Savate Question

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 9:12am

I was reading this http://www.bullshido.net/forums/show....php?p=1956265 and had a thought.

We at Bullshido who have been here more then a month or two have a list of "good" styles and "bad" styles. However, I was trying to think up a suitably tongue-in-cheek response for the above thread and I was going to add Savate to my list yet I was wondering would Savate be a "good" or "bad" style?

They spar, they compete. Yes the style relies on being shod yet most people have some sort of shoe on for the bulk of their day. It's a fast and agile style. Albeit discouraging strikes.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience and could weigh in on the good/bad debate.

I'm not looking to train Savate this is strictly an academic curiosity.

**pauli** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 9:22am

the primary problem with savate is that it doesn't functionally exist outside of europe.

this is an english langauge, primarily american board. anyone with access to savate is a walking statistical error.

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 9:30am

According to a quick google search there is a US Savate Federation.

http://www.ussavate.org/

Granted it was only formed in 1994.

So Savate must exist outside Europe, yet I see your point.

**ChickenBeakFist** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 9:44am

Do you see a problem here?

YouTube - Championnat du Monde - Savate Combat - 2007

Fighters in good physical condition? Check.

Regular "alive" training? Check.

Full-contact competition? Check.

No kata? Check.

No belief in mysticism or "chi"? Check.

No six-year-old black belts? Check.

Seems to pass the test to me. It's not terribly popular in the States but who cares. Some people give it **** simply because it's French. These people need to get lives.

Are the tights a little precious? Yeah, but not any more than a BJJ gi festooned with racing stripes and flaming skulls or silky Thai shorts.

Final word: Pass

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 9:52am

Thanks CBF, that's along the lines of what I was thinking.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 10:01am

Originally Posted by ignatzami

It's a fast and agile style. Albeit discouraging strikes.

...what? It's kickboxing, all they do is strike.

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 10:02am

Originally Posted by Hesperus

...what? It's kickboxing, all they do is strike.

Strikes as in punches, the rules set favors kicking almost exclusively.

Should have been more clear. Sorry

**Marc Spector** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 11:20am

Savate offers a unique opportunity to learn how to kick people with shoes while dressed like a trapeze artist.

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 12:34pm

Savate is possibly the sexiest alive art I've ever seen.

**Sophist** · Posted On: 10/15/2008 12:54pm

Originally Posted by ignatzami

Strikes as in punches, the rules set favors kicking almost exclusively.

Should have been more clear. Sorry

Not really, they've been big on boxing ever since one of their finest got his arse handed to him by a boxer back in 1830. You'll find plenty of hand striking even in that video that was just posted. It's not like Taekwondo. Clinching, on the other hand, they aren't so big on.

Another savate fight, with quite a lot of punching:
YouTube - SAVATE BOX - KO