Taekwondo vs Savate

Savate and Taekwondo are both dynamic and striking martial arts with unique techniques and styles. Savate, originating from France, focuses on precise kicks and punches, while Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, emphasizes high kicks and fast footwork.

General information

Taekwondo
Savate
Introduction :
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its dynamic kicking techniques and emphasis on speed and agility. It is widely practiced for self-defense, physical fitness, and as a competitive sport. Taekwondo has gained popularity worldwide for its high-energy, acrobatic movements and disciplined training methods. With a strong focus on mental discipline and respect, Taekwondo offers practitioners a well-rounded martial arts experience.
Introduction :
Savate, also known as French kickboxing, is a dynamic martial art that combines elements of traditional boxing with high kicks and footwork. Originating in France, Savate is popular for its emphasis on agility, flexibility, and precision striking techniques. It is commonly used for self-defense and as a competitive sport. With its unique blend of striking and footwork, Savate offers a challenging and effective workout for both physical fitness and self-defense skills.
Advantages :
  • Taekwondo emphasizes powerful and dynamic kicks, setting it apart from other martial arts.
  • It focuses on speed and agility, making it an effective self-defense option.
  • Taekwondo competitions are popular worldwide, providing opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills.
  • Practitioners develop discipline and mental focus through rigorous training.
  • Taekwondo offers a strong sense of community and camaraderie among practitioners.
Advantages :
  • Savate offers a unique blend of striking techniques using both hands and feet, providing a well-rounded skill set for self-defense and competition.
  • Emphasizes agility and footwork, allowing practitioners to move quickly and effectively in combat situations.
  • Focuses on precision and control, enabling practitioners to deliver powerful strikes with accuracy.
  • Incorporates both offensive and defensive techniques, providing a balanced approach to combat scenarios.
  • Promotes physical fitness and conditioning through high-intensity training sessions, improving overall health and well-being.
Disadvantages :
  • Limited focus on practical self-defense techniques
  • Emphasis on flashy kicks may not be effective in real fights
  • Lack of grappling and ground fighting skills
  • Limited use of hand strikes compared to other martial arts
  • Sparring rules may not fully prepare for real combat situations
Disadvantages :
  • Limited use of hands for striking compared to other martial arts.
  • Lack of emphasis on ground fighting techniques.
  • Less popular and fewer opportunities for competitions.
  • Limited availability of qualified instructors and training facilities.
  • Not as well-known or recognized as other martial arts styles.
🟢 Popularity : Very.
Taekwondo is a highly popular martial art worldwide, with a large number of practitioners and schools in many countries. It is also a popular sport, with international competitions drawing large audiences.
🟡 Popularity : Somewhat.
Savate is somewhat popular in Europe, particularly in France where it originated. It has a dedicated following of practitioners and competitions, but may not be as widely practiced as other martial arts globally.


General application

Taekwondo
Savate
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started in Taekwondo requires dedication and practice, but most beginners can grasp the basic techniques with proper instruction. It may take time to master the more advanced moves and forms.
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started in Savate requires some basic fitness and flexibility. Learning the techniques and movements may take time, but with consistent practice and dedication, beginners can progress steadily in this martial art.
🟢 Self defense : Good.
Taekwondo can be effective for self defense on the street due to its emphasis on striking techniques and kicks. Practitioners learn how to generate power and defend against attackers in real-world situations.
🟡 Self defense : Average.
Savate can be effective for self defense on the street due to its focus on striking techniques, but it may not be as practical as other martial arts that incorporate grappling and ground fighting for real-world scenarios.
🟢 Fitness : Good.
Taekwondo is excellent for fitness as it combines cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. The high-intensity kicks and punches provide a full-body workout, improving endurance, strength, and agility.
🟢 Fitness : Good.
Savate is an excellent way to stay fit, with high levels of exertion and focus on flexibility. The dynamic movements and kicks involved provide a full-body workout, improving strength, agility, and cardiovascular endurance.
🟢 Competitions : Good.
Taekwondo has a well-established competitive scene with accessible sporting competitions at various levels, including local, national, and international tournaments. There are also recognized awarding bodies that regulate competitions.
🟢 Competitions : Good.
Savate has a well-established competition circuit with events at various levels, from local to international. There are recognized awarding bodies and governing organizations that oversee these competitions.


