Off-Balancing

Off-balancing is the deliberate act of shifting the opponent’s weight to create openings. By pushing, pulling, or angling against their center of gravity, the practitioner can destabilize even a well-postured opponent.

This principle applies to sweeps, takedowns, and submission setups. Small adjustments, such as a subtle hip twist or shoulder push, can exaggerate the opponent’s instability, allowing follow-up techniques to be executed more efficiently. Mastery of off-balancing highlights the interplay of timing, leverage, and body mechanics in BJJ.