The Pivot: the door opens; the door closes

Last night’s boxing class (March 27) featured the use of the pivot. Unlike slips, ducks and rolls, which feel rather foreign to me, the pivot feels very natural. Since the pivot involves swinging the entire body, either forward or backward, I liken it to a door swinging on its hinges. And just like a door can open or close, the pivot can open up a new avenue of attack for you, or it can close off your opponent’s avenue of attack. It seems like a great way to flank your opponent when you’re attacking because you quickly take your attack from  their front to their side. When your opponent is executing a good attack and closing distance on you, the pivot can slam the door on their advance because you move from a position of defense when you’re in their line of attack, to a position of offense when you swing to their side.