Savate is a native French martial art known locally as Boxe Française (literally ‘French Boxing’) – also known around the world as French Kickboxing, and sometimes French Footfighting. It focuses on the use of the feet, and also permits hands but has rules to avoid the use of shins and knee strikes when competing in the sport of the same name.
Taking inspiration from the French performing art of ballet, Savate can be described as balanced but quirky; sporty but graceful; reserved but powerful.
A useful art to study for its diverse kicking and footwork, especially over long range – Savate has plenty of long reaching sidekicks in attack and well developed defences & counter-attacks against them such as kicking the standing leg. Bruce Lee took note and especially loved its low kick for striking the opponent’s lead knee (using our longest weapon to strike their nearest target – a tenet of Jeet Kune Do). With significant attention from Bruce, there are many JKD schools with expertise in Savate today.