In military close quarters combat and close quarters battle pivoting sliding and swiveling in footwork stance and directional changes as well as impact contact enhancement are vitally important.

The pivot is a means of foot work where sound ground contact and stability are maintained while directional changes can be made including utilising target orientation and alignment by means of directional angles changes through pivoting and adjustments.

Pivoting in military close quarters combat has offensive engagement usages in such unarmed offensive assault employments as an escape action leg stamp as well as leg stamp’s with definite or fake actions and oblique or axe stamp kicks.

Pivoting is also used in close range unarmed offensive assault post entry strikes combined with a lead boot sliding action to change the combatants stance from a side stance and guard to a front stance and guard for master hand or master boot finishing components of the close range unarmed offensive assault combinations.

Pivoting is also used extensively in unarmed counter offensive assault as part of sidestepping diagonally forward evasive foot work and parrying diagonally rearward evasive footwork.

In stationary unarmed counter offensive assault the pivot enables the combatant to change from a front stance and guard to a side on front stance and guard and execute lead stamp kick counter engagement.

Counter offensively combating being stalked by maintaining a counter offensive primary reactionary range by edging back and away will maintain a ready status to employ an attack your attacker deception set up stamp kick. This deceptive stamp kick offensive action requires a pivoting transition from front on to side on.

Pivot footwork is also employed counter offensively at point blank body contact range from side on in a forward and reverse diagonal pivot and sliding footwork maneuver setting up stamp kicks to hyperextend the knee joint from the outside.

Pivoting is an important component of resistance and yielding to set up long range unarmed counter offensive assault stamp kicks.

A very important reason behind employing pivot footwork is to reduce the risk of injury to the ankle joint such as sprained ankles during stamp kicks. Simply by pivoting the stability boot rearward so the toe of the boot is pointing vertically away from the enemy target, reduces the risk of ankle sprains common to horizontal stability boot positioning during stamp kick executions.

It is very important that the combatant understands the major fundamentals of employing pivot maneuvers to ensure maximum smooth stable expedient action is achieved. The small squat ready set go combined with minimal rising of the toe and heel of the boot or boots off of the ground surface will enhance smooth swift expedient pivoting and sliding transitions.

Positive grip boot soles and surfaces often restrict flatfoot footwork maneuvers, so it is important to pivot on the balls of the soles of the boots by minimal raising of the toe and heel of the boot or boots depending on the executed combative action.

In knife combat pivoting footwork is essential to evasive and stationary knife combat counter engagement actions as well as offensive actions engaging front and side or front side and rear flanks.

In combative shooting pivoting enables target alignment to be maintained by minimal adjustment and as such increases accuracy and decreases stress in relation to the effects of torsion tension on the body when the boot is planted in one direction and the body is being twisted through resistance rotation in another direction.

Post evasive close quarters combat adjustments to achieve alignment to the target or economical range closing on the target requires pivot maneuvers.

In unarmed combat and combat sports such as boxing staying aligned to an aggressor that is circling can be effectively achieved by pivoting on the lead boot and adjusting the rear boot and as such requires less movement than step and trail boot follow alignment footwork.

Pivoting not only applies to upright close quarters combat but also is an important part of ground combat and detainee handling during suspect decentralisation control and containment as part of seizure securing decentralisation and search practices on the ground including the application of mechanical restraints.

Kneeling positioning on one knee or both knees by pivoting and making adjustments, direction can effectively be changed to meet intended option employment requirements.

Pivoting also applies to ground protection under assault as part of keeping your boots aligned to your enemy to enable stamp kicks from the ground as part of footing recovery and counter engagement.

Such pivoting is executed on your back and buttocks or buttock and side for side enemy alignment and recovery.

It is important to remember when pivoting that both boots must pivot simultaneously to maintain balance and stability ensuring that your shoulder width stance is maintained throughout.

Pivoting should not close in your stance and should not see your boots break shoulder width or touching as this would compromise your stability. The exception to the rule is in offensive actions such as stamp kicks that are initiated from a front stance and end in a side stance as the single movement transition will close the stance during the pivot component.

