Canne de combat

The history of the discipline is closely linked to the development of the savate boxing techniques, which in earlier forms largely used kicks and later, under the influence of the British, incorporated punches.

Gentlemen trained into the savate techniques mastered cane as a way of fighting from a distance as well as close combat kickboxing.

The cane was more common in cities, whereas a staff akin to a European quarterstaff was more popular in rural areas.

[citation needed] The techniques of savate and canne d'arme increased in popularity up to the point that they were used by military and police forces until World War I.

[5] During the late 1970s, the techniques of the canne d'arme were codified by Maurice Sarry with a view to rehabilitating it as a sport.

Today, the sport canne de combat is practiced by a thousand cannistes, and the French staff by some hundreds of bâtonniers or bâtonnistes.

[citation needed] In the USA Jean-Noel Eynard brought canne de combat to the east coast in combination with Savate.

A normal walking stick is usually within the boundaries of legal self-defence, but the loaded cane (weighted with lead at one end) may be considered a weapon in some jurisdictions.

In the modern sporting canne de combat system found in France, bouts are held inside a ring.

The bout is won on points, the lightness of the cane and the protective clothing making a knockout impossible.

When playing canne, the cannistes (competitors) have a stick in their hand, wear a protective suit and a fencing helmet, and try to score more points than their opponent during the match.

Scoring zones: During a canne bout, the cannistes must use prescribed defensive and offensive techniques, combined with jumps and vaults.

During canne défense every vulnerable part of the body is considered a legitimate target: the elbow, the knee, the face, etc.

Canne de combat is based on six techniques, combinations, and other elements (jumps, voltes, hand switches).

Your arm should remain straight throughout the execution of the strike as the point travels through a 180 degrees arc from the rear to the front.

The bout is won on points, the lightness of the cane and the protective clothing making a knockout impossible.