A brief history of Systema

There is no historical "real name" for these arts. In many cases, it's common to simply see "Russian martial arts" used, although that can lead to some confusion. In a sense, the name "Systema" (the system) can be thought of as a generic title comparible to "Kung Fu" ("one who is highly skilled" or "time" and "effort").

At least in Ryabko's Systema, "The System" is a reference to the various systems of the body (Muscle, Nervous system, respiratory system, etc) as well as elements of Psychology and the Spirit.

Because there have been and still are a number of different fighting styles common throughout the Russian military and special forces, several other names and nicknames are commonly mistaken for Systema. For example, some troops and special forces personnel train in "boevoe sambo" (combat sambo), which is a separate art. Also, troops would refer to whatever was taught as "rukopashka" (Russian slang for "hand to hand"), or "machalka" or "boinia" (Russian slang for "fighting" and "beating"). The name "Combat Sambo Spetsnaz" was coined by the Soviet government to misdirect Systema's relation to Sambo, and there is little relation between the two styles.

The first Soviet practitioners of Systema were Joseph Stalin's personal bodyguards. After Stalin's death, Systema became the style of fighting employed by some Special Military Operations Units for high risk missions in Spetsnaz, GRU and other government facilities. There were and are a number of different combat arts trained throughout Russian special forces units, and Systema is only one of them.

It is due to the Soviet Union's strict ban on non-sanctioned traditions, and the sensitivity of special forces training, that it was not until after the cold war that Systema became known. Systema's pre-Soviet Russian heritage is only recently being rediscovered.

Although there is some controversy over historical proof, Systema's Russian martial arts heritage is believed to date back to the 10th century. There are family and traditional styles which have existed in Russia, some of which are becoming more visible. It's possible that Systema's roots go deep into family styles which were never named or taught openly and kept as closely guarded secrets during the Soviet reign. Many believe that the early practitioners of Systema are the Bogatyr (Russian heros/knights).

Another theory holds that modern Systema is one product of the intensive research and development project carried out by several generations of hand to hand combat instructors at the Dinamo training facility in Moscow between roughly 1920-1980. If so, that would place Systema in the same stream of military close-combat training as combat SAMBO and related styles. All of these methods were developed over several decades and drew from a very wide range of traditional Russian and other national martial arts styles as well as research into military close-quarters combat from many other countries, Russian advances in sports science and psychology, etc. In particular, modern Systema may be a development of SAMOZ, which was a specialized form of close-combat training devised by Victor Spiridonov, one of the founders of modern SAMBO.

Contemporary Systema

Systema is counted alongside a number of pre-Soviet traditions which are being actively cultivated by the Russian government. In 2004, the Dinamo Sports Center played host to a demonstration and celebration of martial traditions.

It is still a relative unknown, but Systema or relatives to it are being taught by several practitioners inside and outside of Russia. Of particular interest is that different people from different backgrounds were taught subtle variations of Systema.

Furthermore, since practitioners train in their own preferred manner and with their individual understanding, their style expressed in their art is unique to them. This is most readily seen with senior students and other high-level artists.

• Kadochnikov's Systema
• Ryabko's Systema

Popular misperceptions and controversies concerning Systema

Due to the widespread online availability of excerpts from Systema training videos and DVDs, a number of controversies have erupted on various martial arts message boards and forums. Most of these controversies are based on misperceptions of what is being presented in the video excerpts, which typically appear out of their original context.

Amongst the most common misperceptions are that:

• Systema consists of a compilation or curriculum of defined fighting techniques. In fact, Systema offers a pedagogical system of largely improvised training exercises rather than the more common hierarchy of techniques and pre-set training drills.

Many of these exercises are designed to reinforce the fundamental biomechanical attributes of breathing, movement, form (or posture) and relaxation. The exercises alternate between movement, sensitivity and conditioning drills and many different types of controlled sparring. Students are encouraged to use these exercises creatively, to experiment with a wide range of tactical and technical options.

• Systema consists entirely of "slow motion, compliant sparring". In fact, Systema training uses improvised slow-motion sparring-type exercises to allow students to safely experiment with various techniques and strategies, as described above. These exercises become progressively harder, faster and more realistic as the student develops the skill to handle more dangerous training situations safely.

• Systema advocates psychic knock-downs or other forms of ostensibly magical fighting techniques. In fact, Systema training exercises include some movement and sensitivity drills that have often been mistaken for demonstrations of telekinesis when viewed out of their original, intended context. The actual object in these exercises is for the student to respond to very subtle visual cues from their instructor by collapsing or otherwise moving away from a "threat", which is represented by the instructor gesturing towards the student's body with an open palm or similar action. Divorced of their intended context, this creates the illusion of a telekinetic push or throw. Another explantion for this is simply that we all have the natural tendency to flinch in response to a perceived attack. Experienced practitioners with a sound knowledge of body mechanics as well as vulnerable areas of the body can demonstrate neutralization of attacks with deceptive body movements, and with very light or no contact with the opponent. 

Influenced by Systema

Because Systema is a strong influence in serious practitioners, and because training often prompts the practitioner to revisit how they train, there may be an evolution of Systema happening in each practitioner.

As some students train to become instructors in their own right, their understanding evolves and they ultimately teach a personal and more contemporary version of their understanding. In some cases this personal understanding keeps the same name, and in some cases a new name is warranted.

Some practitioners take their understanding, their own preferences and their own arts to create a Hybrid martial art. Others use the experience for cross training, to supplement their own training programs.

• Kadochnikov's Systema
• Ryabko's Systema