Pivoting and the execution of some actions such as stamp kicks with a fake or definite action or in stationary cover guarding and stamp kick counter engagement may require the pivot action to be executed in two components depending on situation, terrain and the combatant’s level of competency.

Certainly initially in practice from the small squat for stationary counter engagement pivoting and cover guarding or deflecting to reduce risk and ensure hardcover against assault is employed prior to a continued pivot as part of the stamp kick execution is a common requirement.

In ground combat employments pivoting is required as part of the side fold away from your enemy during dismounting them. Pivoting is part of achieving angle in grapple falling utilizing an oblique wedge stamp kick and ground prop to ensure they fall away from you and not on top of you.

In rear flank unexpected assault such as being garroted or pulled down from behind, pivoting is an important component of threat assessment while maintaining and or regaining stability during sliding and swiveling manoeuvers that allow you to turn and face your enemy as part of counter engagement.

The riot stick or baton as part of offensive actions utilises pivot footwork to transition from side on jabbing actions to front on increased power thrust or slash actions.

Covering and counter engaging side and rear flank threats with the riot stick also requires pivot actions to get aligned to the target and a position of stability where high levels of power and velocity can be transferred to the target.

Pivoting is instructed as part of drills such as technique to command in military close quarters combat not only in the execution of offensive and counteroffensive actions but also to ensure about turns can be achieved to keep the drill to command practice inside the required practice area.

Preventing the enemy from seizing a weapon or equipment pivoting and counter engagement ensures the weapon or equipment is moved away from the enemy.

In weapon retention as part of ensuring the weapon is not taken from you pivoting footwork is part of manipulating the weapon away from your enemy that is endeavoring to take it from you and is also part of zeroing the weapon on your enemy and regaining control of your weapon.

In regention (regaining control of the seized weapon) post increasing your weapon security and resistance against your enemies hold on your weapon pivoting is a major part of the execution of a stamp kick as well as enemy orientation and zeroing your weapon on your target. The pivot is also part of regaining control of the weapon ripping it from the enemy’s grasp.

There is a considerable difference between deliberate definite proficient pivoting as a result of considerable practice and high level competency and emergency pivoting utilised without thought or any high level of competency.

Sliding combative foot work.

Straight line sliding combative foot work enables the maintaining of the shoulder width stance during transitions from side on to front on as well as from front on to side on.

In offensive actions such as the long range unarmed offensive assault stamp kick with escape action, both pivoting and sliding actions are incorporated in the diagonally outward and diagonally inward components that make up the deceptive escape action stamp kick.

At point blank body contact range from a side cover stance and guard during diagonally forward or diagonally rearward transitions to set up stamp kicks or close range strikes from the outside sliding the boot is essential to maintain footing stability.

As part of the slide pivot and swivel transition in close range unarmed offensive assault combinations from a side stance and guard post entry strikes to a front stance and guard to achieve increased power and velocity sliding the lead boot combined with pivoting both boots forward towards the enemy target swiveling the torso and driving ones power and velocity to the target provides the best means of threat neutralization.

Sliding the trailing boot post long range unarmed offensive assault stamp kick options executions is essential to regain a combative stance as well as to maintain forward momentum and in the execution of contingency options.

In leg stamp executions the trailing leg boot points vertically rearward and slides along the ground to reduce drag and injury.

The toes and heel of the boot are marginally off the ground and a ground affinity is maintained by the ball of the sole of the boot to ensure smooth expedient trail boot foot work can be achieved.

The swiveling movement is usually executed by sliding the lead boot in a straight line rearward until the toes of the lead boot are in line with the heel of the rear boot at a shoulder width distance and then both boots are pivoted directly forward towards the target and the offensive action is directed outward or upwards and outwards towards the target. A swivel can be executed from a rear boot forward slide in order to align to required targets.

For specific target alignment usually to achieve outside contact and often in angled offensive executions the rearmost boot in relation to the enemy target from a side stance and cover guard can be moved forward in a straight line until the heel of the rearmost boot is in line with the toe of the forward boot maintaining a shoulder width status, then both boots can be pivoted towards the target as part of swivel power strike or oblique stamp kick action.

