Savate basics: Lessons 1-6 cover punches and first kicks (savate video course)

If you want to learn savate without any prior experience I have collected you the basic savate video course that covers punches and the easiest kicks. This is the basic level that any adult can reach no matter how sporty you are. These first parts of the savate are not very difficult or require exceptionally good conditions. When you master these first punches and kicks you can start practicing more difficult techniques but here are the basics:

Savate basics video course:

Savate lesson 1: the basic boxing stance
Savate lesson 2: the Jab (lead hand straight punch)
Savate lesson 3: the right cross (rear hand straight punch)
Savate lesson 4: the hook (punch)
Savate lesson 5: Chassé frontal (straight kick, can be done with both lead and rear foot)
Savate lesson 6: Fouetté bas (kick that can be done with both lead and rear foot)

After these 6 lessons you master the savate basics. You know the easiest punches and kicks so that you can start training. These techniques are sufficient to start physical exercise for example training with boxing bags or against the trainer who uses boxing pads where you target your punches and kicks.

Start training combos - remember the right distance

Once you can make each punch and kick one by one it's time to start making combos. One of the basic combos is the combo with straight punches: first you hit the jab and immediately after that you punch the right cross. You can modify this to 2xjab+right cross etc. Only your imagination is the limit when you train your own combos.

However there is one important thing you must remember when doing combos. It's the right distance. To make a hook you have to be very close, to make straight punches (jab and right cross) distance should be length of your hand and to make successful kicks the right distance is even longer.

I hope my video course helps you to train savate better.

Happy and sweaty savate training sessions!

Savate training: Lesson 2 - The Jab (Lead hand straight punch)

In my previous savate blog post I presented the basic boxing stance. Once you have learned it, you can start learning how to punch. The first punch we learn is called the jab. The jab is the most important punch in boxing and most of the boxing and savate courses start from the jab. The jab is punch where you use your lead/front side hand. If you are right hand person left is your lead/front side and for left hand people right hand is lead/front hand. So it's your weaker hand you are using for the jab.

In the video below a Mexican boxing and savate trainer Ray Medel teaches you the Jab and also reminds you about the basic boxing stance.



The tactical use of jab is usually to defend yourself and keep your opponent away from you. When you punch the jab towards you opponent's head, you force him/her to keep the distance. You should avoid the jab towards opponents body because it will leave your own head too open and there is risk that you get a punch in your face.