Recently I was introduced to a friend of a friend. Somehow we got to talking about self defense, which led to me showing him my knife collection. After admiring my blades, he took out my Regulator and asked me to attack him with it. He told me to keep the cardboard on it so that I wouldn't get hurt. Thinking that I knew how to defend myself with a knife, I went for a kill move that I knew. Before I knew it, I had been taken down and the knife that I was holding was pointed at the side of my neck; I was powerless to defend myself. This is how I was introduced to Systema, a form of Russian martial arts.

He spent about an hour teaching me the basics. He demonstrated holds and takedowns that, when executed properly, would disarm any attacker. He showed me how to defend myself against knife and gun attacks. He asked me to point my pellet gun at his chest and pull the trigger. In the time that it took me to pull the trigger, the gun was pointed at my head.

Since then, he has given me a few lessons and I am currently seeking out an instructor, but am having a hard time finding one.

I encourage anyone who is interested in self defense to read up on Systema and maybe consider trying to find an instructor. Watch some videos on YouTube and other sites to see what it's all about. If anyone has any experience with Systema, I'd love to hear about it.

From Wikipedia:
Systema (...;, literally meaning The System) is a Russian martial art.[1] Training includes but not limited to: hand to hand combat, grappling, knife fighting and fire arms training as well. Training involves drills and sparring without set kata. It focuses mainly on controlling the six body levers (elbows, neck, knees, waist, ankles, and shoulders) through pressure point application, striking and weapon applications. Systema is often advertised as being a martial art employed by some Russian Spetsnaz units[1][2] however, Systema teachers would say that that is a small portion of Systema. Instead of viewing Systema as a martial art, they say that Systema as a lifestyle, or a "system" which extends beyond hand-to-hand combat and covers all aspects of life.

Sounds awesome!

I have always been fascinated with different fighting/defense methods. Systema looking very interesting.

When I was searching I came across a site that lists some schools: http://www.russianmartialart.com/main.php?page=affiliates&loc=us

It states: "Only the schools listed on this page are currently certified and recognized to teach Systema as presented by Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko."

Can't really prove how legitimate they really are, but it is a start.

Aren't you glad that cardboard sheath didn't slip off!!!!

i always to wonder how many people wake up right after thinking... "i think i can take em!!!"


seriously though, my only defensive skills are run, hide, and do something before i kiss it goodbye. i know I could stand to have a better plan of action. I've heard of krav maga but not systema. i'm even working on some t-shirt designs for krav maga but honestly haven't looked into any lessons or anything. will make a note to look into systema.

I like parts of Krav Maga. No one system is perfect but many have merit all by themselves. Combined with others, properly trained and with a healthy amount of stress innoculation someone can hold their own.

True

I am a black belt in dirty and mean CQC ... break bones, joints, stab eyes, rupture balls and tear ligaments....then run like hell...!!! Scream like a banshee while doing it...!!!

LOL hahahahaha

i thought this was going to a .45 thread

Well I'm sure there are some 45 year olds practicing it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You are right that no one system is perfect. I have a fair amount of training in Jiu Jitsu and I got my butt handed to me on a silver platter by my friend who was a Systema trainer for many years.

That being said, with my knowledge of Jiu Jitsu, I can combine what I know with what I am learning.

I live in Boston, which overall is a somewhat safe city. With that said, I have been attacked on several occasions. I was mugged late at night in the Commons the first time I came to Boston when I was in High School. I was also mugged another time and walked away with a black eye and no wallet because I fought back (I got to keep my backpack.)

On top of that, I have been harassed by crazies many times, 3 of which turned physical.

The first time, I was near a soup kitchen near China Town when a homeless man asked me for a sip of my drink. When I declined, he grabbed my shirt and tried to pull me back. I turned around and cocked my arm and he ran away.

Another time, I was walking to work down a side street in Downtown Crossing when I met a crazy guy. We were the only two people on the street and he was yelling gibberish to no one in particular. He started to walk towards me, yelling at me to give him money. When I declined, he started following me and yelling stuff like "I'm gonna get you white boy" and "I'm going to tear your A$$ off to get to that money." Eventually I turned around and asked him to stop following me. This is when he attacked. I was able to deflect his attack and put him in a hold. I asked again for him to stop following me and he started screaming that he was going to pop a cap in me. At that point, I started running. He didnt follow me.

Recently, I was waiting for a bus near my new job, when a guy who was about 50 feet away started fastly jogging towards me. When he got near, he started yelling about how I was giving him a look. He ran at me and swung at my face. I maneuvered so that he missed and with his momentum, I was able to take him to the ground head first. At this point, I had my hand on my 0560, ready to knock him in the temple with the butt if he got up and attacked. He got up and ran until he was about 50 ft away. He just stayed there staring at me and pacing back and forth until my bus came. The crazy part is that there were plenty of people around and cops inside the train station just across the street . People just sort of watched as it went down and then went back to reading their phones and kindles when the guy left. Some people are just nuts. I certainly didn't give him any look.

The whole point to my rant here is that there are people out there that wish to do others harm. I think learning self defense is something that everyone should do so that you can protect you and your loved ones.