Russian Martial Art Systema
Don’t just survive, prevail.
This Class is Currently On Hold!
Check Out Our Current Schedule!
Systema (Система, literally meaning The System) is a martial art and self defense style originating out of Russia that has been brought over to the United States after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Systema is a Russian martial art rooted in centuries-old combative traditions and survival-based hand-to-hand methods. Unlike rigid rule-based systems, Systema emphasizes principles over patterns, teaching practitioners how to respond with fluid, adaptive movement, breath control, timing, and relaxed power under pressure. Throughout its modern development, Systema has been applied for personal protection, unit training for military and law enforcement, and as a complete approach to physical performance and self-awareness.
At Fort Worth Combatives, our Systema program blended striking, grappling, weapon awareness, and internal mechanical principles into an environment focused on movement economy, positional control, and adaptive problem solving. While we saw strong interest and valuable progress from students, this class is currently on pause and is not part of the regular weekly schedule.
We are one, if not currently the only school, in the United States certified to teach not only Systema Vasiliev under Vladimir Vasiliev Director and Chief Instructor of Systema Headquarters, Toronto. But also a certified Siberian Cossack Systema School under Andrey Karimov. We have also been lucky enough to spend some time training in IZVOR Systema under Michael Grudev, Systema Talanov with Valentin Talanov, Combat Systema with Kevin Secours, and Forward Training Concepts under Sonny Puzikas, along with others in the Systema community.
Read More About the History of Systema Here
Please note: Systema is a legacy program here at Fort Worth Combatives and is not actively scheduled at this time. The training principles and combative thought processes introduced in this class continue to influence our current curriculum, especially in how we approach contextual pressure training, breathing under stress, and movement-based solutions.
Where to Train Similar Skills Today
If you’re here looking for movement-driven self-defense, adaptive responses, or real-world combatives, consider these current classes that capture many of the same outcomes::
- ALIVE!™ Combatives – Reality-based, pressure-tested training in timing, movement, and adaptive defense against resisting partners.
- Sport & Combat Sambo – Practical throws, grips, takedowns, and defensive transitions that build effective body control.
- Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® & Combatives – Structured self-defense learning with emphasis on leverage, control, and stress-tested application.
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