Universally

To my brothers of Danse de Rue Savate.

Let me start off by stating that the views expressed are my own and constitute my interpretation of the techniques of our art. In this article we shall explore the Initiateur set “Hammers of Pain #1” and some of its possible applications.

The Encyclopedia of Danse de Rue Savate describes the technique against a right cross, as an upward manchette, moving into a manchette to the jaw. Techniques are ideas of motion which can be applied in a number of different ways depending on the tactical situation. We shall examine this technique and try to show several possible applications of the motion.

The first application we will discuss is the literal definition given above. You are standing naturally as the opponent delivers a right cross. You use a right upward manchette to parry and hyper-extend the opponent's right elbow. At this point you are standing in front of your attacker. Your right hand continues to flow in an outward circular motion as deliver a right manchette to the third vertebra of the opponent's neck. This application is performed at what could be called boxing range, but only utilizes one arm to defend and counterattack.

A variation of this basic application is to add your left hand into the mix. Use a left inward ebaketa against the attacking right cross as your right hand performs the upward manchette. This combined motion pins the opponent's hand and allows you to more effectively hyper-extend his elbow. Continue the motion of your right hand and deliver the right manchette to his neck. Your left hand then threads under your right arm and you use your left to push behind his left upper arm and turn him to his right. You finish by using another right outward circular manchette to strike his neck a second time. This last strike is delivered at an angle from behind the opponent who doesn't see, but only feels the blow.

You can also apply the technique while breaking the plane of combat. Perform the first manchette as you move outside the opponent's right cross. Kneel on your right knee as you use the second manchette to strike his groin. Finish the opponent with a lamiak technique by placing your left leg behind his legs as you rise from the kneeling stance. Pivot to your left as you use a left outward horizontal elbow to strike his abdomen to take him off his feet.

“Hammer of Pain #1” can also be applied at very close range. From a clinch you can use the initial motion to perform a rising elbow that contours your opponent's body and strikes him under the chin. This flows into a tight descending elbow to the left mastoid which is aided by your left hand pulling the opponent's head down and to your left. You can finish him off by wrapping your forearm around his head and pivoting to your left and throwing him with a gaugako technique.

The techniques in the “Hammers of Pain” family have a similarity to the motions used in the techniques of La Canne and can be applied to many of the weapons used in Danse de Rue Savate. The combination of the right enleve flowing into a right lateral is the same motion described in “Hammers of Pain 1”. This motion can also be used parry and cut with a knife, parry and strike with a loaded bandana or cap, or deliver a lateral with the flue.

It is up to you, the zipotero, to explore the potential applications hidden in the motion of the sets of Danse de Rue Savate. This article merely scratches the surface of the possible tactical applications contained within the Initiateur set “Hammers of Pain 1”. Break the techniques down into their parts, analyze them, and put them back together in various ways using the entries, techniques, and manipulations of other sets to provide the variations to help you grow in your understanding of the principles of Danse de Rue Savate.

“It is always better to give than to receive.”

Initiateur Nilgai

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