The Left Hook- To pivot or not to pivot

I train to pivot because it just feels right and gives much more power. Sometimes I don't pivot though. When I'm throwing multiple hooks, I often keep my foot planted and just rotate my hips a bit, then really pivot and dig in with one of them.

Basically if I'm just looking for speed or I'm just trying to set up my right hand, I won't always pivot.

 

Depends on the situation. If you're looking for power, then you should lean to your left a little bit and pivot on the left foot to get more weight into the punch. But if you just want to land it, without much of an impact, then no. I don't at least.

 

Many elite fighters don't pivot their feet. Watch rigondeaux or Pirog on the pads for example. Trainers who are against pivoting say that pushing off with feet and whipping the hip around does not necessarily require you to pivot your feet, the power is still transfered up the body. They also suggest that pivoting your feet leaves you vulnerable should the punch miss. I pivot cos that's how I was taught, but I believe a lot of pivoting is unecessary.

 

Biomachanicly its a good idea to get into the habit of turning the foot the same direction as the shot. It saves wear on the AC/L also it engages the TFL which directs and speeds the muscles you use for the shot, which wont work without its Flex.

 

I think I get more power into it when I pivot. Thats just my feelings though.

 

i say no pivot if u wana upercut to the head beacause u end up with ur head 2 high and could get hit even freddy agrees

 

If you dont pivot with the foot and knee, the hip cant move :yep.

 

Yes it can, just not as far. But you've gotta remember that the force to generate the quick turn of the hip is coming from your feet pushing against the ground. If you're turning your foot at the same time as your hip you're not really generating much more force you're just using the momentum you've already generated from that intial thrust off the ground. The pivoting just allows you to turn the hip further giving you a greater follow through on the hook. But I've heard trainers argue that turning the foot and the hip that far is unnesessary because the point of impact of the punch is generally prior to this extended follow through thus making it unnecessary and leaving you vulnerable, and also leaving you too far out of position to throw the next punch in the combination. Personally I'm for a bit of pivoting, but I think if you're doing everything else right as far hip and body positioning then exaggerating the pivot is disadvantageous.

 

It depends. I say if you have strong shoulders, and can swing your arm around like a slamming gate, there is no need to pivot.

Some guys naturally pick up their feet on the hook. A pivot with these types can screw up their balance.

Other guys with smooth feet keep their balance on the pivot, which can add a little extra something.

Depends on the fighter. Work with him to a certain degree, but don't screw around with natural balance.

 

I agree with Machine. Of course hips can move without pivoting the feet. Pivoting takes too much of your balance and recovery. Naturally gifted technicians such as Mayweather and Rigondeaux don't pivot their feet. If they did, they wouldn't be able to use their footwork so well.

 

If anything below the Hips dont move, then niether does the Hip. You dont drive of the ground, you drive into it.

 

agreed. You can't move your hips more than 1 inch if your feet doesn't move too.

i disagree with this statement. Pivoting doesn't affect your footwork, it just makes your footwork better.

 

Badr, I agree it gives more angles with good Technique. It makes for a better neurophysical response, through biomechanical Feel, the fastest response we have.

 

Buakaw, explain to me what the Coxxys is and its fundamental position for Balance, the clues are there, I live in a House like that. Like everybody, my Big toes with my inner ear in relation to my Coxxys, gives me Balance. Evevery joint, is there to support the posture and take the Head where it wants to go.