On 26, Rue d’Enghien, in Paris, a plaque indicates that here is practiced: Boxe Française, modern savate, stick, cane, umbrella, fencing and weight training. In my earlier years, I crossed the porch and arrived in a courtyard, then took the well-polished wooden staircase to go up to the second floor. The master was sitting behind his desk, waiting to introduce my son and me to the place. On the left was a room for massage, and on the right, the training room with its impeccable parquet floor. At the back, to the right, was the room dedicated to weight training, equipped with dumbbells and apparatus made by Jean Lafond himself. In the annex were the changing rooms with a shower and a sauna, also self-made. A curiosity decorated the locker rooms: old black suitcases with the names of the regulars who stored their boxing gear there.
This setting might seem old-fashioned, but I would call it traditional because, here, Boxe Française, was a matter of heritage – of lineage. Jean followed the teaching of his father Roger (and himself of his father Eugene); together, they created and refined their combat sport, the “Roger and Jean Lafond Method.” He was an accomplished sportsman, holding a diploma in physical education, He was also a lifeguard and, along with his father, managed a private beach in Normandy for many years. Nonetheless, Jean Lafond rejected the term “martial arts,”and furthermore, the title “master” exasperated him.
The physical training he taught was far from bodybuilding because it was focused on health, flexibility and fitness; the search for an imposing musculature was not the goal. Several students from the physical training establishment of Professor Desbonnet, located nearby, rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, started here when their gym was converted to offices. Their gym had been founded in 1885 by the pioneer of physical training in France. It had the same Parisian atmosphere of the “Belle époque.”
Jean deepened his knowledge by becoming a masseur. For two years, he was the assistant of Doctor De Sambucy, the originator of French osteopathy. This experience influenced his practice and his teaching as he insisted on the respect for the body and its natural possibilities.
Boxe Française according to Jean Lafond
Courses in the Roger and Jean Lafond Method consist of learning many sequences, which vary the levels of contact required to lead the partner into making errors. Priority is given to kicks, usually with the front leg, delivered without retracting it before striking, in order to be as lively and unpredictable as possible. After a demonstration, the famous magician Gérard Majax told Jean: “We do the same thing. We get attention to fool people.” After that, Majax became a regular student.
Another characteristic, neglected in modern practice, is swinging back the arm when kicking for balance and aesthetics. The blows are delivered in bursts, with fast strikes that “sting,” followed with a quick return to guard. Generally, after a session of savate, we would follow up with an English boxing session (hands only).
After repetition of techniques, we move on to responding to free attacks. We then realize that the learned sequences come automatically. It becomes an elegant fight with constant movements and fast techniques to disrupt the partner. Jean’s role model was the American boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, whose elegant style, relaxed and in constant motion, made him a true legend.
It was almost impossible to hit Jean, who could see every blow coming. “Don’t look where you’re going to hit, you’re giving me an indication.” Other remarks such as, “You couldn’t punch through a paper bag with that” were meant to motivate the student to train at higher intensity.
The weapons in the Roger and Jean Lafond Method
The main weapon is a light cherry wood cane. The Lafond method of cane uses the same principles as Boxe Française itself: feinting before striking in order to attract the attention of the partner before delivering an unexpected blow to another part of his body. There is no retracting of the cane before striking either–everything happens around the wrist, switching from the right hand to the left hand. The hits come at amazing speed. It is not uncommon to come out with one’s chest striped by the impacts. To protect the head in practice, therefore, one puts on a helmet.
The training of the French long stick is done in the same way, keeping it in constant motion by sliding it smoothly between the hands to benefit from all its possibilities.
The defensive handling of the umbrella is also taught with emphasis on hooking with the curved handle. Jean’s father, Roger, taught this method to the British actor Patrick MacNee for the famous TV series ” The Avengers”.
The combat mix for self defense
If Jean, like Roger, insisted on the elegant side of their discipline, they also created “the Panaché de combat ” that uses “rotten” moves. The feint is always the key method used to get rid of malicious individuals. It is not only a question of countering attacks, but of taking and keeping the initiative in the fight when confrontation seems inevitable. In this case, words and the gestures are used to divert attention followed by a flurry of strikes.
The blows are mainly strikes on sensitive points (chin, solar plexus, liver, carotids, genitals, etc.). The heel of the palm of the hand is used a lot because many people get hurt by hitting with their fists; the “finger spike” is used because it can be felt even through a jacket, and finally the edge of the hand is not forgotten.
The counters to blows, hold and knives attacks are also worked on with simple techniques, based on natural and fast movements, and a few throws. The ground game is also studied; in this case, it is a question of avoiding the blows when one is on the ground. Elegance is no longer the question; rather, one does everything possible to save one’s skin .
The clientele
The regulars of the Lafond gym were looking for personal defense, a sport and a method of physical training at the same time. These regulars can be referred to as “customers,” because it is a private studio with a professional teacher. The students were numerous, because the gym was open from 8 am to 10 pm, with both group training and private lessons. People also came for Jean’s charismatic personality – his outspokenness, humor and infectious energy. This room had a friendly atmosphere, and everyone talked with each other. One met businessmen, doctors and lawyers, as well as waiters, neighboring shopkeepers, actors (Clovis Cornillac trained for 3 years) and prostitutes from the nearby rue Saint Denis: all these people mixing in a good mood. If anyone didn’t respect this, Jean would throw them out, as happened to a famous actor who, according to Jean, “played it up” a little too much.
A complete practitioner of combat sports and self defense
The range of disciplines taught at the Lafond hall was rich. He was very friendly with Robert Duranton, a famous bodybuilder and wrestler. Jean was also a black belt in karate, but he did not continue. He also did several “technical exchanges” with experts of this martial art who had just arrived from Japan, acquitting himself admirably in these encounters.
The combat sport that Jean recommended as a complement to his method was academic fencing, because of its work on movements congruent with its own techniques, not “bastardized” into modern sports fencing. Traditional Judo, supple and elegant, as well as Capoeira with the quality of its kicks and movements, also interested him.
He was a well-rounded person who savored the pleasures of life. He participated in car races, went on photo safaris, and he enjoyed gastronomy and shows. On weekends, he often retired to his Normandy home, thought he truly was a connoisseur of Paris, which he crisscrossed on his motorcycle. He only took the metro once in his entire life!
Five years ago, I was shocked to learn of Jean’s death. I phoned my son who had been going with me since he was 10 years old to the gym on the rue d’Enghien. He was saddened: “It seems unreal,” he said. Jean was a part of our lives, and his memory will stay with us forever. He was an inspiring character who deeply affected his students. His method is still alive and well, and I personally continue to train daily according to his precepts alone, as well as with my son or with friends.
Jean-Pierre LeLoup has authored a remarkable book (currently only in French):
This book is based on the story of true adventures, those of Jean-Pierre Vignau, whose existence is a real challenge. Abandoned by his mother, he spent his youth on a farm in Morvan and did not know how to read until the age of 28. His encounters with martial arts, Japanese culture and inspiring people enabled him to survive incredible situations as an adventurer, bouncer, stuntman, and jailbird. From his adventures he gained real wisdom which, through the author, he wants to share. His philosophy of life is pragmatic and proven in the worst conditions., yet the principles he found can be applied effectively in one’s daily life.