r/Savate

My custom ruleset for a hybrid smallsword and savate sparring game. It may be a little too rough and tumble for the faint of heart and playing on a soft surface like grass or mats may be more comfortable. Some may like savate shoes and a mouth guard in addition to fencing gear but if play is responsible shouldn't be required. This is getting into folk game territory admittedly.

Core Rules:

Thrusts and disarms only. All Jackpot points +1 are granted upon a single clean thrust or disarm then reset the jackpot to zero. Simultaneous thrusts result with no points awarded. Instead, add 1 point to the Jackpot held in limbo. The first fencer to score 21 points and lead by 2 points wins the assault.

The jackpot is a way to positively reinforce clean fencing as it does not award doubles. Instead it uses doubles to increase the ponderation of the next clean hit. It is meant to synergize wasted time into game design while adding a wee bit of drama. Play by clearing the jackpot back to zero after a clean hit/disarm. Much cheering and heckling is encouraged.

If you must play with the cut and thrust commoners, I have found it is best to give priority to a parry riposte in case of a simultaneous hit.

Rough and Tumble Rules:

Kicks, trips, and open hand pushes carry zero direct points.

Instant Win: Knocking an opponent to the ground (anything above the ankle touching the ground) using a chassé medium, revers bas, coup de pied bas, or main ouverte opens an instant win condition. Landing a clean thrust on the grounded opponent delivers the instant match victory. If a double hit occured with a fencer on the ground add one point to the jackpot and reset the fencers for the next exchange exactly where they were when the double occurred (the grounded fencer starts on the ground).

Ground Defense: Downed fencers may defend themselves until they are back on two feet or score a clean thrust/disarm upon which ends the instant win condition for their opponent. If a fencer chooses an action like the passata sotto that fencer does open himself/herself to the instant win condition until back on two feet only. Tackling, elbows, knees, closed fists, kicks/hand strikes to the mask, wrestling, grabbing and throwing opponents are strictly prohibited.

Legal Savate Striking & Sweeping Suite:

1. Mid-Level Push Kicks (Chassé Medium)

Execution: A direct piston-like push kick delivered with the sole or heel to the opponent's body (strictly below the collarbone for safety).

2. Low Hook Kicks (Revers Bas)

Execution: A sweeping or hooking kick targeted below the knee, using the boot or instep to hook behind the lead heel or calf.

3. Low Sweeping Trips & Clears (Coup de Pied Bas / Croche)

Execution: A low, sweeping kick or boot-trip targeted at the opponent's shin or ankle, scooping their foot out from under their center of gravity.

4. Open-Hand Deflections (Main Ouverte)

Execution: Pushing, redirecting, or catching the opponent's lead shoulder, wrist, or weapon arm with the non-fencing hand to disrupt balance or reveal the target area.

Feel free to experiment with this ruleset and change up as needed. Let me know how it goes!

Edit: One would be wise to focus on swordsmanship first and the savate second for opportune moments. Always take your training partner's safety more importantly than your own. No one needs to go to the hospital over a silly game. I also borrowed the concept for the fencer on the ground rules from an old S. Korean folk kicking/tripping game called tekkyeon. A folk game played before Japanese occupation.

Peace to us all 🌞