Rachel's Systema Writings >> Assorted Essays >> A Few Thoughts on Systema Strikes A Few Thoughts on Systema Strikes With strikes in particular, the Systema way is so very different from most other martial arts. I think that Systema strikes are one of the most unique aspects of the System. The hard part about striking in the Systema way is that if your arms and shoulders are not relaxed, it is nearly impossible to achieve the dynamic, fluid, 3-dimensional movement of the trinity strike, the feint, and other sneaky Systema punches. I always think of strikes as 'leveling the playing field.' It doesn't matter how big and strong you are, nor likewise how small and weak you are. Bigger and stronger doesn't necessarily mean a better strike. Precision, accuracy, and timing are much more relevant than strength. Plainly stated, the guys respect my martial skill much more when we are striking each other, and for a few stubborn types, they do not respect my skill at all until after I've hit them. A big part of learning to strike is learning to accept blows. You can't get within striking range of someone without being close enough for them to also hit you. It's going to happen, no matter how good you are. If your movements are entirely dictated by the desire to avoid being struck, then your goal of striking the other person(s) becomes secondary and often, completely forgotten. When I see my partner hyperextending his arms in an attempt to reach me without me reaching him, or if he starts to back away from me, leading me halfway across the gym, or if he ducks down into a low guard to protect his head without ever trying to land a strike of his own, then I know that fear has overtaken his movements and it's time to slow down a bit. It's not easy to be stoic about being hit in the face. When I spar with Edgar, I know it's going to happen, because Edgar has this sneaky way of getting inside my 'blind spot.' The sooner he hits me, the better, because this way I can get the fear out of the way and just accept that in order to land a strike, I'll probably have to take two or three from a superior opponent. And sometimes, I'm basically faking it. I don't want to get close to Edgar's fists, and I'd just as soon run out the door and keep running. But sometimes, you can fake it till you make it. By forcing myself not to yield, back away, hyperextend, or just plain run away, I somehow muster up the courage to keep trying to strike a man I know can knock me senseless in two or three seconds (naturally Edgar would never do this, but it's within his capability, for sure). Courage is no small part of Systema training, and the new tag line "Courage. Strength. Humility." sums it up nicely. If you can run away from a conflict, then run away, that's always my first line of defense. But combatives begin where the running away option ends. If you must engage, then you might as well finish it quickly so the running away option becomes viable again. Backing away from a striking partner is a bad habit, IMO, unless you have some greater goal in mind, such as luring him over a steep cliff. Otherwise, backing away signals fear and will increase the motivation of your assailant. As Vlad has told us many times in past seminars, making your assailant lose his motivation and give up is an effective strategy. The sooner he gives up, the less likely that either of you will be hurt. Yesterday in class we were fighting on the ground, and my partner got a hold of my ankle. I suggested that he should break the ankle if the opportunity arose. "Oh, I wouldn't want to break someone's ankle!" he replied. But why not? An ankle break is a relatively humane way to end a conflict. The assailant can't stand up and therefore, you will be able to run away. The damage isn't permanent, a broken ankle might heal in six months. It's probably safer than kicking him in the head or any other potentially lethal tactics. It might be enough to make him give up (unless, of course, he has a knife or a gun, which is why running away makes a lot of sense to me!) I've rambled on long enough but as far as Systema striking and other styles, I don't know how compatible they are. For many other skill sets, like grappling, joint locks, pain compliance, throws, etc., there is some overlap. There are only so many ways to lock an elbow and joint locks are common to nearly every martial art. But Systema strikes seem to be in a class by themselves, in my perspective. So I believe it's worth dipping a toe into the proverbial water of Systema strikes, even if Systema is not your primarily style.