Savate
A combat sport of French origin combining kicks delivered with the shod foot and punching techniques, with assaut and combat disciplines.
- 60news and announcements
- 9categories and disciplines
What is Savate?
Savate, also known as “boxe française” (French boxing), is a combat sport that combines boxing punches with kicking techniques delivered while wearing shoes. In competition, kicks are delivered only with the foot; the main types of kick are the fouetté (roundhouse kick), the chassé (thrust kick), the revers (reverse kick) and the coup de pied bas (low kick), while the punches are the jab, the hook and the uppercut. The requirement for athletes to wear special savate shoes is the most distinctive feature setting the branch apart from other kick-punch sports.
There are two main types of competition in the branch: assaut, contested with technical, controlled strikes without the application of power and in which knockouts are prohibited, and combat, in which full-power strikes are permitted and a knockout is possible. Athletes' technical level is indicated by a coloured glove grading system. Governed internationally by the International Savate Federation (FISav), savate featured as a demonstration sport at the Paris 1924 Olympic Games. At international championships, in addition to the assaut and combat disciplines, competitions are also held in canne de combat, a form of stick fighting.
History
Savate was born in France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries out of street fighting in which kicks were widely used, particularly in Paris and Marseille. Taught in salles in Paris from the mid-19th century onwards, the branch took on its modern form as it was enriched by the punching techniques of English boxing; it was taught in military schools in 1852 and featured as a demonstration sport at the Paris 1924 Olympic Games. The International Savate Federation was founded in 1985; the first European combat championship was held in Paris in 1986 and the first world combat championship in 1991.
In Türkiye, by ministerial approval of the Ministry of Youth and Sports dated 27 May 2024, the savate branch was attached as a sub-branch to the Turkish Federation of Developing Sports Branches. The branch's first activity under the Federation was the Savate Candidate Referee Course held in Bursa in December 2024, and the first Turkish Savate Championship took place in Çankırı in February 2025.
Basic Rules
For general information only; competitions are governed by the federation's current rulebook and regulations.
-
01
Permitted techniques
Kicks are delivered only with the shod foot. The fouetté, chassé, revers and low kicks are used, together with the jab, hook and uppercut punches.
-
02
Assaut
A type of competition in which technical quality comes to the fore and strikes are delivered in a controlled manner without the application of power. Knockouts are prohibited and the use of excessive force is penalised.
-
03
Combat
A type of competition in which strikes may be delivered with full power; a knockout is possible. The technical scope and time structure are similar to assaut.
-
04
Round structure
Bouts consist of 2 to 5 rounds according to the competition regulations; each round lasts 1, 1.5 or 2 minutes.
-
05
Categories
Competitions are organised by sex, age and weight category. In Türkiye, the Federation runs bronze glove and dang grading programmes relating to athletes' technical level.
Field and Equipment
- Savate shoesThe essential equipment that sets the branch apart from other kick-punch sports; all kicks are delivered with the shod foot.
- GlovesBoxing gloves are used in competition. Technical level is indicated by the coloured glove grading system (such as blue, green, red, white, yellow and silver).
- Protective equipmentProtection such as a mouthguard and groin guard is used; depending on the type of competition and category, a helmet and shin guards may also be required.
- Competition areaBouts take place in a ring or in an area with marked boundaries.
Categories and Disciplines
- Assaut
- Combat
- Canne de combat
- Minis
- Cadets
- Juniors
- Seniors
- Women
- Men
Age groups and weight classes may change with seasonal regulations; see the sport documents for current information.
Savate in Türkiye
In savate, Turkish championships are organised in the assaut and combat disciplines by the Turkish Federation of Developing Sports Branches. The first Turkish Championship was held in Çankırı in February 2025 in the Minis, Cadets, Juniors and Seniors categories. The 2026 activity calendar includes the Minis, Cadets and Juniors Turkish championships in Istanbul, the Seniors Combat and Assaut championships in Eskişehir, and the Juniors Combat Turkish championship in Çankırı.
National athletes have achieved notable success internationally. At the Savate Assaut Junior World Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in July 2025, the national team, competing with 26 athletes, won a total of 12 medals: 2 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze. National athletes who reached the final at the 2025 Senior Combat World Championship finished as world runners-up, and the Savate Junior Assaut European Championship held in Slovenia in June 2026 ended with 8 European bronze medals.
For the branch's technical base, candidate referee courses are held in Bursa, Ankara, Istanbul and Kütahya, Level 1 Assistant Coach Training Courses in Çankırı, and dang examinations in Ankara, Istanbul, Eskişehir, Çankırı and Kütahya. Referee licence renewal seminars are held every season, and trials and preparation camps are organised for the national teams.
- Championships and leaguesNational championships and events across age categories
- Referee and coach coursesCandidate referee, promotion and coaching courses
- National team workPreparation camps for international events
Content is being prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key information on getting started in Savate, licences, refereeing and coaching.
Who can take up savate?
Savate is a branch that anyone, female or male, can take up from a young age. Turkish championships are held in the Minis, Cadets, Juniors and Seniors categories; to get started, applying to a club active in the branch is recommended.
How is an athlete licence obtained?
The athlete licence is obtained via the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sports Information System (SBS) (sbs.gsb.gov.tr), through the club with which the athlete is registered.
Who can take the dang examinations?
To apply for the dang examinations organised by the Federation, candidates must be in their 15th year or older. Examination dates, application documents and requirements are announced in the instructions published for each examination.
How do I become a savate referee or coach?
To become a referee you must successfully complete the Federation's candidate referee courses, and to become a coach you must attend the Level 1 Assistant Coach Training Course. Coaching applications require a criminal record certificate and a Basic Training examination result or exemption certificate.