Techniques

Taekwondo
Savate
🟡 Punching : Average.
Taekwondo is primarily focused on kicks and footwork, so the emphasis on punching techniques is not as strong. While Taekwondo practitioners do learn basic punches, the art is not known for its punching techniques compared to other martial arts.
🟢 Punching : Good.
Savate is good for punching due to its emphasis on precise and powerful kicks, which can be combined effectively with punches to create diverse striking combinations. The range and variety of punches in Savate make it a strong striking martial art.
🟡 Elbowing : Average.
Taekwondo focuses more on kicks and footwork, but it also includes punching techniques. While not as emphasized as kicks, practitioners learn various punches and can develop decent punching skills through training and practice.
🟢 Elbowing : Good.
Savate is good for punching due to its focus on precision, speed, and power. Practitioners learn various punching techniques and combinations, enhancing their striking abilities in combat situations.
🟡 Kneeing : Average.
While Taekwondo primarily focuses on kicking techniques, it also includes some punching techniques. However, compared to other martial arts, the emphasis on punching in Taekwondo is considered average.
🟡 Kneeing : Average.
Savate is known for its kicks rather than punches, but it does incorporate some punching techniques. While not as emphasized as kicks, Savate practitioners can still develop decent punching skills through training and practice.
🟢 Kicking : Good.
Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on powerful and dynamic kicks, with a wide range of kicking techniques including roundhouse, side, and front kicks. Practitioners often excel in kicking due to dedicated training and focus on technique.
🟢 Kicking : Good.
Savate is known for its effective kicking techniques, including a variety of kicks such as front kicks, side kicks, and roundhouse kicks. Practitioners often combine these kicks with punches for a well-rounded striking game.
🟡 Throwing : Average.
Taekwondo is not known for its throwing techniques, as the focus is primarily on striking and kicking. While some basic throws may be taught, they are not a central aspect of Taekwondo training.
🟡 Throwing : Average.
Savate is not primarily focused on throws, but it does incorporate some basic throwing techniques. While not as extensive as in other martial arts, Savate practitioners can still learn to execute throws effectively.
🟡 Joint locks : Average.
While Taekwondo primarily focuses on striking techniques, some schools may incorporate basic joint locks and holds into their training. However, it is not the main emphasis of the art, so proficiency in this area may vary.
🟡 Joint locks : Average.
Savate focuses more on striking techniques such as kicks and punches rather than joint locks and holds. While some joint locks may be included in training, it is not the primary focus of the martial art.
🟡 Grappling : Average.
Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on striking techniques and kicks, which may not be as effective in ground fighting scenarios. While some Taekwondo schools may incorporate ground fighting techniques, it is not the primary focus of the art.
🟡 Grappling : Average.
Savate is primarily a stand-up striking art, so its effectiveness in ground fighting is limited. While some techniques may be adapted for ground combat, it is not a focus of traditional Savate training.
🟢 Defense : Good.
Taekwondo is known for its effective range of blocks and defensive techniques, including various types of kicks and hand strikes. The combinations of blocking and defense in Taekwondo are well-rounded and versatile.
🟢 Defense : Good.
Savate utilizes a range of effective blocks and defensive techniques, including footwork, parries, and counters. The combination of these techniques makes it a strong martial art for both blocking and defense against various attacks.


When choosing between Savate and Taekwondo, consider your preference for striking techniques and cultural background. Savate offers a more traditional European approach, while Taekwondo provides a dynamic Korean martial art experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal goals and interests in martial arts.