Savate, known as boxe Francaise savate or la boxe Francaise is a French martial art. Its development began in 17th century Marseilles, and was originally a type of kicking brawling style. Early in the 18th century, it was synthesized with English boxing maneuvers, and is today a comprehensive and respected martial arts style.

Savate combines boxing-style punches with a variety of kicks, but the style also includes some cane-fighting techniques, an interesting bit of trivia not very well known.

A savate fighter is called a savateur (fem. savateuse) or tireur. Rank is indicated by an inch-wide colored band around the wrist of the savate glove. The ranks from lowest to highest are: purple , blue, green, red, white, yellow, bronze, silver and gold. The golden band is granted as an honorific only, signifying years of devotion to Savate.

A word on techniques

The low kick, or Short kick (in Street Fighter parlance), is called a coup de pied bas. The side kick, or Forward kick, is called a coup de pied chasse. The Roundhouse kick is called a coup de pied fouette. Other techniques include the coup de pied en reverse, or lateral reverse kick (could be a Reverse Frontal Kick), and the coup de pied en reverse frontaux, which can be translated as the front reverse kick.

It is not unknown for the tireur to fight with either a cane (as mentioned above), or even with light swords, like the rapier. Savate has also been known to fight (and train) with straight backed chairs.