Canne de combat
Encyclopedia
Canne de combat is a French
martial art. As weapon, it uses a cane
or canne (a kind of walking-stick) designed for fighting. Canne de combat was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The canne is very light, made of chestnut
wood and slightly tapered. A padded suit and a fencing
mask are worn for protection.
boxing techniques which at the beginning was mainly using kicks and lately under the influence of the British incorporated also punches. Gentlemen trained into the Savate techniques mastered cane as a way of fighting from a certain distance as well as close combat kickboxing. The cane was in the hands of the city men, while the staff was in the hands of farm men. In fact, cane and staff were closely associated in many countries and cultures.
In the olden days, the techniques of “Savate” and “Canne d’Arme” increased in popularity up to the point that they were used by military and police forces (depicted in the TV series Les Brigades du Tigre, referring to a special police task force of the French Third Republic
) until World War I
. The millions of French lives lost during the war caused the discipline to nearly disappear. The techniques continued however to be taught in a few “savate boxing” clubs that reopened in between the two wars and managed to survive World War II
. There is reputed to be a group who operated during the Nazi occupation who used cane techniques to carry out assassinations. Cane fighting techniques of the late 1950s and 1960s were influenced by a few skilled individuals who revived it.
Today, the sport “Canne de Combat”, is practiced by a thousand of “cannistes”, just as the French staff, by some hundreds of “bâtonniers” or “bâtonnistes”.
so that the cane was taught as a weapon of self-defence. The French tradition includes techniques of medieval stick fighting
(see also bâton français
), excepting those techniques considered too dangerous to be used in sport. The medieval stick is too heavy a weapon to be used in competition.
Its use has thus been lost and today Canne de combat itself is disappearing. There is, however, a martial tradition passed down to the Swiss Master, Pierre Vigny
in the 19th century which was used for codification of techniques using the Indian cane at the beginning of the 20th century, forming a separate tradition from the more common sporting cane seen in France today. The cane, first used for support and then as a gentleman's accessory, also provided a useful weapon. 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 legal systems.
To count, all strokes must be with the cane, and low blows must have a lunging movement. The bout is won on points, the lightness of the cane and the protective clothing making a knockout impossible. Points are scored for style, according to the correctness of body positions during fighting. Contact with prohibited areas such as the arms are penalized. It is thus possible to win a match without landing a blow on one's adversary, if he or she accumulates penalties.
hand, wear a protecting suit and a fencing helmet, and try to achieve more and more hits during the match.
Scoring parts:
During canne you have to use the valid attacks and defenses, combined with jumps and vaults. There is no simultaneous attack, which means, if one of the player started an attack, the other has to parry or evade, and is allowed to counterattack only after the evade. An evade can be a step, a jump or a crouch. The stick can be held either in the left, or in the right hand, and it is allowed (and suggested) to change hand during the match.
counter-attacks, neck and handlocks, releases from holds. During canne défense not only the scoring points are a target, but every vulnerable part of the body: the elbow, the knee, the face, etc. It is under heavy development. There is no competition from défense, only pair techniques.
attack which means if one of the player started an attack, the other has to parry or evade and is allowed to
counterattack only after the evade.
As described above, the simultan attack is not allowed. The logic of canne does not accept the theory of "getting a small hit in order to deal a bigger hit". If player A starts to attack and instead of defending himself, player B also starts an attack, then the following is the rule:
To count, all strokes must be with the cane, and low blows must have a lunging movement. The bout is won on points, the lightness of the cane and the protective clothing making a knockout impossible. Points are scored for style, according to the correctness of body positions during fighting. Contact with prohibited areas such as the arms are penalized. It is thus possible to win a match without landing a blow on one's adversary, if he or she accumulates penalties.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
martial art. As weapon, it uses a cane
Cane
Cane are either of two genera of tall, perennial grasses with flexible, woody stalks from the family Poaceae that grow throughout the world in wet soils. They are related to and may include species of bamboo. The genus Arundo is native from the Mediterranean region to the Far East. Arundinaria...
or canne (a kind of walking-stick) designed for fighting. Canne de combat was standardized in the 1970s for sporting competition by Maurice Sarry. The canne is very light, made of chestnut
Chestnut
Chestnut , some species called chinkapin or chinquapin, is a genus of eight or nine species of deciduous trees and shrubs in the beech family Fagaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The name also refers to the edible nuts they produce.-Species:The chestnut belongs to the...
wood and slightly tapered. A padded suit and a fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
mask are worn for protection.
