Pivot Lead

How to throw it

Plant on your lead foot and swing your rear foot around toward your lead side, rotating your body to face a new angle while your lead foot stays the anchor. Keep your knees bent and guard up through the turn so you stay covered and balanced. Finish squared to the opponent from the fresh angle, ready to strike or defend.

When to use it

Pivot on the lead foot to change your angle and slide off the opponent's centre line while staying in range. It is how you take a dominant angle after slipping or blocking, turning their side toward you.

Common mistakes

• Pivoting flat-footed instead of on the ball of the lead foot, which stalls the turn
• Standing tall through the pivot and losing balance as you rotate
• Letting the guard fall open during the spin so the new angle costs you cover