Russian storm fighting competition video

**EricH** · Posted On: 5/30/2008 10:34pm

Saw this posted on Martial Talk the other day. i wanted to put it in the history forum but couldn't find it... is it gone?

This is footage of Russian "old style storm fighting". I find it interesting because it is representatively and uniquely russian in the looseness of the limbs, pelvis, and shoulders and in the chaining rather than chambering of strikes and kicks.

This influence can clearly be seen in systema. i wanted to post this in the history forum as a contribution to the argument that systema does have at least some old russian roots. .. if anyone here cares.

Even if nobody here cares it is still some righteous competition footage of a distinctly different striking style.

enjoy!

YouTube - Old Style Storm Fighting 1994

**G-Off** · Posted On: 5/30/2008 10:55pm

Interesting video...good find. (It could do with some straight punches though)

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 5/30/2008 11:16pm

systema punching?

**SFGOON** · Posted On: 5/31/2008 12:13am

The emphasis on keeping relaxed is evident in almost all of slavic excercise culture. The guys in this video have a typical novice reaction to panic and pain, which is to stiffen up and turn away.

Knowing what I know now, (thanks in large part to the instruction of EricH,) I can see what they're trying to accomplish with that style, but for most competitors it just degenerates into a schoolyard haymaker brawl. They don't seem to have the cool head and presence of mind to lure the other guy into a decent punch.

The guys at the end did a damn fine job. If they knew how to punch better, they wouldn't have had to throw so many.

**colonelpong2** · Posted On: 5/31/2008 2:06am

Fascinating. I am particularly intrigued by the lack of emphasis on guarding the head. They appear to be focussed just on blow trading. I can see the value of this. It appears to be more of a pure aggression based approach. This is very valid in terms of an actual brawl, the kind of thing that is handy in terms of general basic self defence concepts.
Sorry, im not wording that very well due to my current inebriation, but at least I know what I mean....

**socratic** · Posted On: 5/31/2008 6:00am

Very aggressive, but not really that much skill. To me it looked more like untrained people flailing. I think they would have been much improved if they defended themselves and had a bit better punching training. That said, those spinning back punches looked kinda cool.

**Odacon** · Posted On: 5/31/2008 6:12am

Guys this is tragically bad, there's is zero difference between that and this:

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

**Gezere** · Posted On: 5/31/2008 8:09am

I disagree Odacon. They gypsies in your vid punched way better.

In the first vid I say flailing, flailing, flailing, a few punches, flailing.
I do understand the Russian idea of keeping relaxed but it didn't translate well in that clip. It seemed more of a surprise that there was a clean hit than by design.

**Sakmongkol** · Posted On: 5/31/2008 4:05pm

I could kick all of their arses simply by using the 1-2 combination.

Slappy, flailing haymakers possesing reasonable power but quite easy to evade. The throwing of such punches also opens you up to a KO as you its hard to keep your chin tucked and eyes on the opponent.