History
The “Canne de Combat” or “Canne d’Arme” is a product of French history and culture. It developed in the early 19th century as a self-defence discipline and was particularly used by upper class "bourgeois" gentlemen in big, unsafe cities such as Paris. Some speak of French martial art although its codification as a sport does not allow this name officially. The history of the discipline is closely linked to the development of the SavateSavate
Savate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
boxing techniques which at the beginning was mainly using kicks and lately under the influence of the British incorporated also punches. Gentlemen trained into the Savate techniques mastered cane as a way of fighting from a certain distance as well as close combat kickboxing. The cane was in the hands of the city men, while the staff was in the hands of farm men. In fact, cane and staff were closely associated in many countries and cultures.
In the olden days, the techniques of “Savate” and “Canne d’Arme” increased in popularity up to the point that they were used by military and police forces (depicted in the TV series Les Brigades du Tigre, referring to a special police task force of the French Third Republic
French Third Republic
The French Third Republic was the republican government of France from 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed due to the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, to 1940, when France was overrun by Nazi Germany during World War II, resulting in the German and Italian occupations of France...
) until World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The millions of French lives lost during the war caused the discipline to nearly disappear. The techniques continued however to be taught in a few “savate boxing” clubs that reopened in between the two wars and managed to survive World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. There is reputed to be a group who operated during the Nazi occupation who used cane techniques to carry out assassinations. Cane fighting techniques of the late 1950s and 1960s were influenced by a few skilled individuals who revived it.
Self-defence sport
During the late 1970s, the techniques of the “Canne d’Arme” were codified by Maurice Sarry with a view to rehabilitate it as a sport. This led to the discipline which is still today associated with the “Federation de Savate Boxe Francaise” (French Savate Boxing federation). Aside from the sport approach, self-defense techniques are still alive: e.g. “Master Lafond” technique.Today, the sport “Canne de Combat”, is practiced by a thousand of “cannistes”, just as the French staff, by some hundreds of “bâtonniers” or “bâtonnistes”.
Use
The use of the cane as a weapon, as originally taught in weapons schools, was codified by the Masters of SavateSavate
Savate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
so that the cane was taught as a weapon of self-defence. The French tradition includes techniques of medieval stick fighting
Stick fighting
Stick fighting is a generic term for martial arts which use simple long slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden 'sticks' for fighting such as a staff, cane, walking stick, baton or similar....
(see also bâton français
Bâton français
The Bâton français, French for "French staff", also known as French stick fighting, is a European historical fencing discipline which uses a staff about 1.2 m long...
), excepting those techniques considered too dangerous to be used in sport. The medieval stick is too heavy a weapon to be used in competition.
Its use has thus been lost and today Canne de combat itself is disappearing. There is, however, a martial tradition passed down to the Swiss Master, Pierre Vigny
Pierre Vigny
Pierre Vigny was a French master-at-arms who was active during the late 19th century and early 20th century. He specialised in the French savate style of martial arts and in the art of stick fighting known as La canne which he heavily modified to better suit his theories of effective self...
in the 19th century which was used for codification of techniques using the Indian cane at the beginning of the 20th century, forming a separate tradition from the more common sporting cane seen in France today. The cane, first used for support and then as a gentleman's accessory, also provided a useful weapon. 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 legal systems.
Rules
In the modern sporting Canne de combat system found in France, bouts are held inside a ring. The cane is held with one hand but the player can change it from hand to hand during the bout. Strokes are made either horizontally or downward, thrusting or stabbing blows being prohibited. The scoring zones are the calves, the torso and the head.To count, all strokes must be with the cane, and low blows must have a lunging movement. The bout is won on points, the lightness of the cane and the protective clothing making a knockout impossible. Points are scored for style, according to the correctness of body positions during fighting. Contact with prohibited areas such as the arms are penalized. It is thus possible to win a match without landing a blow on one's adversary, if he or she accumulates penalties.
