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.

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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.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZGpQD8zFJ38

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 world-class Savate training content is available with London Savate World Academy Online Membership . …		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 world-class Savate training content is available with London Savate World Academy Online Membership . …		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