Kuzushi (off-balancing) was the secret Dr. Jigoro Kano discovered from his Kito-ryu teacher Tsuneyoshi Iikibo before founding Judo. Iikibo Sensei told him now that Kano had discovered the key to throwing, he could teach him no more. Today that secret is taken for granted but, as the same time, is poorly understood. Off-balancing is not just for throwing arts but for striking and locking arts as well. Sometimes a subtle off-balancing is the difference between a simple, clean escape or an effectively timed coutner attack. Using examples from Judo, Aiki, Karate and Takeshin Seiken Budo, Kyoshi Annesi details various ways to subtly off-balance an opponent either to throw, to structure, or to follow-up with strikes.