Savate (French Boxing) Mouthguards

Quick answer: in savate (French boxing), the mouthguard is part of the equipment required of competitors, in assaut as in combat. It has to stay in place against a fouetté or a chassé to the face, let you breathe through fast-paced rounds and let you hear the referee. A well-moulded boil-and-bite model is enough to discover the discipline; a custom-fit model becomes worthwhile as soon as bouts and competitions pile up.

In this guide

1. Assaut and combat
2. Kicks to the face
3. Breathing and rounds
4. Choosing by level
5. Clubs, juniors and inspection

Assaut or combat: two formats, one protection

Savate, or French boxing, distinguishes assaut, where touches are controlled and power is forbidden, from combat, where blows are landed with force. In both cases, the federal rules place the mouthguard among the compulsory protective equipment alongside the gloves and savate boots. Even in assaut, a poorly judged touch, crossed legs or a head coming forward can reach the mouth.

The format matters for your choice: an assaut fighter mainly wants discretion and the ability to speak, while a combat fighter needs enough thickness in front of the incisors and a fit that does not shift when taking a shot. Check the current version of the rules of the French Savate Federation before a competition: the requirements may specify the accepted condition or colour.

Taking a fouetté or a chassé to the face

What sets savate apart is kicking with shoes on. A fouetté to the head or a frontal chassé arrives with different momentum from a straight punch, often from the side and with a hard surface. The mouthguard, or gum shield, must cover the whole upper arch, wrap the canines well and spread the shock without tipping. A model that is too short at the back or poorly fitted shifts on the first lateral impact.

Judge the retention with your mouth open: if the guard drops when you relax your jaw, it will not hold under a kick. Test it in assaut at gradually increasing speed, then while moving and slipping, before approving it for combat.

Breathing and talking during the rounds

Savate rounds demand a sustained pace, with a lot of footwork and feints. A mouthguard that is too thick or poorly shaped gets in the way of breathing through the mouth and forces you to clench your teeth constantly, which tires the jaw. Look for a profile that lets air through and does not touch the palate more than necessary.

In assaut, the referee gives brief instructions and the fighter must be able to answer. A stable model that stays on the upper arch when you speak saves you from pushing it back into place after every exchange. The boxing guide details the same criteria for punch-only sparring.

Boil-and-bite or custom-fit, depending on your practice

For your first classes and educational bouts, a carefully moulded boil-and-bite mouthguard (thermoformable, moulded at home in hot water) lets you get used to wearing protection. Follow the instructions, let it cool and check the retention before the next session. Do not trim the model beyond what the manufacturer allows.

From several sessions a week, in combat or in competition, a custom-fit mouthguard made from your dental impression gives a more precise fit and controlled thickness at the front. At Proteksports, generally allow 5–10 days after your impression has been approved, so plan ahead of a championship. For kickboxing-style disciplines with continuous striking, the Muay Thai and kickboxing guide rounds off this advice.

Clubs, young fighters and equipment inspection

Many savate clubs welcome children and teenagers from their junior boxing school onwards. In a young person, growth and erupting teeth quickly make a mouthguard unsuitable: check the fit at the start of every season and after any dental change. With orthodontic braces, ask the orthodontist for advice before choosing.

On weigh-in or equipment inspection day, the guard must be clean, in good condition and properly fitted. A crack, a sharp edge or a deformation means it should be replaced. Clubs can kit out a whole group in the gym’s colours through the club offer.

Fit, care and ordering

The steps common to all sports are in the instructions and the comparison.

In savate, check the rules for your category before ordering, then test the model in assaut before wearing it in combat.