Like most western martial arts, the fighting styles from Russia have their origins in combat sports and military combatives. As of 2010, the most popular Russian arts are Systema and Sambo, says martial arts historian Dave Coffman. Of these arts, Samba is a grappling sport art with a base in defined techniques. Systema comes from mililtary hand to hand training, with a more conceptual base from which individual practitioners apply technique. Although training with a live instructor is always the best choice, you can learn the basics from videos in your own home.
Step 1
Set up your training area, which should be a minimum of 200 square feet. Hang your punching bag in one corner. Clear the floor of all objects. If possible, lay down some mats or several layers of carpet remainders. Russian martial arts use lots of ground techniques, which can be hard on bare cement or tile.
Step 2
Find training videos for the Russian martial arts you chose. You can order beginning training courses from the home pages of systema or sambo schools, or from any of the online martial arts supply stores. Many user-generated video sites and martial arts forums also have good video of Russian martial techniques.
Step 3
Commit to learning new material two days per week. During each of your learning days, focus on one technique from your training video. Review it until you feel you can practice it correctly without looking back at the video. Learn one technique per week, introducing yourself to it on the first day and refining your understanding on day two.
Step 4
Write a detailed description of the technique in your training journal at the end of your learning session.
Step 5
Practice your martial arts three times per week. At each practice session, practice your newest technique 50 times in the air and 50 times on your punching bag. Also take time to review two or three techniques from previous weeks.
Step 6
Get feedback whenever possible. Many schools offer a distance learning program, or you could post video of yourself on relevant martial arts forums.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice diligently and with focus, seeking constantly to improve. Former US Judo Coach Phil Porter advises that basic competence with a martial arts skill begins once you've practiced a technique 5,000 times.
Things You'll Need
- Training journal
- Punching bag
References
- "The Tao of Jeet Kun Do"; Bruce Lee; 1975
- Phil Porter, President, USMA, Sacramento, CA
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