Systema Russian Martial Arts

General information

Systema (Система, literally meaning The System) is the Russian version of Krav Maga, simple and lethal, but with more than 1000 years of history. One of 3 Russian martial arts.[1] Training includes, but is not limited to: hand-to-hand combat, grappling, knife fighting, and firearms training. Training involves drills and sparring without set kata. In Systema, the body has to be free of tensions, filled with endurance, flexibility, effortless movement, and explosive potential; the "spirit" or psychological state is calm, free of anger, irritation, fear, self-pity, delusion, and pride.[2] It focuses on breathing, relaxation, and fluidity of movement, as well as utilizing an attacker's momentum against him and controlling the six body levers (elbows, neck, knees, waist, ankles, and shoulders) through pressure point application, striking, and weapon applications. As a discipline, it is becoming more and more popular among police and security forces, including the US Secret Service,[3] and it is taught by several practitioners inside and outside of Russia.