"Kuzushi" is the principle in Judo and other martial arts of off-balancing your opponent, usually in preparation to throw them to the ground. Trying to throw an opponent without first off-balancing them usually fails because they are in too strong a position to resist and defend the throw attempt. This is related to the concept of eight corners in Judo, where like the directions of a compass, Judo practitioners practice off-balancing their opponent in the major directions that may lead to specific throws.

While "kuzushi" refers to the practice of destabilizing an opponent, it is also closely related to the concept of stabilizing yourself. This is manifest in other arts such as the concept of "aiki" in Aikido, "jins" in Taichi, various forms of Yoga, and even general mobility and balance training or weightlifting.