Savate

Allez! Savate!

One of the widely recognized types of martial arts is Savate. Here are some facts about Savate that martial arts lovers need to know.
1. In plain words, Savate is a form of boxing and/or martial arts in which kicking and hitting is allowed. It is French martial art that is known in different names such as French boxing, French foot fighting and French kickboxing. The participants in Savate are allowed to use both hands and feet as their weapons. This particular martial art is a mixture of boxing, Western style, and kicking methods.
2. One of the biggest differences of Savate compared with other martial arts is the fact that the participants of this combat wear shoes. In reality, the French word Savate is an “old boot” in English. Savateur is the name referred for a male Savate practitioner. Savateuse is the name for a female Savate practitioner.
3. Savate was originally a form of street-fighting that was done and combated in the dark alleys of Paris and northern part of France. This French martial art was soon recognized worldwide when this was enlisted as one of the demonstration sports in the 1924 Olympic Games that was held in Paris, France. From then on Savate gained fame and is now one of the few martial art types that have federations for the combat’s promotions.
4. Another unique factor of Savate is the martial art’s system of promotions. Unlike other martial arts that use belts to represent the practitioner’s rank, Savate uses colored gloves. Savateurs and savateuses can even use one colored glove up until three ranking promotions whereas practitioners in other martial arts need to change their color belts when they’re promoted to a higher proficiency. There’s no color needed for Savate newbies then according to over-all skill there’s blue, green, red, white and yellow. Technically, the highest rank color glove in Savate is silver but gold gloves are awarded to honorary practitioners who are considered pioneers in this martial art and who had given great recognition in the martial art.
5. As for the techniques in Savate, there are only four kinds of kicks and four kinds of punches allowed.
Four kinds of Savate Kicks
• Chasse’- or “to chase away” in French. This is a type of a throwing kick that can be done frontal or sideways.
• Chasse’ Bas- a kicked aimed at the thigh of the opponent.
• Chasse’ Median- a kicked aimed at the midriff or side part of the opponent.
• Chasse’ Figure- a kicked aimed at the face of the opponent.
Four kinds of Savate Punches
• Croise’- this is a type of cross punch in where the fist of the participant rotates making the back of his/her hand horizontal.
• Croise’ Tete- a punch aimed at the head of the opponent.
• Direct- is a jab.
• Swing- is an uppercut.
6. There are a lot of terminologies used in Savate that only those who studied or practiced the martial art combat understand. For instance, Allez means to go, which is the signal of the referee to the practitioners.

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