During military close quarters combat drill technique to command changes of stance such as changing from one front stance to the opposite front stance are achieved by a lead boot sliding action rearward.

Sliding over stepping on slippery terrain enhances the maintaining of stability and ensures both boots are always in ground contact.

Making adjustments to increase stability and achieve angle or make range utilising sliding actions or combined pivot and sliding actions is economic and provides increased stability and as such safety.

To increase stability from side on, a rear boot forward sliding action can be employed.

It is important to maintain your shoulder width stance by sliding your rear boot directly forward until the heel is inline with the toes of the forward boot.

During any sliding manoeuvre it is vital that your boots maintained your shoulder width stance status and do not compromise your stability by bringing your boots together.

In my early days I was taught circular footwork transitions as part of swivel striking and also in evasive actions.

When I took over as the Master-Chief instructor and re-evaluated the doctrine I considered straight line transitions offensively and counter offensively to be safer more economical and more direct.

Straight line railway line sliding transitions reduce the risk of the loss of balance and stability.

By utilising a straight line sliding lead boot transition when changing from a side stance and guard to a front stance and guard maintains a higher level of hard cover guard protection by simply side cover guard to front cover guard transition. The straight line sliding over utilising a circular lead foot transition reduces the risk of drag or snag boot issues in relation to the terrain.

Swiveling.

Swiveling is the action of turning the torso as part of a simultaneous transition from a side stance and guard to a front stance and guard.

The action is initiated from a small squat ready set status followed by a lead boot slide and both boots pivoting forward towards the target.

The torso hips and buttocks legs neck and head transition by swiveling towards the new front on direction to face the target provide increased power and velocity.

The swiveling action also incorporates a forward driving manoeuvre with transferred power and velocity which is increased by the torque from pivoting both boots and as such swiveling the head body and legs towards the target combined with the driving upward and forward action from the ground towards the target.

The slide pivot swivel and driving upward and outward from the small squat ready set go status is like transitioning from side on at 12 o’clock to a lead boot 9 o’clock position then turning to face the target by pivoting into a front on stance and guard at 12 o’clock. This sliding pivoting turning swiveling and driving forward motion will achieve increased power and velocity and as such impact on the target. note the previous describes a right handed combatant swivel execution.

Swivel transitions to face the target are offensive action reducing the risk of being countered.

In the execution of the less common rear boot forward slide pivot and swivel target alignment and contact, from the start position side on 12 o’clock the rear boot would slide to 3 o’clock then both boots would pivot towards the target ending in a front stance and guard.

Swiveling must incorporate tight hard cover side stance and guard to front stance and guard transitions to maintain the highest levels of safety as part of hard cover guarding.

The execution of master hand strikes post side on entry strikes begins with the small squat then lead boot sliding action followed by both boots pivoting and the swivel manoeuvre which employs the Isosceles triangle principles. Isosceles triangle principles width of boots and shoulders combined with center of mass aligned to target. The new status post slide swivel and pivot will be a frontal stance and cover guard.

To increase power and velocity immediately post the small squat lead boot slide both boots pivoting and bodily swiveling towards the target, the lead boot is flattened out knee over the toes and the rear boot drives upward and outward via the ball of the sole of the boot.

All these components would be employed simultaneously in the correct order of execution to achieve maximum effect and as such objective achievement.

The rear swivel manoeuvre and rear flank centering to your enemy threats are employed in such threats as rear flank assault or being garroted or pulled back and down.

The rear swivel manoeuvre is employed by means of initial resistance pivoting hard cover guarding assessment sliding continued fast mapping assessment on the move and decision-making, swiveling and driving a counter engagement directly at your enemy target.

This turn to face manoeuvre provides cover guard safety and the means to turn and face your enemy as part of a dynamic counter engagement.

Note the rear swivel maneuver can be executed by an angled target alignment as well as a full frontal target alignment. This will provide the capability to employ the most primary option in relation to the specific rear flank required assault.

Foot note. In situations such as closed stance directional movements pivoting requires trailing boot positional adjustments to maintain balance and stability.

Anytime your shoulder width boot status is compromised adjustments are required to regain your primary shoulder width footing status.