The Science of Takedowns – Part 2
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For a grappler to control positions with minimal energy they must understand how to disrupt balance. Every takedown or sweep first requires the grappler to off balance the opponent.
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Balance is defined as keeping your center of mass inside your base of support. When your center of mass goes outside your base of support you are off-balance.
Balance strategies:
1️⃣Ankle
2️⃣Hip
3️⃣Step / reach
For small perturbations you use your ankles, when the perturbation is greater/faster you utilize your hips (wrestlers often say someone has “good hips”). When both of those strategies fail you can step to re-align your base of support to keep your center of mass inside.
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Kuzushi is a concept in Judo which means to unbalance an opponent. When an opponent is unbalanced the finish is effortless. All takedowns begin with initiating grip. Once control is established a push/pull to manipulate the balance or deception to have your opponent move in a manner that off balances themselves. The finish involves controlling the hips and/or preventing the feet from stepping. .
Here @persian.fury demonstrates this concept with a classic foot sweep. First he utilizes off balancing and then blocks the step response to finish the takedown.