RMA Systema Bonn e.V.

After the fantastic training-weekend we just had with Vladimir and over 100 participants from Europe and overseas, it is naturally difficult to return to the usual training routine.

We had recently been focusing on rapid attacks and the type of footwork needed to counter them.

Part 2 of this analysis deals with countering a potential follow-up attack—ideally before it even begins. Here, too, correct footwork is the key. It is crucial that the body remains capable of moving in any direction at all times. The following video demonstrates how to move on in any desired direction without delay after the initial movement against the first attack. This is the key to countering the inevitable second attack before it happens, and to seizing the initiative in the confrontation.

Part 1 : https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19QF6aV3MM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The "Awareness to action"- Systema - seminar in Bonn is over.
We had participants from across Europe, as well as from Canada and the USA, spanning all levels of experience—from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners.
It was evident once again that Vladimir is able to offer every participant something valuable to help them improve their future training, a very rare ability in the world of Martial arts.
A huge thank you, therefore, goes to Valerie and Vladimir; without their tireless dedication, Systema certainly would not be what it is today.
Another big thank you goes to all the participants, who trained with great enthusiasm yet always in a spirit of friendship, setting a wonderful example of international camaraderie.
Last but not least, I would like to thank the members of our club, Systema Bonn, whose truly outstanding efforts made this event happen and such a success.
We hope you all arrived at home safely and are looking forward to see you all again soon!

With this video and a few upcoming ones, I aim to explain a methodology for neutralizing rapid strikes—and, more broadly, for demystifying the factor of attack speed altogether.

Speed is one of the most overrated factors in physical confrontations. Mikhail has always emphasized that speed plays virtually no role in learning or applying Systema in a real-life
scenario. In our weekly training sessions, I wanted to show the participants why this is the case and help them gain confidence and composure when dealing with fast strikes.

As you might guess, the first step toward this is using the correct footwork at the right moment.

As a reminder:
To land a strike, the attacker must be within the "red zone"—the range where they can score a hit without moving their feet toward the target, because the distance is already sufficient.
The defender's initial task is to determine this red zone as precisely as possible through training, so they know exactly when the attacker enters it. I have written various articles on this subject and frequently mentioned it at seminars.

The first exercise for approaching this topic involves an attacker who moves in and begins their strike as soon as they are within striking range.

This exercise is not about "blocking" the strike or anything similar; it focuses solely on the defender's correct footwork the moment the attacker is about to enter the red zone. Since the attacker holds the initiative at that moment and I do not know how the strike will be executed (left, right, straight, hook, etc.), it is advisable—as shown in the video—to make the initial move at a 45-degree angle, stepping backward and to the side. This ensures that both straight and circular attacks miss their target. Please bear in mind that this is an exercise; in a real-life situation, your hands would naturally be involved as well. However, for this drill, it is very helpful to rely solely on your footwork. A quick note on speed: if you feel—as explained in the video—that your footwork isn't quite right, slow down the speed of the attack until everything is correct. Only then should you gradually progress to full-speed attacks.

In the next video, we will look at what happens when the attacker attempts a second strike— for example, as part of a combination...

Reference for Red Zone : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4jaL2sc_pM&t=98s

Training session 01.09.26

The second part of our brief look at attacks from behind in our regular training dealt with a topic that is, unfortunately, highly relevant across Europe, a sudden knife attack...

Training session 01.09.26

At a time when public attacks have become an everyday occurrence, it is important to address situations that happen frequently and to find potential solutions.

Ask Norbert August

This is the last week of our special month. Last week and this week, we have explored "grabbing". Here is the video from the class, and the insight from Norbert!

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Allowing oneself to be held means accepting the inevitable

Many martial arts focus on defending against grabs or preventing throws. It is often suggested that, with sufficient vigilance, one can prevent a potential attacker from even initiating a grab.
In the real world, however, this is a dangerous misconception. No one—not even the most skilled martial artist—can maintain a level of alertness that allows for the advance detection of every potential attacker or the pre-emptive defense against every sudden assault. On the contrary, attempting to maintain such constant vigilance and a state of high alert will almost certainly take a toll on one’s mental health.
In Systema, however, personal health and well-being are paramount; therefore, constant vigilance aimed at preventing a physical attack is not the solution.
The solution lies instead in becoming aware of one’s own flaws and limitations, accepting them, and using training to mitigate their consequences.
A classic example is dealing with grabs. One might argue that if one is sufficiently alert, an attacker would be unable to launch such an attack without being detected and stopped beforehand.
Consequently, some systems avoid allowing such attacks to occur at all, focusing instead on thwarting them in their very early stages.
Conversely, other systems only begin their defense after the grab or throw technique has already been applied.
In a real-world self-defense scenario, however, both approaches are undoubtedly necessary.
Since I generally cannot know how an attack will unfold, who is involved, or what my own mental and physical state will be as the victim, I have very little opportunity to influence the situation beforehand.
In other words, my training and preparation for such scenarios must address the full range of potential developments.
This involves, in particular, accepting that an attack—such as a grab, a chokehold, or an attempted throw—might occur without me being able to spot or prevent it beforehand. Consequently, my training must address the consequences of the opponent's actions; above all, I must accept the reality that such an attack can happen.
In this sense, working with holds is essentially a matter of working on one’s own mindset—preparing oneself for the possibility of such an event and learning how to handle it. One should also avoid underestimating these types of attacks. There are attackers—such as trained wrestlers or judoka—who specialize almost exclusively in this style of combat and are highly proficient at it.
Furthermore, there are individuals who have previously been victims of violence and consequently face significant psychological challenges in similar situations (for example, a woman with a history of abuse who must come to terms with the fact that a similar attack could happen again). Over the past two weeks, we have focused specifically on these issues during training and sought to find answers. The video offers a brief glimpse into our work…