Pivots are one of the most important techniques in street fighting. At least they are in the dojo. Practicing pivots gives you flexibility in movement on the street. As with any drill, there are precise movements - 45-degree pivots, 90-degree, 180- and 360-degree pivots. Nobody expects you to measure them on the street. But - through muscle memorization - you will train yourself in the dojo how to better move your body when attacked.
Golden Dragon rule #1 - avoid the attack. Get the heck out of the way! Your opponent is attempting to strike or kick a target, usually on your center meridian. MOVE THE TARGET! By pivoting out of the way you do two things, change the target so the opponent doesn't reach the bullseye and reposition your intercepting arm closer to the opponent. That might mean a strike with the fist or a grab with the hand, or just a palm parry to push the opponent's attacking arm away from you.
Many times in a real confrontation your pivot will not look like it does in practice. That's okay. A simple boxer's stance with old fashioned "bobbing and weaving" will do the same job. Move the target...
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