striking techniques with maximum power and efficiency. When a person has
temporarily “lost” his center of gravity (balance) he/she is vulnerable to attack. It is in this very small
window that a counter-attack should be launched. An individual has full power when in balance, but
has lost much of their force when placed into a weakened situation. This is the foundation of why Judo
and JuJutsu are extremely effective. They place total importance in “unbalancing” the opponent, fitting
into proper position, and then quickly executing their devastating throws. In other words: you are attacking with 100% of your force, and the opponent has only 30-50 percent of their force, due to them being off-balance. You have a definite advantage at that precise moment. ATTACK.
Another related aspect of balance is the use of “mobility”. There are times when one must be firmly rooted to the ground, and there are times when fluid movement is the major goal of successfully evading an attack. The ability to “flow” and re-position oneself, is paramount in a successful defense. By shifting, side-stepping, and using angles, to close the distance and launch a counter-attack, whether it be striking,
throwing, or joint-locking techniques, are all made possible by the correct use of applying balance and
mobility at the crucial time.
Learning how to utlilize the various components of balance does require study and training. While some
individuals do have a propensity to maintain balalnce, most of us have to instructed in the basic
mechanics of how these essential principles really work. It can be learned, Proper supervision and dedicated practice are all that is required. Train smart!
Thank you for your time,
Tom B.
Self-Defense Coach