Weapons
- Canne (stick) is a chestnut stick that comes in two versions. First (marked with a green line) is heavier and used for training of basic techniques. Canne used in competitions and advanced training is lighter (marked with a black line). Lighter stick are faster and safer to use (you can't seriously injure your opponent because the stick breaks first). The length of a canne is 95 cm, weight is cca 120g for green and cca 100g for the black canne.
- Baton (staff) is a two handed stick of cca 140 cm and 400g.
Parts
Canne de combat has more parts:- Canne: fight with one stick
- Double canne: fight with two sticks
- Baton: Quarterstaff
- Canne défense: self-defense with the stick
- Canne chausson: savate kicks combined with canne techniques
Canne
Canne is the biggest part of canne de combat. When playing canne, the cannists (canne players) have a stick in theirhand, wear a protecting suit and a fencing helmet, and try to achieve more and more hits during the match.
Scoring parts:
- Head: the top, the sides, and from front
- Torso: only for males
- Calves
During canne you have to use the valid attacks and defenses, combined with jumps and vaults. There is no simultaneous attack, which means, if one of the player started an attack, the other has to parry or evade, and is allowed to counterattack only after the evade. An evade can be a step, a jump or a crouch. The stick can be held either in the left, or in the right hand, and it is allowed (and suggested) to change hand during the match.
Double Canne
During the double canne the players hold a stick both in their right and in the left hand. They try to make a hit with a right and with a left hand using similar techniques like in canne, whilst they parry and counter-attack. The two stick allows much faster attack and defence.Bâton
Bâton means long stick techniques and is based on the movements of the medieval longsword and longer countryside walking stick, extended with the movement base of canne.Canne défense
Canne défense means self-defense with the canne. It's base is the movements of canne, but it contains thrusts, slashes, parries andcounter-attacks, neck and handlocks, releases from holds. During canne défense not only the scoring points are a target, but every vulnerable part of the body: the elbow, the knee, the face, etc. It is under heavy development. There is no competition from défense, only pair techniques.
Attacks
Canne de combat is based on six techniques, combinations, and other elements (jumps, voltes, hand switches).- Brisé
- Croisé téte
- Latéral croisé ( tête, flanc, bas: head, torso, leg/low)
- Latéral extérieur ( tête, flanc, bas: head, torso, leg/low )
- Enlevé
- Croisé bas
Defenses
You can defend yourself by a parry or an evade. An evade can be a step, a jump or a crouch. There is no simultanattack which means if one of the player started an attack, the other has to parry or evade and is allowed to
counterattack only after the evade.
As described above, the simultan attack is not allowed. The logic of canne does not accept the theory of "getting a small hit in order to deal a bigger hit". If player A starts to attack and instead of defending himself, player B also starts an attack, then the following is the rule:
- If nobody hits, nobody gets a point
- If B hits, nobody gets a point
- If both A and B hits, then A gets a point (because he/she attacked first)
Valid attacks
Only valid attacks are counted. An attack is valid, if it is done with the techniques described above, and:- Every strike must be armed
- The hit is clear
- The hit reached a valid target zone
- The hit is done with the upper 1/4 part of the stick
- The stick is in one line with the hand
- There was no sabring movement
Rules
Bouts are held in a circle with 9 m diameter. The cane is held with one hand but the player can change it from hand to hand during the bout. Strokes are made either horizontally or downward, thrusting or stabbing blows being prohibited. The scoring zones are the calves, the torso and the head.To count, all strokes must be with the cane, and low blows must have a lunging movement. The bout is won on points, the lightness of the cane and the protective clothing making a knockout impossible. Points are scored for style, according to the correctness of body positions during fighting. Contact with prohibited areas such as the arms are penalized. It is thus possible to win a match without landing a blow on one's adversary, if he or she accumulates penalties.
Rounds and age-groups
- Children between 10–14 years: 2 or 3*1.5 minutes
- Adolescent between 14–17 years : 2 or 3* 1.5 minutes
- Youth between 17–20 years : 2 or 3* 2 minutes
- Adults between 21–40 years : 2 or 3* 2 minutes
- Senior 41- years : 2 or 3* 2 minutes
Blue pommel
- The beginning
- Technical requirements : balance, quality, the 6 techniques , the 8 parries , dodgings .
- Theory : Knowledge of the weapon, and the history of the canne.
