About Systema

‘No rules. No belts. No nonsense. The system – a fighting art without all the needless baggage.’ Black Belt Magazine.

Systema is an ancient Russian martial art adapted for use in modern warfare by the Russian Special Operations and the Soviet spy network. Needing the fastest and most effective training regime for their elite fighters and undercover operatives, the Soviets experimented with many combat arts, only to rediscover the most deadly and sophisticated among their own traditional Slavic hill-fighting roots.

Until recently Systema was hidden by the highest levels of the Soviet classification only to be opened up to the West by Russian Masters Vladimir Vasiliev and Mikhail Ryabko.

Subtle, brutal and uncompromising it covers all aspects of combat training from hand-to-hand to the use of weapons in any and all combat enviroments. With no forms or kata to memorize, no techniques, no belts, no predetermined attitudes to conform to, just natural movement that can be practiced for a lifetime. Resulting in the development of a deep understanding of human nature, Systema is truly a unique and boundless art.