Systema.....The
Russian Art of Hand to Hand Combat and Survival
Article by Aaron Ellis…
I have been involved in self defence, kickboxing, Muay Thai
and the martial arts for 15 years. My exploration into the realm of Russian
strength training and Kettlebells led me to the fascinating and effective
Russian martial art known as Systema; "the system" emphasizes
versatility and improvisation in combat while utilizing brutally effective
fighting techniques. There are: No stances. No training forms. No formalities.
No rituals. No belt levels. No colourful name.
It's known only as "the system,"
Russian immigrant Vladimir Vasiliev, who used to instruct
Soviet Special Forces in the system, currently teaches the style to students at
a school just outside
The system stresses a realistic approach to self-defence,
recognizing that real conflicts bear no resemblance to what occurs in the
training environment or in sport based martial arts.
Techniques are based on the natural movement of the body
rather than a prearranged pattern of moves, such as a karate kata. Students act
on instinct, rather than memory, when responding to an attack. The system is perhaps best described as a
close-range style that combines wrestling manoeuvres with practical
street-effective techniques. One of the
key strengths of Systema, a strength quickly noticed by anyone observing a
class, is the diverse nature of the training. The diversity of the training is
something that probably stems from the diverse requirements of the special
operations professional. In one class, a student of the System may practise
push drills, escape from grabs, work against knife attacks, rolling movements
and takedowns.
The System thrives on spontaneity and flowing movement.
Despite the diverse range of training drills, there are some basic principles
that are constantly stressed. Maintaining form and efficient spinal alignment,
relaxation, constant movement and correct breathing habits. By breathing
effectively, the practitioner learns to keep the body relaxed. The Systema
practitioner likes to manoeuvre with a relaxed body as this allows for more
possibilities or more strategies. A relaxed body is less likely to sustain
injury than one that is tense. Even during a self defence situation, the
intention is to keep the spine straight. By doing this, the practitioner gains
efficient balance and his awareness levels are greatly increased. The curved
forward animalist posture that may be seen in other arts is avoided in Systema
for such a posture creates a very different mind set. In the System, the
practitioner remains calm but focused as opposed to charging in with wild
aggression and muscular zeal. The breathing skills are developed consistently
throughout training so that, under pressure, the person can use them to remain
calm and functional. The Systema practitioner operates using flowing movement
to overcome an attacker; indeed movement is favoured over trying to oppose the
force of the opponent’s punch or kick. At times the person will simply flow
around an enemy’s punch or he may redirect the punch thus using the attacker’s
aggression to his advantage. This is not a simple cause and effect style where the
student learns a set technique to deal with set attacks. The defence and attack
mutually connect with subtle angles and fluid motion.
The freedom of movement within the System gives the
practitioner a sense of endless possibilities. A gateway to one’s potential,
perhaps.......? It also allows one to deal effectively with the infinite number
of attacks and scenarios that can occur. Strikes, takedowns and joint
manipulation are all fair games and very much a part of the Systema
practitioner’s arsenal. No area of hand to hand combat is favoured over the
others. Perhaps one could say that the desired technique is the one that gets
the job done as quickly and effectively as possible. The takedowns are based on
leverage; timing and balance not power lifter style strength. All physical
action requires some element of strength but the System seems to avoid making
combat too much of a strength game.
Now you might argue that if you have strength why not use
it? The answer here is simple: You don't always have strength on your side. In
a military environment, you may be starving, injured and exhausted. You may
have been marching for days, through snow or jungle, under harsh, cold
conditions such as this strength can be lost quickly. Even civilians can find
themselves in a predicament where strength is not an option. For example, you
may be feeling sick or injured on the day you are attacked. Strength can leave
the body. Moreover, it is dangerous to get into a wrestling match when your
opponent is stronger or more powerful. The observations of certain Russian
Special Operations veterans suggests that strength and excessive aggression can
make one tired very quickly. One can not afford to tire quickly when there is
more than one attacker.
The art may favour movement but do not let this mislead you
into thinking it is devoid of conditioning work. All attributes have their
place in combat and so the student should expect to do encounter plenty of
interesting exercises. These exercises not only enhance physical attributes
such as tendon strength, flexibility and endurance, they give confidence and a
strong feeling of vitality to the diligent. The priority when doing these
unique exercises is very much in the breathing but they will help develop
mobility and functional power. In tangent with the physical exercises are more
specific breathing exercises designed to relax the practitioner and remove
stress. There are even health boosting exercises and practises but some such
areas would be best learnt direct from one of the Senior Systema teachers. All
the exercises in the System seem to link the physical and mental together. The
art does not try to categorize or separate the different objectives. The
emphasis on natural movement means that injuries are far less likely to occur
and the breathing itself can help prevent much harm.
When it comes to the combative movement, the practitioner
can use various parts of the body as a weapon. The hands, elbows, knees, and
feet are just some of the tools at hand. Even the hip or shoulder can provide
damage to the attacker when required. The strikes of Systema flow from one to
another and wreck havoc on the opponent’s sense of awareness and his body
structure.
In contrast to some martial arts, the strikes and takedowns
can be delivered from any position and there is no pre strike chambering or
positioning required. The beauty of this is that strikes can be delivered even
in awkward situations such as when one is in a confined space or even in a car.
The strikes can have unusual effects on an opponent; they project from unusual
angles and they distort the attacker’s sense of timing and balance. Of course,
while techniques and movement can be of great value, there is one concept that
is really embraced: awareness. A typical Systema class will always increase
one’s sense of awareness. Awareness can prevent one from even entering a
dangerous situation or it can give one a chance to move away from the danger.
So how is awareness developed in the System? Almost every
aspect of a Systema class is designed to strike home the awareness concept.
Each exercise and drill develops some form of awareness. There are some very
specific drills as well. Awareness of one’s capabilities, awareness of one’s
attacker and awareness of the unexpected are just a few examples of different
realms of awareness. They also remind students that the art deals on the
physical and psychological aspects of survival. Indeed, survival is favoured
over gung ho futility by the realist. This may even mean that one simply rolls away
from an attack and escapes.
Entering the art of the System can be an exercise in
clearing the body of tension. Tension: that has infiltrated the body through
one’s adventures, defeats and near misses. It helps clear the mind of bad
training habits and dangerous mistakes.
If one wants to become more aware of Systema’s depths or simply... more
aware...the best advice would be to try to attend one of the seminars or better
still head to
For further info visit: www.russianmartialart.com.
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