The Australian Savate Federation Inc strongly adheres to the adage -

“The art should fit the person,

the person should not have to fit the art.”

 

It is for this reason the ASF Inc promotes the 3 disciplines that savate has traditionally been grouped into. These being the sport, self-defence and weaponry components.

Our savate training programmes are available to students and instructors to learn no matter what system of martial arts they practise or promote. Individuals who graduated as a qualified instructor in one of the ASF training modules are encouraged to include savate as a separated and exciting “add on” programme within their already existing club syllabus.

The Australian Savate Federation Inc promotes the following disciplines of Savate.

 

 SAVATE-kickboxing

 

Charles Lecour, a student of Michel Pisseux, developed  savate - kickboxing  during the mid 1830s. After studying English boxing under Adams and Smith two  highly respected instructors of the era, Lecour integrated the skills of English boxing with those of  la savate (a French street fighting system that emphasized the use of low line street kicks as a primary weapon of attack.) This new amalgamation resulted in la savate being renamed la boxe Française or French boxing.

 

Due to the aristocrat’s involvement with French boxing and the later integration of chausson ( a southern French system that was based on high kicking and practised more for recreation than self -defence) more sophisticated kicking techniques were included along with wrestling and cane fencing.

Today  savate -kickboxing is promoted as amateur sport based on the Charlemont system. The sport may be amended and completed ‘only’ by the French federation. 

There are 2 levels of competition.

1. assaut- which is based on light touches, precision of hits, and techniques.

     View assaut footage here

     2.  combat - where hits are delivered with full force.

    View combat footage here

There are several distinct  differences between savate and other system of kickboxing . Savate practitioners must progress through a technical grading syllabus prior to being eligible to participate in competition or teach savate. Each grade is represented by the symbol of a coloured ‘gant’ or glove.  The first 5 grades begin with the blue glove (novice grade)  and progress through to green, red, white and yellow glove.

The examination to achieve each coloured glove is based on 3 components which are performed with a partner. These 3 components must consist of specific savate skills that are listed within the technical requirements and regulations of the French Federation. The 3 parts of a grading are

1. ’Form’ -which comprise the execution of combinations both in attack and defence.

2. ‘Sparring with a theme’- sparring which follows a specific tactical theme.

3. ‘Free sparring’- the technical aspects displayed are privileged and the control of all    hits mandatory.

 The next 3 grades in savate technical progression are the silver gloves. These are the superior ranks of  progression and require a high technical level to the point of master. There are 3 different degree’s of ’silver glove’ , these being silver glove 1st degree, silver glove 2nd degree and silver glove 3rd degree.

 

“Chaussures’ or sturdy wrestling type boots are worn by savateurs when they compete. This specialized footwear permits various sections of the boot to be used as points of percussion when delivering certain kicks. Sometimes referred to as “the thinking person’s kickboxing” the sport is challenging from tactical viewpoint. Offering a unique history, educational grading system and comprehensive training syllabus,  savate - kickboxing is ideal for men, woman, and children.

For information regarding training and teaching opportunities, gradings and  competing in Australian savate competitions contact Craig Gemeiner

email- australiansavate@hotmail.com

Mob ph - 0410 782 994

SAVATE SELF-DEFENCE

 

Savate self-defence is a generalized term use to describe the systems  of savate that are based on personal protection or self-defence.

In the early 1900s savate would undergo another change this time brought about by the increasing crimes perpetrated by Parisian street gangs known as apaches (pronounce ah-PAHASH).  Often referred to as a plague, these hoodlums terrorized France before spreading through out Europe. Many law- abiding citizens turned to savate instructors for assistance in combating this epidemic of violence. As a direct result, a specific method of self-defence was developed that maximized savate’ s full complement of self-defence techniques . This new system of French self-defence was referred to as Defense dans la rue .

 

The various skills that made up the original system of defense dans la rue consisted of the low line kicking techniques pertaining to the Lecour system of  savate, English bare knuckle boxing, selected grappling maneuvers from la lutte( French wrestling) and several basic skill sets from Jujitsu. Weapon training included, among other thing, the use of the couteau, epee, and la canne(walking stick) as well as the improvised combat application of the jacket, belt, scarf, umbrella and even the hat.

 

This new method of personal combat became quite fashionable to learn, and today the self-defence system of savate is making  a comeback. Like savate -kickboxing, savate self-defence contains a comprehensive grading syllabus and training curriculum making it suitable for both men and women.

View savate self defence footage here

SAVATE WEAPONRY

Traditionally savate weaponry consisted primarily of both la canne(walking stick) and baton(two handed long stick), of which there are various styles in existence. These weapons were adopted into the traditional savate gyms or salles of the 1800s and today, depending on the systems one study’s, can be practised for self-defence or competition, or as an academic fencing method.

The Australian Savate Federation Inc recognizes all systems of la canne.

View la canne Vigny  footage here

View la canne de Combat - sport-  footage here