Savate
Unleash Your Fitness and Finesse in French Kickboxing
Welcome to the official website for the United States Savate Federation.
Founded in 1994, USSF is the the official governing body for Savate in the U.S.A. and official US representative to the International Savate Federation (F.I.S.). We are a non-profit, educational organization.
WHAT IS SAVATE??
Continuous Learning:
Boxe Française or french-kickboxing is a sport, which utilizes footwork, balance, and accuracy in unison with punches and kicks to make and effective form of self-defense and cardiovascular exercise. Whether you are looking to get in shape or have the desire to compete, its training curriculum and levels of competition make the sport both challenging and rewarding.
Community
Joining a membership at USSavate.org offers myriad benefits for those interested in Boxe Française, also known as French kickboxing. This dynamic sport combines the elegance of footwork, balance, and precision with powerful punches and kicks, creating an effective form of self-defense and a heart-pumping cardiovascular workout. In addition, as a member of USSavate.org, you will gain access to a comprehensive training curriculum tailored to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
Results
Savate or French boxing is a combat sport that uses foot-fist percussion. Kicks are delivered with all parts of Savate's shoe that cover the foot and punches with the front of the glove and is internationally regulated. Savate is a combat sport born in France that was regulated in the 19th century. Its regulations at the international level have been established and are modified or completed by the FISAV Steering Committee.
See what we're all about!
Click to play
2024
World Championships & Major Events
Ready?
Join The US SAVATE
Community Today
JoAnn Wabisca
President US Savate Federation & Coach
JoAnn Wabisca became one of the first women in the United States to receive the coveted rank of “Silver Glove” (Black Belt Equivalent) in Boxe Francaise Savate in the late 90's. Shortly afterward she was voted the first president of the American Federation of Boxe Francaise Savate, a post that she now carries again, 15 years later!
JoAnn is the head coach of the 2023 U.S. Savate Youth Team who will be competing in the summer of 2023 in Podcetrtek, Slovania.
JoAnn earned instructor’s certification in Muay Thai under Kru Surapuk Jamjuntr and Kru Saekson Janjira and in Jeet Kune Do under Bruce Lee’s direct student Sifu Jerry Poteet and his wife Sifu Fran Joseph. Even after suffering a debilitating knee injury which led to a complete ACL replacement, in 2003 she won the US Championship in Boxe Francaise Savate, which later led to competition in the World Cup of Boxe Francaise Savate in Plovdiv, Bulgaria where she claimed a world title after fighting 5 times in less than 24 hours.
JoAnn is committed to the growth of Savate in the U.S.A. She believes Savate is a sophisticated form of kickboxing that can be integrated into the curriculum of all martial arts schools. Due to the intelligently designed rank and teaching curriculum the sport can be practiced without injuries and potential liability and makes training accessible for all age groups and temperaments.
Edward Monaghan
Professor & Coach
Professor Edward Monaghan Has been involved in the health/fitness and martial arts field as a professional for over 40 years. He holds multiple degrees from the University of Kentucky and UCLA specializing in exercise science, theater and eastern philosophy.
He also serves on the faculty of UCLA's prestigious School of Theater, Film and Television where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in applied movement, exercise science, eastern philosophy, and combat for stage and film. Additionally, Professor Monaghan belongs to the UCLA Mind/Body Faculty Committee and is certified as a mindfulness facilitator through UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center. He has trained for over 45 years in multiple forms of mindfulness practice with luminaries in the field of Zen, Vajrayana and Taoist contemplative traditions.
Sifu (teacher) Ed has studied Martial Arts for over 45 years in multiple fighting systems. He is ranked as an 8th degree black belt in mixed martial arts and holds black belt or equivalent rank and instructor's certification in Jeet June Do, Kung Fu, Savage, Muay Thai, JuJutsu, Kali, Qigong and Karate.
In 2010, Ed was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and voted "Martial Arts Leader of the Year."