Pivoting

Pivoting is a way to change direction from one stance to another without taking a step by rotating body's center of mass around its axis. For example, one can pivot from a left lead horse stance to a right lead horse stance by pivoting the upper body. The stance may change during a pivot, such as from a left lead horse to a right lead back stance.

The pivot serves several purposes:

• Assists directional change
• Provides angular acceleration to drive strikes and throws by rotating body mass into the technique
• Assists stance/position change in that may gain distance when needed in defending or close the distance when attacking without having to take steps
• Rotates body in a way that protects vulnerable targets and draws attacker into counters
• Deflects impacts away from vulnerable internal organs as they bounce off the rotating body mass

When the feet rotate during a pivot, the rotation may occur on the balls of the feet or on the heels. Each method has some advantages

Pivoting on the ball of the foot allows one to maintain a strong tendon connection between the ankle and leg, so the leg is stronger in resisting a foot sweep. Persons with limited hip flexibility may upper body rotation easier when pivoting on the ball of the foot. A disadvantage is that there is a tendency to fling the body mass forward while shifting onto the ball, which may cause a loss of balance.

Pivoting on the heel permits greater thrust off the ground, and helps maintain spinal/pelvic alignment for superior balance, however, ankle/tendon connection to the leg is lessened, making the leg more vulnerable to sweeps. Mobility is also lessened because the springing action of the ball/instep is lost. The weight must be transferred to the ball before lunging. In addition, persons with poor waist flexibility may find upper body rotation difficult when pivoting on the heel.