About The Pivot
The pivot is an aspect of boxing that is often overlooked. The main reason pivot is overlooked is that, at first glance, pivot is not a “glamorous” skill. Pivoting, for example, doesn’t offer the possibility of an explosive finish to a competition like a short-range left hook does. Nor does the pivot attract attention in the same way that it dodges an attack using deft slips and ducks. Therefore, in producing this article (and the associated video), I am trying to provide unequivocal proof that the pivot is the most versatile skill a boxer uses, providing options to confuse many opponents. Here it goes …
Below are three examples of pivot use during a boxing competition. There are many more, but I think these examples are enough to win the case and keep you reading and learning the correct mechanics of the movement:
- In front of you is a boxer who closes the field very fast and pushes you into a close-range battle. You don’t feel comfortable and your opponent is extremely strong and powerful, seeking to use force to push you back. Using the pivot allows you to cancel your opponent’s force by deflecting his line of attack without you having to retreat. You are free to launch short-range shots without having to give way to your opponent’s greater strength.
- You are competing against an opponent who is extremely talented on the retreat, but does not offer the same threat on the front foot. You can try to chase your opponent, cutting the ring, but you are aware that by doing so you will be fighting against the strength of your opponent. Then what do you do? You take the center of the ring, maintaining your position by turning to follow your opponent, and you are ready for the inevitable attack; By not attacking your opponent, it stands to reason that he has to attack you at some point! You are controlling your environment using the simple pivot.
- You are fighting in retreat against an opponent whose main objective is to back you up against the ropes and crush you within an inch of your life. Given the intensity of your opponent’s attack, you are aware of the potential to achieve this destructive goal! Solution? Every time you feel the ropes brush against your back, you combine a pivot with a duck and spin away from danger, letting your opponent hit the fresh air.
I could go on, the options are vast, to say the least. So I’ll assume for now that you are convinced of the pivot’s utility and versatility and are eager to know exactly how to execute this warrior’s stealth maneuver. Okay, check out the mechanics and common faults below and let me have any questions via the comment option.
The mechanics of the pivot:
To perform this superior skill, follow the steps outlined below:
To turn left:
From the boxing stance, push from the rear (right) foot and let the front foot roll over the ball. The goal is to change our baseline (the line from the toe of the front foot to the heel of the rear foot) by 45 degrees. The front foot rotates in place allowing the rear foot to move to the left. The posture is maintained throughout the skill.
To turn right:
From the boxing position, rotate the front foot in place and allow the rear foot to come up. The same 45 degree shift occurs, only this time to the right. Don’t be tempted to let the weight of your body go over the front leg, your weight should stay in the center or on the back leg … as always!
Common failures with the pivot
There are very few mechanics performed when pivoting. For this reason, the number of commonly identifiable faults is similarly small. In fact, there is only one common flaw, but it is common and it is definitely serious! All elements of the posture must be maintained at all times during the movement. This means that you do not cross (with the back foot) and do not allow the weight of your body to be transferred to (over) the front leg.
The short-range left hook and short-range right hook are good shots to pair with the pivot. In terms of body movement, look at the duck.
