Sambo is a form of combat wrestling that developed in the Soviet Union. As former Soviet citizens came to the West after the dissolution of the U.S.S.R., they brought their fight sports with them, much as the Chinese and Japanese did in the decades and centuries before. The techniques of sambo wrestling resemble Western wrestling and the moves from judo.
Stance
The standard sambo stance is the core from which an athlete will defend against or initiate and attack. It looks a lot like a wrestling stance, with the feet even and widely spaced, body crouched and arms slightly bent to protect the legs from an attack. In motion, a sambo stylist pays close attention to shifts in his balance and foot position. He also pays attention to the same attributes in his opponent, looking for a mistake that he can turn into an opportunity.
Leg Sweep Takedown
This simple technique resembles a cross between wrestling's single leg takedown and a judo leg sweep. The practitioner moves in concert with his opponent while gripping one elbow with the opposite hand. When he sees an opportunity, he steps around his opponent on the same side as the elbow grab. He pulls down on the elbow while slapping the leg forward and up with his free arm. His opponent will spin backward around his center of gravity and land on his back.
Arm Bar
This submission hold is identical to arm bars from Brazilian jujutsu and judo. The elbow can be bent in the wrong direction until a submission is given in wrestling or the arm breaks in self-defense. One classic arm bar involves pinning the head and body with your legs while pulling the arm between your legs up toward your chest. You then hold the arm in place and arch your hips to place pressure on the elbow until your opponent's will -- or the elbow -- gives in.
Cross Choke
As in judo, choking submissions are legal and viable tactics in sambo. You can apply this choke on the ground from the top or bottom. Initiate the choke by grabbing the collars of the shirt or competition gi in both hands. You should cross your arms and position your hands at 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock relative to the position of your opponent's head. Once you've successfully grabbed, pull your elbows in toward your body. This will tighten the space between your wrists and apply the choke. This is a blood choke, meaning it restricts the flow of blood through the arteries rather than the flow of air through the windpipe.
References
- "Championship Sambo"; Steve Scott; 2006
- Dave Coffman; Martial Arts Historian; Hillsboro, Oregon
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