About The Pivot In Boxing
Before you watch the video, I think it will benefit you to read these few points. Keep reading….
The pivot is one of those often overlooked aspects of boxing. The main reason that the boxing pivot is overlooked is that on the face of it the pivot is not a ‘glamorous’ skill. The pivot doesn’t for instance offer the potential for an explosive end to a contest as does a short range left hook. Nor does the pivot catch the eye in the same way that evading an attack by using deft slips and ducks can. So, if there’s one thing I’d like this article to achieve, it’s to provide proof that the pivot is the single most versatile skill that a boxer uses, providing options to unlock many an adversary. So here goes…
Here’s 3 examples of the pivot being used in a boxing match. There are many more, but I think that these 3 are enough to win the case:
- You’re taking on a boxer who closes the ground very quickly and pulls you into a short-range battle. You’re not very comfortable and your opponent is very strong and powerful, looking to use strength to push you back. Use of the pivot allows you to cancel out the strength of your opponent by deflecting their line of attack without you having to retreat. You are free to unleash short range shots without having to give way to your opponent’s greater strength.
- You’re taking on a boxer who’s supremely talented on the retreat but doesn’t offer the same threat on the front foot. You can attempt to chase your opponent down, cutting off the ring, but you are aware that by doing this you’ll be fighting to your opponent’s strength. So what do you do? You take the centre of the ring, maintaining your position by pivoting to follow your opponent, and you are ready for the inevitable attack. You are controlling your environment by using the simple pivot.
- You’re fighting on the back foot, with an opponent whose goal is to back you to the ropes and smash you to within an inch of your life. Given the intensity of your opponent’s attack, you are aware of the potential for this destructive goal being achieved! Solution? Every time you feel the rope even brush against your back, you combine a pivot with a duck and spin away from danger, leaving your opponent to punch fresh air.
I could go on, the options are wide-ranging to say the least. So I’ll assume for now that you are sold on the usefulness and versatility of the pivot in boxing and are now eager to know exactly how to execute this warrior’s stealth manoeuvre. Check out the video, read the supplementary points below and let me have any questions via the comments option!
The Mechanics Of The Pivot In Boxing
To perform this gem of a skill, follow the steps outlined below:
To Pivot to the Left
- From the boxing stance position, push from the back foot (right) and allow the front foot to spin on it’s ball.
- The objective is to shift our baseline (the line from the toe on the front foot to the heel on the back foot) through 45 degrees. The front foot rotates on the spot enabling the back foot to move across the the left. The stance is retained throughout the pivot.
To Pivot to the Right
- From the boxing stance position, spin the front foot on the spot and allow the back foot to lift.
- The same shift of 45 degrees takes place, only this time to the right. Don’t be tempted to allow your body weight to go over the front leg, your weight should remain central or on the back leg…as always!
Common Faults When Executing The Pivot In Boxing
Given that there are very few steps in executing the boxing pivot, the number of commonly identifiable faults are likewise few. Well, actually, there’s only one…but it’s serious. All elements of the stance must be maintained at all times throughout the move. This means that you don’t step across (with the back foot) and you don’t allow your body weight to transfer to the front leg.
The short range left hook, the short range right hook are good shots to combine with the pivot. In terms of body movement, check out the duck.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this article along with the video. It’d be great to hear your thoughts, especially if you could nail other opportunities for using the boxing pivot. Think laterally. Could the pivot be used in a Muay Thai or MMA bout, or would holding and grappling take over? Is the pivot more effective as an attacking tool, or a defending tool? The floor is yours…
Cheers
Fran
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think pivoting is pretty widely used in both mma and muay thai for similar reasons, although your movement looks especially economical. I will work to emulate that.
Pivoting while clinching is a pretty critical technique in muay thai (though not seen as much in mma). At outer clinch range, pivoting while cross-pushing on the back of the opponent’s head is an effective way to evade a rushing opponent while throwing them significantly off balance. In close range clinch work, pivoting is also used to off balance the opponent. If done with the right timing, they will find themselves diving straight to the floor.
Good examples of both of these techniques can be seen in a recent mt fight in Thailand. Check at about 8:46 and 11:50. You can’t quite see the footwork, but you can infer it from the sharp twist in Lerdsilla’s hips: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbqf0g_singdam-kiat-moo-vs-leudsila-chumpe_sport
I’d like to work on using pivoting more defensively to deal with very aggressive opponents (my weakness). A jab-pivot/cross is one of my staple offensive techs.
I’d love to see more footwork posts, but everything you do is interesting and helpful.
Nice exmple of the use of the pivot in Muay Thai. Interesting to note that both examples of the pivot involved full 90 degree spins, and the fight was pretty much in the centre of the ring. A boxer is more likely to use the full 90 degree pivot when backed to the ropes because when the opponent knows that you can’t retreat any further, then the attack is likely to be more committed/aggressive leaving the attacker vulnerable to the pivot. In both your examples, Lerdsilla ‘pulls’ his opponent toward him, I guess that this recreates the attacking commitment of the boxer. Interesting parallel.
Yes, I definitely noticed that your pivots were 45 degrees instead of a full 90 as I think I have usually been instructed. I think a full 90 is rarely done in practice though, and the inclusion of kicks makes it even more difficult to escape when backed against the ropes.
The clinch throw Lerdsilla used is a combination of pulling back and pivoting that is fairly unique to Muay Thai.
The longer range “pull and pivot” is as you suggest, augmenting their commitment to forward motion. Is there a regulation in boxing that would prohibit this technique? Off-balancing and then striking an opponent is rated pretty highly by the judges in Thailand, though not so much in the states.
There are quite strict rules regarding holding an opponent; in amateur boxing it’s not tolerated at all and the boxer will be disqualified after maybe 1 verbal and 2 official warnings (point deductions). The use of a feint when backed to the ropes can often make an opponent over-commit, thereby enhancing the effects of the 90 degree pivot (and the subsequent opportunities provided). The 45 degree pivots are used extensively during infighting and are more subtle but no less effective. Excellent observation of comparisons, thanks very much for your invaluable input!
great post thanks
The pivot is a a fundamental skill, very effective unless it becomes a pattern, in which case it can be “predicted” and intercepted with stunning effect – Wlad Klitschko against Chris Byrd for example. On the other hand, a well timed pivot with a left hook counter – Mayweather against Ricky Hatton – would be a textbook maneuver, the famous “check hook”. Some say that pivot punches are illegal in boxing, but “the pivot punch” that was banned was the spinning back fist, what could be wrong with a legal punch after or during the pivot you demonstrated?
Hi Ivan. Good comment.
The pivot punch is absolutely legal in boxing, and in fact is a highly regarded and effective skill. As long as the shot lands correctly (i.e. knuckle part of the glove), then it’s legal. The back hand I think was banned because of the potential for causing cuts because of the stitching of the glove.
I was going to put together an article on the belief of many that body shots are not scored in modern amateur boxing. I think that your clever comment may very well have expanded the scope of that article.
Thanks Ivan
One easy way I can see using this is pretty simple- opponent jabs, slip to the outside of said jab, pivot and throw a full blown hook to the target of choice.
That’s a good approach Dave. You could even draw that opponent’s jab with a feint or your own jab. Simplicity is a fine thing in boxing.