This is the 10th video that I have published in 90-Second Boxing Tips series and is one that I know will allow you to add another dimension to your boxing. If you are looking for new ideas for attacking boxing, or inspiration for defensive boxing, then the boxing pivot is for you. The boxing pivot is very often overlooked, primarily I think because people are too often focused on big punches and fancy footwork. The boxing pivot is functional but when performed correctly is a truly beautiful boxing skill that is the trademark of the top fighters. Here’s the video then some key points on the boxing pivot below: When using the pivot keep the movement economic and fluid. This means that your back foot is the primary trigger when pivoting to the left or the right.
- You can pivot from your start position up to 90 degrees in either direction. 45 degrees is common and you can pivot anything as minimal as 5 degrees. It’s really all about creating your angles, keeping your opponent in the firing line and being elusive.
- DO NOT pivot 180 degrees. I’ve seen a number of ‘online coaches’ advising a 180 degrees pivot – I am at a loss as to why, it simply makes no sense to me because of simple physics and is thus a very silly concept.
- Combining the boxing pivot with a lead hand left hook is a fantastic skill, often referred to as the check hook. You can deliver a stinging punch at the same time as changing your position, boxing genius.
I hope that this latest in the series of 90 Second Boxing Tips has ‘hit the spot’. Let me have your thoughts, questions or comments below. Click here if you would like to view a longer video about the pivot in boxing. Cheers Fran
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Simple but effective.
Thanks Kris…all the best stuff is 🙂
Thanks to your videos, I have finally been able to understand and use the mechanics of body weight shifts. It has made a really big difference to my speed, flow, slippiness and ability to set up shots. Thank you!
You are very welcome, thanks for your feedback!
Hi Fran, good videos, cover both ‘passive and active pivot situations’, as I see it. From the quick slip (passive) pivot, which takes one out of the way of the ‘path and flailing fists’ of the overly enthusiastic novice. Who charges out of their corner, straight across the ring – to overwhelm their unprepared opponent – with the bout being stopped in the first minute – under the term of being ‘unable to defend themselves’. Which is very disconcerting for those ‘newbies’ – who never got a chance to get started. When it really should say, ‘defendant was unable to come to terms quickly enough with the ‘handbag slapping’ they got – while the Ref was ‘too embarrassed to let it all continue’. To which we can add, remedy, find a new coach, and ‘practice pivots’ like Fran demonstrates – getting out of the way, off-footing, turning the tables, and taking the ‘wind out of the sails’ of this type of opponent. Much helped by a passing ‘peppering of jab and hook.
After which, take ‘centre of ring’, as Fran says, and apply the (active) pivot, lead foot always facing-up the opponent, using pivot and jabs, to either – ‘keep opponent on the periphery of the Ring’, ‘backed up into a corner’ – or ‘if charged’ slip back into (passive) pivot, as ‘fore mentioned’. And remember, in the amateurs, while ‘pivoting and slipping’ may impress judges, from a skills point of view, or count as a ‘domineering factor in the ring and over your opponent’ – it doesn’t exactly score points. And may be judged as a negative factor, on the run, just surviving, or not participating. So make sure if you can, to embellish your pivots, with the odd peppering of passing jab, cross, hook, loopy uppercuts, or nifty combinations. All of which Fran illustrates and demonstrates so well on this site.
Cheers Fran, hope my comments make some sense, get ‘thinking boxers thinking’ some more, and studying UR demo videos.
Alexander
Excellent. I do so love your colourful and descriptive comments Alexander, they really add a depth to the site. Love the passive/active descriptor, that will really help people categorise the skills. Thanks.
PS – following Lochend Boxing Club on Facebook – cool place 🙂
Great video fran as allways, we was working on this the other night with the boxers going backwards till back leg touches ropes then pivot and punsch, really effective move, looking forward to the infighting package, mark
Perfect Mark. If I had more than 90 seconds the touch rope pivot away would be next up for discussion. Maybe a full 90 second vid around staying off the ropes.
Yeah fran sounds good, keep them coming mate
Cheers, will do
Great video and I can’t wait to watch more of your videos on my journey to learn how to box. I have a general question. How come boxing trainers don’t emphasize defense, slipping, or footwork drills that much if at all for beginners? Instead they just have you throw punches, and hit mits. At least the ones I have been to. But they will let get in the ring and bang it out with no skill.
Hi John
I and the vast majority of boxing coaches I know work drills every night in the gym – footwork drills, punching/movement drills, tech drills – you name it.
Hi Fran,
The 90 sec videos are brilliant. Straight to the point, highly effective. Outstanding!
Regards
Peter
Thanks Pete. I hope you are well by the way.
Great video Fran. Thank you. I like the check hook especially. I was just thinking , when you’re pivoting the opposite way can you throw say a right hook to the head or the body? Or maybe it’s too dangerous to do so?
You can Paulie, but there’s more involved and it won’t feel as ‘natural’. Doing it at close range is probably preferable.
Cheers for the question mate.