Savate Punches | Boxing with the hands
Savate punches are directly taken from boxing and, although this is predominantly a kicking sport, the ability to use your hands effectively will get you far.
We refer to Savate fighting as boxing, even when we are kicking, and the French even make a distinction by calling boxing (pugilism) boxe anglais. Punching technique in Savate is largely that founded on the Marquis of Queensbury rules (1865-67) and those of the international boxing federations that followed. It is not unusual to use English terms for punches in Savate, while using French words for the kicks, which preserves the split in their origin.
That said, there is an explicit rule which states that boxing (with the hands) cannot predominate over kicking in Savate competition (read more here), and boxing technique scores less well than kicking technique. Nonetheless, boxing is perhaps the most used cross-training for Savate fighters.
List of Savate Punches
The Federation International publishes a rule book which describes legal Savate technique (French language, external link).
Direct
Straight punch, just like a jab or a cross.
Uppercut
Uppercut.
Crochet
Hook.
Example: Direct (straight) Savate punches, demonstrated by head coach James Southwood.
Recent London Savate World Academy online boxing classes
| Title | Date | Summary | Minutes | Categories | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uppercut Counters | 17 May 2021 | Uppercuts are usually too close-range for Savate, but they make great surprise counters. In this … | 42 | Lessons | boxing |
| Punches ‘n’ Crunches 20min workout | 22 Feb 2021 | Work your arms, abs, and legs with this intense 20min workout based on boxing form … | 24 | Workouts | boxing |
| Step and Punch: 10 boxing footwork drills | 01 Feb 2021 | 10 drills / 20 minutes training to improve your boxing game. To box well with … | 24 | Workouts | boxing, footwork |
| Sofa to Savate | Discovering Boxing for Savate | 12 Oct 2020 | Sofa to Savate is great if you are looking to start the elegant and effective … | 31 | Lessons | beginners, boxing |
| Using hooks | 13 Aug 2020 | Aims To improve how and why we use the hook punch (crochet). Contents Warm-up. 1. … | 45 | Lessons | boxing |
| Débordement + Punch | 03 Aug 2020 | Aims To move and punch better; to explore the sequence: débordement + punch, using 3 … | 43 | Lessons | boxing, footwork |
| Slipping Punches | 27 Jul 2020 | Aims To add a few slips into our boxing escapes; to use slips in Blue, … | 42 | Lessons | boxing, defences |
| Punches ‘n’ Crunches | 27 Jul 2020 | This content is available with London Savate World Academy online access. Log in | Workouts | abdominals, boxing | |
| Step and punch | 20 Jul 2020 | Aims To improve our motion forwards while punching. Contents Warm-up. Direct. Uppercut/hook. With débordement Freestyle. … | 45 | Lessons | boxing, footwork |
| Boxing Combinations | 09 Jun 2020 | Technique 45 mins | Warm-up | Double jab cross | Hook cross hook | Uppercut … | 45 | Lessons | boxing, combinations |
| Directs | 25 May 2020 | Technique 43 mins | 4 Direct principles | Direct and crochet | Direct and fouetté … | 43 | Lessons | boxing |
| Jab | 05 May 2020 | Technique 41 mins | Warm-up | Punch/kick warm-up | 6 jab rounds | 6 more … | 41 | Lessons | boxing |
| Uppercut | 21 Apr 2020 | Technique 26 mins | Footwork | Uppercut technique | Blue, Green, Red Uppercut | Freestyle … | 26 | Lessons | boxing |
| Uppercut Tabata | 20 Apr 2020 | This content is available with London Savate World Academy online access. Log in | Workouts | boxing, cardio | |
| Answered: how do I throw a power punch when moving? | 10 Apr 2020 | Member question: ‘How do I throw a power punch when moving in Savate?’ Answer: This … | 2 | Technical Clips | boxing |
| Crochet | 07 Apr 2020 | Crochet (hook) – 7th April 2020. 37 mins | Hook technique | Straight and curved … | 37 | Lessons | boxing |
| Boxing for Savate | 31 Mar 2020 | English Boxing for Savate – Tuesday 31st March 2020. 42 mins | Bodyweight positioning | … | 42 | Lessons | boxing |