Street Kicking from Old style French Savate And it s influence on WW2 Combatives

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Street Kicking from Old style French Savate And it s influence on WW2 Combatives"

Avice Henry
5 years ago
Views:

Street Kicking from Old style French Savate And it s influence on WW2 Combatives In France the employment of the feet for kicking was as important to the Art of French Savate as the use of the fists

Tradition states that a style of street fighting, predominantly employing the feet, which came to be known as Savate was originally invented by gangsters and French convicts who, during the 19 th

1 Street Kicking from Old style French Savate And it s influence on WW2 Combatives In France the employment of the feet for kicking was as important to the Art of French Savate as the use of the fists were to English Boxing. In Paris and other French Provinces practitioners of Combative activities were well known for their use of street kicking. Tradition states that a style of street fighting, predominantly employing the feet, which came to be known as Savate was originally invented by gangsters and French convicts who, during the 19 th century needed to find a method to defend themselves. The early French Navy developed a gymnastic past time of fencing with the feet often called Chausson, (pronounced Shoh-sohn) a term that referred to the footwear worn by the sailors of the time. This system of foot fighting existed around the old southern dock yards of France and predominately took place on sailing ships. This was also referred to as jeu Marseilles (the Marseilles game) a look into this method shows that the kicks employed were much higher than those used in Savate and the hands were commonly used for balance and support this included grabbing hold of anything convenient for support whilst kicking. Such a method was applicable to the current environment of a slippery dockside or uneven boat deck. In Paris a more martial method of street kicking was often practiced in the poorer quarters of Paris and was often associated with the criminal underworld. Around (circa) 1820 this started to attract members of aristocracy, particularly by gentlemen dressed in their formal attire who sought entertainment amongst the cities vaudevilles and music halls. Disputes between such gentlemen were

often settled with this method of street kicking which also made use of the palms or paume for slapping and similar opened handed

Born in Paris, Michel was responsible for systemizing such methods of foot fighting and for naming it the Art of Savate (Pronounced

Michel opened the first official Salle or training gym in 1825.

It often attracted mainly those of dubious character, and it became synonymous with early street brawls that did not stop at low-line

Eventually the art evolved into a style of fighting that incorporated hands and feet as well as various other tactics and through

2 often settled with this method of street kicking which also made use of the palms or paume for slapping and similar opened handed strikes among other methods. The most famous instructor during this time was Michel Assaux ( ) also known as Michel Pissaux. Born in Paris, Michel was responsible for systemizing such methods of foot fighting and for naming it the Art of Savate (Pronounced sav-aht) meaning Old shoe this was the weapon of choice for the savatuer, which he taught alongside Cane fencing. Michel opened the first official Salle or training gym in Prior to this early Savate as it was practiced in old Paris was regarded by many, as a style of street fighting. It often attracted mainly those of dubious character, and it became synonymous with early street brawls that did not stop at low-line kicking and stomping with hard soled shoes but also included gouging, grappling, head butting and slapping. Eventually the art evolved into a style of fighting that incorporated hands and feet as well as various other tactics and through dilution of the more brutal street methods, went on to become the sport of La Boxe Francaise. This included the emergence of wrestling and in particular the development of French Wrestling, referred to as Parisian Lutte, as well as influence from Western boxing and the inclusion of kicks to the high-line.

3 What I am interested in here is purely Savate as a means of personal combat. In 80 years since its development from a ruthless method of street fighting, Savate had evolved into an array of martial disciplines, which could be practiced for self protection as well as for sport and recreation. From the beginning of the 20 th Century the more Combative side of Savate started to generate a lot of interest in Western Europe, particularly for the common public who were finding it necessary to develop a system of self-defence for the non-athletic civilian. Around this time many books and selfdefence related courses were starting to emerge. Elements of Savate were also being introduced into a number of unarmed combat courses in the United States. For example, from the 1920 right up to WWII such methods were actively taught within the syllabus provided for the US Marine Corps, the FBI and the Department of Justice. Such methods were also studied and taught by leading Close Combat pioneer A.J. Drexel Biddle as part of the unarmed combat training that he gave to Marines. In addition to this in France, many of the French resistance fighters were thoroughly trained in Savate. After WWII the interest in Savate appeared to wane, this was perhaps since many of its pioneers may have been lost to the war along with the disinterest from society, with violence in general at a time of post-war. Because of this Savate started to become part of an underground sub culture, influenced by wartime methods of unarmed combat. Savate started to lack organization and promotion and only really persisted through the practice of the dedicated minority. Parisians believed that for Savate and its disciplines to become more socially accepted it was necessary for its development as a sport. My interest in Savate lies in the early street fighting methods developed to counter such brutal street gangs as the French Apache, so this is where we leave it. The French Apache: Towards the latter part of the 19 th century circa; 1874, Paris was quite literally swarming with ruffians and vagabonds. The number of such individuals gathered into the thousands, with the majority coming from juvenile delinquents. Together they were evolving into a new generation of street gang which became known as the

Apache (pronounced Ah-Pahash ) this was a Parisian term used to describe these French street hoodlums, whose acts of violence were considered by all the day, to be equally as ferocious as the Apache

The Apaches developed their own style of street combat that was as unscrupulous and brutal as it was effective.

