systema

**johanlook** · Posted On: 3/12/2003 12:01am

I've recently read about a Russian martial art called systema which is said to be very effective in mixed martial arts fights. Does any one know anything about this stuff? Is it any good?

**I Give BJJs** · Posted On: 3/12/2003 12:27am

it's a marketing scam

**SamHarber** · Posted On: 3/12/2003 3:35am

Its a combination of internal styles with a radically different training methodology. Actually, theres not that much style to it either. The way its marketed is awful, playing up the spetznas angle and all that stuff, and theres the expectation to wear combat pants and boots while training (which I refuse to do). The guys who teach it in the UK are good blokes, and I train with one of them every month in taiji (Dave Nicholson).
However... I've not trained in any other MMA environment, so I don't know how it would differ to those.

**Fighty McGee** · Posted On: 3/12/2003 10:42am

Take all the history of it with a grain of salt (a big fat hunk of rock salt), but it is a very flowing, effective style. It greatly resembles a mix of tai chi and bagua, but with emphasis on close range fighting: striking, tripping, off-balancing, and joint locks are prevalent. Regardless of its origins (Cossacks, Spetsnatz, KGB, Aliens, God), it is worthwhile.

**SamHarber** · Posted On: 3/12/2003 11:34am

Johan... What country are you in?

**johanlook** · Posted On: 3/12/2003 7:23pm

~I'm in Australia.

I'm not so concerned about the background of Systema at the moment or the lack of style, but if the principles are effective then it could be of use to me.

Thanks.

Edited by - johanlook on March 12 2003 19:29:33

**SamHarber** · Posted On: 3/13/2003 3:32am

You can probably learn a lot of the principles from bagua and taiji. Check out Earle Montaigue's videos, or if you live close enough, go get some lessons.

**Fighty McGee** · Posted On: 3/13/2003 10:20am

Well, I would say (at least from the Systema that I practiced) that for more immediate benefit, Systema beats Bagua or Tai Chi, because there are no forms per se, just practice and sparring. Makes it a little difficult to practice alone, but you get immediate understanding of the style by intensive partner training.