Life Pivotal

Life Pivotal

Boxing Footwork and Pivoting - Boxing's Best Kept Secret!

About Pivoting in Boxing

The pivot is the most overlooked of boxing techniques.  The main reason that the pivot is overlooked is that on the face of it the pivot is not a ‘glamorous' skill.  Pivoting does not 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.  Therefore, in producing this article (and the associated video) I am seeking I am seeking to  provide unequivocal proof that the pivot is the single most versatile skill that a boxer uses, providing options to confound many an adversary.  So here goes…

Below are three examples of pivoting being used during a boxing contest.  There are many more, but I think that these examples are enough to win the case and ge you to read on and learn the correct mechanics of the move:

• You are faced by a fighter who closes the ground very quickly and pulls you into a short-range battle.  You're not comfortable and your opponent is extremely strong and powerful, looking to use strength to push you back.  Using 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 competing against an opponent who is 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; by not attacking your opponent, it stands to reason that he will have to attack you at some point!  You are controlling your environment by using the simple pivot.
• You're fighting on the retreat against an opponent whose primary objective 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 ropes 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 and are eager to know exactly how to execute this warrior's stealth manoeuvre?  OK, check out the mechanics and common faults below and let me have any questions via the comments option!

The Mechanics of Pivoting in Boxing

Click on this link to view the associated video tutorial on Boxing Techniques - Footwork - the Pivot.

To perform this top skill, follow the steps outlined below:

Pivoting to the Left:

From the boxing stance, 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 skill.

Pivoting to the Right:

From the boxing stance, 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 Pivoting

Click on this link to view the associated video tutorial on Boxing Techniques - Footwork - the Pivot.

There are very few mechanics executed when pivoting.  For this reason, the number of commonly identifiable faults are likewise few.  In actual fact, there's only one common fault, but it is common and it is most definitely 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 (over) the front leg.

Other boxing techniques that work very well with the pivot are the hooks, uppercuts and a duck.

About the Author

I've been involved in boxing for over 30 years, 15 as a competitor and the same as a coach.  I have been curious for quite some time as to whether I could create a unique resource on the Web; a blog that can provide a structured framework for learning how to box.  From throwing the perfect boxing jab, to slipping punches to nailing the ideal boxing stance.  Added to this, I explain the core aspects of boxing fitness including using the heavy bag, skipping rope and sparring.  My blog continues to grow in popularity and is helping interested people all over the world!

An event in your life that changed you?

Many of us experience things that change us and make us appreciate things alot more than we did before. A good example for me was when I lost a friend of mine years ago to a drunk driver. He was very young and it made me appreciate the life I do live and it is a reminder that we are all mortal and life can end in an instant. What pivotal events have happened in your life that made you stop and think about how you perceive things in life?

Working a full-time, 48hour per week job and barely being able to support myself has changed me. At the age of 17, I had a high school, mathematics, tutor help me with euclidean geometry. He said to me, "You live a sheltered life and it is not good. You are very lax. You do just enough to scoot-on-by." I have been living off of $9.50/hour for the past two years. I have realized that people who are unproductive usually believe in death and destruction. I believe in applying myself to the world because I am not about death and destruction. Working has changed my view on life.

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