Sambo is a fairly new martial art established in the Soviet Union in the 1900′s. The founders have analyzed and borrowed techniques from a number of European and Asian martial arts with the goal of creating a system that’s more efficient and suitable for their military.
“Sambo was meant to be a melding of all of the different martial arts styles available to come up with the most efficient one yet. Living in what amounts to a bridge between Europe and Asia, the Russian people were certainly introduced to a variety of martial arts styles via contact with the Japanese, Vikings, Tatars, Mongols, and more. The combination of what worked from these styles served as the building blocks to what is now referred to as Russian Sambo.” – Robert Rousseau
Video Transcription
In an acronym that translates as self defense without weapons, Sambo is an amalgamation of fighting styles. It employs everything from Karate style kicks and Judo style take-downs to the bone jarring folk wrestling of the Russian Steppes.
Leg Sweep – The Leg Sweep is a move that takes your opponent to the ground. The move begins by dodging the initial assault and forcefully grabbing the opponents wrist with one hand. Then, a quick strike to the head with the other hand throws the opponent off-balance. This allows for a quick leg sweep combined with the pull-down on the collar bone, and a violent take-down. Once on the ground, the fighter pins his knee to the attackers chest, all the while keeping tight control of the wrist.
Side Kick – One of Sambo’s most effective kicks is the side kick. The move begins by using your planted leg as a stabilizing platform. From there, you can explode your striking leg out like a piston and into one of the most vulnerable regions of the opponents body, the rib cage. But, more than just imparting stunning force to your opponents rib cage, the side kick allows a fighter to check his opponent, keeping him at a safe distance unable to shoot in for a takedown.
Calf Crush – One of Sambo’s best submission holds is the Calf Crush. To execute the Calf Crush, a fighter wheels in front of his opponent, spreads his leg through and across the back of his adversaries knee. He then grabs the ankle for leverage and flips his opponent onto his back and cranks down on the bent, isolated leg for greater torque and control.
Scissor Takedown – Sambo’s most agile move is the Scissor Takedown. It begins by hooking your arm under your opponents and clamping down on the sleeve for control. The knee is then kicked up, and the legs splays out across the opponents chest. You then rotate your hips, swing your other leg around his backside, and sweep his legs from behind. The downward force exerted on his Gi pulls your opponent across his tipping point. Along with your bodyweight, you generate enough instability in your opponent to drive his body to the mat like a child tossing around a rag doll.
Hip Throw – One of Sambo’s most impressive throws is the hip throw. It begins by cross-grabbing the other persons sleeve under the armpit stepping in with one foot between his legs, grabbing the back of his belt, then with a jump and a quick twist with your feet, you bend forward and back your hips underneath your opponents. To finish the move, you lean forward, bring your feet together and flip him over your hip, slamming him hard into the mat.
The Leg Sweep, the Side Kick, the Calf Crush, the Scissor Takedown, and the Hip Throw; these are 5 essential moves of a Sambo human weapon.
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