In Savate, students receive Glove ranking instead of belts. Patches are given to signify gradients of rank in the Boxe Française-Savate system as dictated by the French Federation in Paris. Rank patches are displayed on the school t-shirt over the heart during Savate class while in the Savate uniform.

Savate testing elevates the student's fitness level and develops extreme proficiency in punching and kicking. The system is based on developing flexibility, control, agility and precision, and is highly recommended as a supplement to the regular program.

Combative Arts Academy actively supports and encourages students to participate in the California Savate Association. For more information, please visit its web site: www.CalSavate.com.

History:

Savate or "French Kickboxing" can be traced back to the 18th century when sailors from the port of Marseilles practiced a sport known as "Chausson". This was purely a kicking sport, it is presumed that the styles of kicks were taken from fighting systems seen while visiting the eastern oriental countries. By 1820 the sport had grown in popularity throughout France and some "open" hand strikes had been added. In 1830 Mon. Charles Lecour, after loosing a bout to an English pugilist or "boxer" Owen Swift, introduced the punching techniques seen in traditional English boxing. This was the birth of modern Savate, truly an East meets West fighting sport. In the years leading up to the First World War the sport was at the height of its popularity and it appeared as a demonstration sport in the 1924 Olympics held in Paris. Many great champions were lost during the Second World War in the 1940's and Savate suffered a serious decline in practitioners and was almost lost forever. It was Count Pierre Baruzy, Winner of the French Championships an amazing eleven times, who along with a small group of committed supporters fought to keep the sport alive. In 1992 there were only six national federations recognized by the International Federation (FIS), there are now fifteen. The sport of Boxe Française Savate is re-emerging as a popular fighting art and is now practiced in forty-two countries and four continents.