Green pommel
- The two hands works together
- Topic: I touch and I am not touched
- Technical requirements : slits, voltes and framing
- Theory: Criteria of the validity of a hit (movement, valid areas)
Red pommel
- The co-operation to the opposition
- Topic: I am not touched and I touch
- Principle: defensive organization and concept of response
- Technical requirements: Shift, overflow, opposition, management of the effort
- Theory: regulation Canes of Combat and Bâton, the behaviour, the equipment, the obligations of the players, the principles of the judgement, the sanctions and penalties
- Allows to be initiator
White pommel
- Entered the confirmation
- Topic: I touch before being touched
- Principle: anticipation
- Technical requirements: behavioral diagram, sequence prepared for a demonstration, interiorization of the practice (closed eyes)
- Theory: the file of J/A, the categories of age and the various types of competition
Yellow pommel
- Pommel of the acquisition
- Topic: “I disturb for touching”
- Principle: pretence (see the article on the pretence of B. Dubreuil)
- Technical requirement: work in simple cane, double cane and stick
- Theory: to have the diploma of regional training J/A, take part at the various meetings (official and semi-official)
- Allows to be instructor
Canne de combat in media
- Gérard DepardieuGérard DepardieuGérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu is a French actor and filmmaker. He is a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite and has twice won the César Award for Best Actor...
uses canne in the movie VidocqVidocq (2001 film)Vidocq is a 2001 mystery film, directed by Pitof, starring Gérard Depardieu as historical figure Eugène François Vidocq pursuing a supernatural serial killer...
to fight against the "alchemist". - The movie Arsène Lupin contains some canne and savateSavateSavate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
. - The movie The Tiger BrigadesThe Tiger BrigadesLes Brigades du Tigre is a 2006 French crime film, based on a very successful 1970s-'80s French television series of the same name. The story involves an Untouchables-type crack "Flying Squad" formed by Georges Clemenceau to combat rampant crime in 1912 Paris...
contains both canne and savate. - Patrick MacneePatrick MacneePatrick Macnee is an English actor, best known for his role as the secret agent John Steed in the series The Avengers.-Early life:...
was trained in canne for his role as John Steed in the 1960s TV series The AvengersThe Avengers (TV series)The Avengers is a spy-fi British television series set in the 1960s Britain. The Avengers initially focused on Dr. David Keel and his assistant John Steed . Hendry left after the first series and Steed became the main character, partnered with a succession of assistants...
. However, in the series, he is mostly using a umbrellaUmbrellaAn umbrella or parasol is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain...
, not a caneCaneCane are either of two genera of tall, perennial grasses with flexible, woody stalks from the family Poaceae that grow throughout the world in wet soils. They are related to and may include species of bamboo. The genus Arundo is native from the Mediterranean region to the Far East. Arundinaria...
as weapon.
See also
- SavateSavateSavate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
French style of kickboxing that uses punches and kicks. - Bâton françaisBâton françaisThe Bâton français, French for "French staff", also known as French stick fighting, is a European historical fencing discipline which uses a staff about 1.2 m long...
related martial art which uses a quarterstaffQuarterstaffA quarterstaff , also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European pole weapon and a technique of stick fighting, especially as in use in England during the Early Modern period....
.
Information and documentation about Canne
- The illustrated newspaper of canne
- Presentation of the basic techniques
- Some old treaties of cane, stick and others
- A small booklet about CDC
- Cambridge Martial Arts
- Reprinted early 1900s information about the Vigny cane and associated techniques
Sources and External links
- Official website of the Fédération Internationale de Savate for information on international and world championships, photos, videos & articles on Savate, La Canne, and Defence
- Official website of the 2010 European Canne de Combat Championships for information on the 2010 European championships, photos, videos & articles on Canne de Combat
- Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts Savate and cane fighting in Cambridge, England
- Savate World Savate & cane fighting in Montreal QC Canada
- American Registry of Savate Instructors and Clubs ARSIC-International
- United States Savate Federation - Website of the official Fédération Internationale de Savate representative in the USA
- Website of a Hungarian Canne de Combat Club - Official website of the Hungarian Canne de Combat club
- A Hungarian La Canne Club - Hungarian Club of La Canne and associated stickfighting disciplines
- Indian Ocean Canne de Combat - Reunion Island - Mauritius - Madagascar
- The network of clubs in Bordeaux: video presentation of the basic techniques, history and culture ...