In Savate, Temps translates to “Time,” but it specifically refers to timing or a “beat” in a fight. It is the ability to recognize and exploit the perfect moment to strike.
Think of a fight like a song with a steady rhythm. Temps is the gap between the notes.
How it Works
In a match, every movement takes a certain amount of time:
- The Preparation: Your opponent shifts their weight.
- The Execution: Your opponent throws a punch.
- The Recovery: Your opponent pulls their hand back.
A Savate fighter looks for the “Broken Time”—the split second when an opponent is mid-move and cannot defend themselves. When you strike during this window, you are “fighting in the temps.”
Three Ways to Use “Temps”
- Strict Timing (Coup de Temps): You hit your opponent at the exact same time they try to hit you. Because you are faster or have better reach, your strike lands first, cancelling theirs out.
- The Half-Beat: You wait for them to start a move, then hit them before they can finish it.
- The Recovery Beat: You wait for them to miss a kick, then hit them the moment their foot touches the floor but before they regain their balance.
Why It Matters
- Efficiency: You don’t need a lot of power if your timing is perfect.
- Safety: Hitting someone on the “wrong beat” for them means they are too busy moving to hit you back.
- Control: By mastering temps, you dictate the speed of the fight.
Simple Definition: Temps is hitting your opponent when they are “busy” doing something else.