4 Apache (pronounced Ah-Pahash ) this was a Parisian term used to describe these French street hoodlums, whose acts of violence were considered by all the day, to be equally as ferocious as the Apache Indians were in battle, hence the name. The typical young Apache member came from the lower-class vagabonds with connections to the French underworld. The Apaches developed their own style of street combat that was as unscrupulous and brutal as it was effective. The French Apache employed the use of hand strikes and foot kicks, along with head butts, throws and methods of grappling. They also used a vast array of weapons, both by design and improvised, including knives, razors and knuckle dusters, as well as synthetic allies in the form of clothing such as; hats, scarves, bodkins and jackets among other items. The hard skills of the Apache were based upon tactics, namely the use of deception and dirty trickery. Another method is where the Apache would employ the use of the victim s jacket by pulling it down over the shoulders to bind the victim s arms, following up with multiple hand strikes to the now un-protected face. Another old Apache trick was called hooding this is where a victim would be temporarily blinded and disoriented by having a jacket thrown over their face, from where the advantage would be maintained and with follow up hand strikes. During this period of hooliganism in Paris, various masters of Savate started to develop specific methods to counter the threat. The main solution to the problem of the Apache was finally resolved after the start of WWI when most of its gang members under the age of 25 were sent to the front line to fight;

where upon almost a complete generation of French thugs were killed fighting the Germans. The Apache were well known for their brutal and unscrupulous methods.

ways Savate s method of boot fighting was employed by the British and US Forces and how we might adapt the same skills for today s focus on civilian Self- Protection.

5 where upon almost a complete generation of French thugs were killed fighting the Germans. The Apache were well known for their brutal and unscrupulous methods. In closing the depictions below offer relevance to what we have been looking at within the modules of today s workshop, namely the influence from WW2 Combatives to modern day methods, some of the ways Savate s method of boot fighting was employed by the British and US Forces and how we might adapt the same skills for today s focus on civilian Self- Protection. If we take a look at some of the Hand-to-hand Combat programs that were taught during this period, particularly in by the US Marines, the US Rangers, Marine Raiders and the US Navy, we can clearly see a strong influence from Fairbairn and Sykes in addition to Western boxing and wrestling, rough and tumble, dirty tactics and boot fighting or street kicking. The influence from the latter comes from French Savate, not the modern sport that it was to become, but more the original street fighting art from which it began. This is the focus of our second module today. For now let me give you a few depictions as to the efficiency of the Edge of Boot kick as Fairbairn taught it. Although this attack was designed for the heavy combat boot, you can still obtain a good result from slightly less s sturdy footwear. Below is an X-ray image showing a normal healthy knee joint in comparison to a dislocated knee joint. When the knee joint is taken out there is no stand up fight anymore or any chase. Outside taking your enemy out, destroying his leg is the only way to put him down and keep him down. (Pictures courtesy of Geoff Tank Todd s article on the Combat Boot.)

This basically employs the outside edge and heel of the boot, applied with a sturdy and fixed ankle using more the whole bottom sole of the boot, as oppose to angling the bladed edge and compromising

6 W.E. Fairbairn s inclusion of the sturdy combat boot as a weapon is depicted in his war time manual All in Fighting! published in the US as Get Tough! Here it depicts its use via the Edge of Boot Kick, also referred to as a low side kick or the stab kick. This basically employs the outside edge and heel of the boot, applied with a sturdy and fixed ankle using more the whole bottom sole of the boot, as oppose to angling the bladed edge and compromising the ankle. Also the inside Edge of the Boot, employed as a sharp kick to the shin bone. More often this kick was taught from a counter grapple perspective, where it was brought to bear straight to the shin just below the knee and from here it was used to viciously scrape down and into the shin bone, finishing with a heel stomp to the foot. Both kicks can of course be found within the curriculum of numerous martial systems throughout time, but kicking with the shoe/boot in this way was very specific to Old Savate s Street Kicking and Boot Fighting methods. In addition to the edge of the boot, Fairbairn would also employ the point or toe punt of the boot or shoe to the temple or ribs of a fallen enemy, the latter would often be used in conjunction with a sharp yank on the arm. One final method relating to Fairbain s use of the boot as a weapon, is again, depicted as a finishing technique to a fallen enemy. Understand that I include this simply for the purpose and interest of study. As we know the rules of engagement during WW2 were very clear and obvious, for both the Commandos, home guard and for all those involved in Special Operations, that being to eliminate the threat quick smart! So please view it in the context for which it was developed.

7 The Edge of the Boot Kick preceding the Chin-Jab: The inside of Boot Kick down the shin bone finishing with a stomp to the foot: Finally the Bronco Kick employed as a finishing tool to the head and chest box of a fallen enemy. Many Unarmed Combat systems of WW2 employed influence from Street Savate; namely point and edge of the boot kicks to low-line targets and as finishing tools to a fallen subject as depicted here from Col. Applegate s classic text KOGK. As a modern influence, here we can see use of the Edge of the Boot kick employed from both, a counter knife and a counter grapple perspective. In addition to the spike or point of boot kick to the groin and limb stomp employed as a finisher. Employ further pictures from a variety of WW2 Combatives texts Peace Lee M.

11 Kyu Preparatory Techniques prior to commencing study of the Fighting Techniques

11 Kyu Preparatory Techniques prior to commencing study of the Fighting Techniques CADET 11 Kyu 11 th KYU Preparatory Techniques prior to commencing study of the Fighting Techniques STANCES: Attention Ready Left Lead Fighting Stance Right Lead Fighting Stance Straddle Stance (Horse Riding)