teach the techniques and logic of all of savate. By this effort, he preserved
the full martial dimension of savate and has been called “the second
Baruzy” in recognition of the amount of effort this required.
Savate Danse de Rue today trains students in the traditional disci-
plines of savate as one system. For technical ranks, a glove system is used:
blue, green, red, white, yellow, and three grades of silver. Red is considered
equal to a first-degree black belt. The basic body movements are taught
from Boxe Française and chausson. A pivoting of the body generates
power, and kicks are focused on the toes, heel, or sole of the shoe. The
trademark kicks of savate are the fouette,a spiraling kick that is vaguely
similar to a roundhouse kick, and the coup de bas,a low-hitting kick. Sev-
enteen different kicks are recognized, as well as their spinning, jumping,
and main à sol(“hand on the floor”) variations. Officially, fourteen hand
strikes are used, but this is a low number, as all open-hand strikes are ba-
sically considered as one type. Head, shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip strikes
are also taught. After mastering bare-handed techniques, the student is in-
troduced to the weapon system, called la canne et baton or canne d’armes.
The savateur is taught in the following order: la canne (walking stick),
couteau(knife), larga(cutlass or bowie), double canne, baton (heavy staff),
rasoir(straight razor), firearms, and fouet(whip). The weapons are prac-
ticed against similar weapons, as in canne versus canne, against other
weapons, as in canne versus couteau, and against unarmed foes. All of the
weapons can be and are expected to be combined with the striking or kick-
ing techniques as well as with grappling. The savateur’s goal is to flow be-
tween these techniques smoothly. Along with the weapon techniques, the
grappling techniques of Lutte Parisienne are introduced through a series of
two-person exercises. The techniques of Lutte Parisienne, derived from
Western wrestling, use both projecting and breaking techniques. However,
the techniques are done in such a way as to damage, not restrain, the op-
ponents, allowing the savateur’s speedy escape. In addition, many tech-
niques are designed to look accidental or to be hidden from witnesses.
Later, the techniques of zipota are introduced to teach one how to handle
multiple opponents. Zipota teaches a variety of infighting techniques and
rapid changes of direction. Finally, when preparing for the first silver glove,
the student studies Panache. Panache uses any available object to gain an
advantage in a fight, giving it the name of “the art of malice.” For exam-
ple, hats, vests, overcoats, scarves, and briefcases are used to distract or
damage an assailant. The upper two grades of silver add more complicated
lutte sets. In addition, familiarity with the sporting forms of Boxe Française
and canne de combat is required.
Despite the training of a silver glove, savateurs of that rank are not
considered capable of teaching on their own. A separate teaching ladder
Savate 523