“Develops motor skills and thinking”: the benefits of a combat cane

At 40, he is one of the standards of a combat cane. A handyman, French champion at the same time, coach and organizer of the Paris Titis competition, a member of the Panamanian Apaches dreams of developing this sport, which is part of the French Federation of French Boxing and Savate.

Can we say that a fighting cane is a mixture of fencing and boxing?

Xavier Lejeune. A little, but not only. As in fencing, we have a weapon, here is a stick. A fighting cane is a martial art that consists in touching the enemy. The movements are identical to French boxing.

How did the war cane come about?

Historically, the sport originated in the middle of the 19th century, when it was very dangerous to walk the streets of Paris: firstly, because of its slippery lanes, without sidewalks, not to mention the significant risk of being attacked and robbed. This is how the battle cane was born. Ideal for walking, but also for kicks in case of problems.

What is a fighting cane in France?

There should be about 2,000 practitioners in about a hundred clubs. In the world, reed is installed on all continents from Madagascar, Africa, Taiwan, Asia and even Canada. In Europe, cane is grown in ten countries such as Germany, Great Britain or Hungary.

Cane combat attacks reminiscent of scenes from Star Wars?

We often say this. But this is irrelevant. In Star Wars, the combat is brutal. The complete opposite of a fighting cane, where it is important to touch the enemy, and not hit him. We’re not here to hurt.

Is a fighting cane ideal for children?

Absolutely. From the age of 7 or 8, it is a sport that allows them to develop motor skills, reflection, proprioception, ambidexterity, since the cane is used with both the right and left hand. This sport can also resemble chess, as we have six tricks at our disposal that we must use wisely.