The side-on balance game teaches Judoka to understand the directions in which an opponent may be weak due to their stance and foot positioning. Players learn how to manipulate the balance of their opponent whilst always attempting to maintain their own. It also tests their tactical guile and reactions.

Using a join in the tatami for reference, the two judoka face in opposite directions. in a natural posture with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart.

With the feet closest to each other, touching legs should feel loose and have a slight bend. Both players grip their partner's thumb firmly for the duration of the game.

The aim is to break your opponent's balance, forcing them to take a step in any direction.

With the gripped hands as the only point of contact, players often try to force their opponent off balance solely by using the strength in their arm.

However, an underlying aim is to learn to recognize the levels of tension throughout your body whilst creating kuzushi. Too rigid, and you will greatly reduce your ability to compensate for your partner's actions which only gifts them more control.

So with your core engaged, you should try to remain as relaxed as possible throughout the game, allowing you to utilize your whole body in both offense and defence. For the best base of support feet should remain flat on the tatami.

As the intensity builds the game in full flow looks something like this. When a step is taken and each point is scored both players reset and start again.

Along with developing good posture and balance, this game also teaches judoka how to capitalise on an opponent's actions and reactions.

Players begin to feel in which direction an opponent is weakest, and this helps decide the direction of their attack. Generally, a judoka balance will be at its strongest in movements along the line that could be drawn between their feet.

So within the constraints of this game when the players pull or push in the direction of the line they're both standing on, we see that this has little or no effect on the other's balance.

The weakest directions can therefore be taken as those perpendicular to the line between an opponent's feet. Illustrated here when either player initiates a forward or backward motion it almost always has a clear effect on the posture and balance of their partner, which is hard to recover from.

Linking the principle taught in this game to a more judo specific situation players should aim to develop a feel for the approximate positioning of their opponent's feet at any given moment.

They should also recognize the need to build a repertoire of throws spanning all directions, enabling them to attack in any given situation, no matter the stance of their opponent.