Posture (shisei)

(An excerpt from Judo Unleashed!)

In most sports, a defensive posture is characterized by a low, bent-over position, while an offensive posture is more upright. An offensive player with a football or basketball generally moves or stands with slightly bent legs while looking for an opportunity. The opposing defender has legs spread farther apart, assumes a more crouched position, and is focused on the ball. As soon as the defender gets the ball he stands up straighter to take the offensive, as the standing position gives freedom of movement to change directions, use either foot, deceive opponents with feints, and see the entire competition area. In judo you cannot win without an effective attack, so the emphasis in practice is on the correct offensive posture.

The ideal posture to freely apply judo throws is an upright natural posture, with knees slightly bent, head centered over the hips, feet directly below the hips and about shoulder width apart. Position your head so you look not down at your feet, but up around your opponent's waist or above. Movement of the hips will usually signal your opponent's real intentions better than his or her feet or hands, which often are used deceptively.

The ideal judo posture allows for free movement, and is inherently stable and balanced. The upright natural posture gives the best overall view of the field of battle, prevents you from being dominated, and allows you maximum freedom to react spontaneously when needed. The rules of competition penalize an overly defensive, bent-over position because it inhibits action.

The perfect technique is one without much effort or conscious thought. It must be applied at the right time, in the right direction, with the right amount of force -- a spontaneous reaction to the opportunity presented by the opponent's movement. This kind of perfect technique is rare. In fact, technique is like water forever slipping through your fingers; the only expertise we can hope to develop is occasionally to remember to cup our hands. We can gather it together for a moment, sometimes long enough to take a refreshing drink, but it is too fluid to capture at will. The natural posture is therefore essential for the quick responses needed to take advantage of fleeting opportunities.