World Academy Savate Glove Grading.

The London Savate World Academy grading syllabus offers members the opportunity to train towards a high standard of Savate.
Our syllabus is a close interpretation of the French national syllabus, which is used around the world as a gold standard. The following syllabus has been created specially for our Academy. Other syllabuses you may encounter each belong to a national federation, whereas we work across international boundaries. NB if you live in a country with its own Savate Federation you may have a local syllabus to work towards.
- Blue Glove. I touch and I am not touched in reply.
- Green Glove. I am not touched then I touch in reply.
- Red Glove. I am not touched then I touch on a different line.
- White Glove. I touch before being touched.
- Yellow Glove. I create an opportunity to touch.
- Silver Glove. Mastery.
There are 3 degrees per Glove, plus an Assaut section.
Language.
Understanding this syllabus should not require any French language ability. This principle has been adopted in order to test more clearly the features we consider important – those of the sport of Savate. This syllabus is therefore written in English, using a few French labels which cannot be analysed or translated. A thorough or conscientious student may choose to learn the French as well. We encourage students to use their native language to describe the techniques, deferring to the French terms only for the labels. That way, native language can be used to aid understanding, without unnecessary clouding.
Kicks.
There are four kicks named in French which cannot be translated and will always be written and pronounced (with accents) as follows. These cannot and should not be translated as, e.g., whip kick, push kick, reverse kick, or sweep, for these are not exact.
- Fouetté
- Chassé
- Revers
- Coup-de-pied-bas. (Hyphenated in this syllabus to render it unanalysable).
Footwork.
The two named footwork techniques are preserved in the French. Again, they name a distinctive move that is best not translated. Understanding the sense of the word, however, will help to comprehend the technique.
- Décalage. Shifting, making a gap. Example usage: Décalage horaire means ‘timezone’.
- Débordement. Outflanking. Example usage: a military outflanking the opposition; or a river overflowing.
Punches.
Punches may be named in English. This accords with the history of the development of Savate. There is, however, some ambiguity in the English terms. For example, ‘jab’ and ‘straight left’ are sometimes used interchangeably, some practitioners distinguish them. ‘Cross’ was originally a counter punch, nowadays any straight rear hand. The French terminology is somewhat clearer here, so the English pronunciation of ‘direct’ is employed. The French term ‘crochet’ was translated out of the English, so ‘hook’ is retained. ‘Uppercut’ has not been endowed with its own French translation in any case.
- Direct
- Hook
- Uppercut;
Strike descriptions.
There are several descriptive terms which are very commonly used in French as adjectives next to the strikes. In this syllabus they can be employed in French or English. Students should know the French term, but might find it easier to to retain their native language when training.
- Bas / low
- Médian / middle
- Haut / figure / high
- Avant / front
- Arrière / rear
This syllabus uses ‘front’ and ‘rear’ rather than ‘left’ and ‘right’ in order to retain accuracy when dealing with southpaw, false guard, or left-handed fighters.
The descriptive terms for kick trajectory have the same spelling in both English and French. In this syllabus, the pronunciation may follow the English, for ease of comprehension:
- Lateral
- Frontal
Tournant has been translated as ‘turning’.
Defences.
- Esquive – in this syllabus, translated as ‘escape’.
- Parade chassée – in this syllabus, translated as ‘parry’.
- Parade bloquée – in this syllabus, translated as ‘block’.
Other words.
- Assaut – sparring, or free play.
- En garde – get ready.
- Allez! – go.
Auxiliary terms that are not needed in French. It is preferred always to express these in English (or student’s native language), for ease of comprehension.
- Ou / or
- Même / same
- Autre / other
- Recule / backwards
The technique section asks you to do an imposed technique, given in the syllabus, with your partner.
The role which is relevant to the grading is the one assessed – e.g. in Green Glove it is the candidate who is making the reply (I am not touched and touch in reply).
Where the syllabus is deliberately under-defined, you are encouraged to express all the variety available, as follows:
- Where a height (bas/médian/figure low/middle/high), segment (avant/arrière front/rear), or orientation (frontal/lateral) IS NOT specified, candidate should choose from the legal interpretations and attempt to display the variety available.
- Where a height (bas/médian/figure low/middle/high), segment (avant/arrière front/rear), or orientation (frontal/lateral) IS specified, candidate is obliged to perform it that way and will lose points according to any inaccuracy in their reading.
- Examples:
- ‘Chassé mid’ implies a chassé at strictly middle height which can be frontal or lateral; front or rear leg, turning or not.
- ‘Fouette’ implies strictly a fouetté but with either the front or rear leg; low, middle, or high.
- Etc.
- NB. a forward slash ‘/’ implies an OR selection between techniques.
- Themed Assaut rounds should look like Assaut – that is, freestyle play.
- The theme itself should be performed (and will be scored) 5-8 times only across the round.
- The rest of the round should be legal, relatively uneventful Savate Assaut.
- The theme and its frequency might be thought of as acting on the advice of a corner during a round of a fight.
- The free Assaut rounds should use only legal technique and represent a good standard appropriate to the level of grade you are taking.
- Free Assaut rounds are scored on technical attributes and not on which candidate ‘won’.
- Online gradings, like any other, require work, dedication, and extended periods of training to pass.
- Online examinations are set at the same high standard as in-person.
- Online examinations are by invitation only and require an interview to gauge preparedness.
- Blue Glove can be attempted after a minimum of 3 months, Green over 6-12 months, and Red over the course of 12-24 months, if candidate motivated and capable of doing so.
- On invitation, you will be given access to a course which will guide you through recording a video for each section of your grading, about 5-10 minutes per section, and submit it online via our system.
- You will have the grading guide video playing on one device while you record your techniques using another
- Partner. Even if you train solo, gradings must be done with a suitable, vetted partner (usually another candidate).
- Preparedness. Only students who have evidence of regular training and who are known to us will be invited to grade when they are ready.
- Safety. A risk-assessed area with safety precautions taken and correct Savate equipment is required.
- Covid. All local laws including Covid-19 restrictions must be adhered to.
- Space. Clear, safe 3m x 3m flat training space. Outdoors can be acceptable if the surface is even.
- Video. Ability to record clear, high-definition video in good lighting which captures full frame of both fighters. (NB. Depending on your lens you will need to position camera few metres outside the 3m x 3m space you train in).
- Online Savate Glove grading is judged to the same high standards as in-person gradings.
- We believe successful candidates are graded on at least par with others ranked at the same Glove level worldwide.
- Each round is scored on the following columns: Defence. Trajectory. Rhythm. Movement. Precision. Variety.
- Gradings are invigilated by international Silver Glove, Professeur, and former World Champion James Southwood.
- Videos may be forwarded to a second, trusted, confidential examiner for opinion, especially in the case of close calls.
- Payment of the examination fee is NOT a guarantee of a pass, but components may be re-attempted without incurring further costs.
Successful candidates will receive a certificate displaying:
‘London Savate World Academy
(Colour) Glove,
Syllabus.
- Blue GloveInitiation
- Green GloveInitiation
- Red GloveImprovement
- White GloveImprovement
- Yellow GloveMastery
- Silver GloveExpertise

I am not touched then I touch by changing line.
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