The Elegance of Savate: Combining Technique with Strategy

While our gym in Austin focuses primarily on Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we believe in the value of understanding various martial arts.

Today, we’re exploring Savate, a lesser-known but highly sophisticated French kickboxing style that emphasizes the perfect blend of technique and strategy.

What is Savate?

Savate, also known as French boxing or French foot fighting, is a combat sport that uses both the hands and feet as weapons. It combines elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques, all executed with a distinct flair that reflects its European origins.

The Origins of Savate

Savate’s roots can be traced back to the early 19th century in France. It evolved from a street fighting method used by sailors and street toughs, incorporating techniques from various European fighting styles. Over time, it was refined into an elegant combat sport, gaining popularity among the upper classes and eventually becoming a respected martial art.

Technique: The Backbone of Savate

What sets Savate apart is its emphasis on clean, precise techniques. Here are some key elements:

1. Footwork: Savate practitioners, known as “tireurs,” are known for their nimble footwork. This allows for quick entries and exits, setting up both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
2. Kicking Techniques: Unlike many Asian martial arts, Savate kicks are typically delivered with the shoe. This leads to unique kicking mechanics, including:

• Chassé: A piston-like side kick
• Fouetté: A roundhouse kick delivered with the toe of the shoe
• Coup de pied bas: A low kick targeting the shin or calf

1. Punching Techniques: Savate incorporates boxing-style punches, including jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts. These are often used to set up kicks or as counters.
2. Defensive Movements: Savate emphasizes evasion over blocking, with practitioners often using slight body movements to avoid attacks.

Strategy: The Mind of a Savate Fighter

While the techniques of Savate are impressive, it’s the strategic element that truly defines the art. Here’s how Savate combines technique with strategy:

1. Distance Management: Savate fighters are masters of controlling distance. They use their footwork to stay just out of range of their opponent’s attacks while remaining close enough to launch their own.
2. Timing and Rhythm: A key strategic element in Savate is disrupting the opponent’s rhythm while maintaining your own. This is achieved through varied timing of attacks and strategic use of feints.
3. Combination Planning: Savate emphasizes clever combinations that mix hand and foot techniques. A common strategy is to use punches to set up powerful kicks.
4. Adaptability: Like Jeet Kune Do, Savate stresses the importance of adapting to your opponent. Tireurs are trained to quickly assess an opponent’s style and adjust their strategy accordingly.
5. Energy Conservation: The elegant movements in Savate are not just for show. They’re designed to be efficient, allowing fighters to conserve energy for long matches.

Training Methods in Savate

Savate training methods reflect its dual emphasis on technique and strategy:

1. Technical Drills: Practitioners spend significant time perfecting individual techniques, focusing on clean execution and proper form.
2. Partner Work: Much of Savate training involves working with a partner, allowing practitioners to develop timing, distance management, and strategic thinking.
3. Sparring: Known as “assault” in Savate, sparring is crucial for developing real-world application of techniques and strategies.
4. Footwork Drills: Given the importance of movement in Savate, specific drills are used to develop quick, precise footwork.
5. Mental Training: Strategy discussions and fight analysis are often incorporated into training to develop the strategic mind of a Savate fighter.

Savate in the Modern Martial Arts Landscape

While not as widely known as some other kickboxing styles, Savate has much to offer the modern martial artist:

1. Unique Techniques: The shoe-based kicking techniques of Savate can add new weapons to a fighter’s arsenal.
2. Strategic Thinking: The emphasis on strategy in Savate can benefit practitioners of any martial art.
3. Efficient Movement: The graceful, efficient movements of Savate can improve overall movement quality for fighters.
4. Cultural Exchange: Learning Savate offers insight into a unique aspect of European martial arts history.

Incorporating Savate Principles in Your Training

Even if you’re not training in Savate specifically, you can benefit from its principles:

1. Focus on Clean Technique: Take time to perfect your form, aiming for clean, efficient movements.
2. Develop Strategic Thinking: Start analyzing your sparring sessions, thinking about how you can use strategy to overcome physically stronger opponents.
3. Improve Your Footwork: Dedicate time to footwork drills. Good movement is crucial in any martial art.
4. Experiment with Combinations: Try creating combinations that flow seamlessly between hand and foot techniques.
5. Practice Distance Management: Work on controlling the distance between you and your opponent, a skill that’s valuable in any fighting style.

Conclusion

Savate’s elegant blend of refined technique and cunning strategy offers a unique perspective in the world of martial arts. While we may not offer specific Savate classes at Fighting Fit Kickboxing & Jiu Jitsu in Austin, many of its principles align with our approach to martial arts training.

Whether you’re a seasoned kickboxer looking to add some French flair to your game, or a beginner intrigued by the strategic depth of combat sports, the principles of Savate can enhance your martial arts journey.

Remember, true mastery in any martial art comes not just from physical technique, but from the strategy and mindset behind it. As they might say in a Savate salle (training hall), “Ce n’est pas la taille du combattant dans le combat, c’est la taille du combat dans le combattant.” (It’s not the size of the fighter in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the fighter.)

Join us at Fighting Fit Kickboxing & Jiu Jitsu in Austin, where we appreciate and incorporate strategic elements from various martial arts into our training. Let’s work together to develop not just your body, but your mind as a martial artist.