Systema

I have never seen anything legit from any Systema stuff I've come across. Seriously, the last 30 seconds of that vid should be enough to tell you what to expect. Jedi mind tricks, over-compliant training and such.

Disregard Systema - Acquire Sambo.

(ROSS is the only thing close to not crazy I've seen come out of Russia beside all the Sambos. ANd it even has some batshit insane stuff in it.)

Also I'd like to point out that I don't think the Russian Military (spetznas) are really training this mind control part of systema.

bcwcmw- I agree with you brudda. Spetznas are some serious bad dudes so I dont see them training in a style that mimics "Dim Mak" or whatever the hell that was. It only worked in STAR WARS.

A mixture of SAMBO and KRAV MAGA is more likely to be on the training regimen of Spetznas soldiers.

If you are looking for some sort of military self defense to get into I would suggest Krav Maga.

TAT? Dim Mak also worked in bloodsport. but, as we all know "bricks no hit back".

i think star fleet hand 2 hand combat training is the best way to go:

I studied systema for a while under Vladimir Vasiliev in Toronto. I also have close friends who have gone to Russia to train with Mikhail Ryabko. The stuff they do, though it may not look it on video, is legit. The paradigm, however, is completely different from what you are used to in a sport grappling context. When you throw guns, knives, multiple opponents into the mix the nature of the game changes. Engaging fully with a single opponent can lead to a knife in the back or worse. As long as you realize that, and don't try to compare the two in unrealistic ways you can have a lot of fun with systema.

I found systema training has a lot in common with the way we train in BJJ and submission grappling. Most of the class is spent slow-speed sparring, basically taking the speed and intensity down a notch so you can practice in a safe, yet realistic, manner. You spend a lot of time having people come at you with knives, sticks, punches, et cetera. You slowly condition yourself to get used to being attacked like this, and develop methods for countering their advances.

The strikes in systema are excellent, and definitely worth learning on their own. They have a really subtle way of developing a lot of power from unconventional movements. Anderson Silva's striking is probably the closest corollary in the MMA world. Their strikes seem almost too relaxed to have any power, but they are devastating. You spend a lot of time punching each other with varying levels of intensity and without gloves. You get a really good feel for how and where to strike effectively, and how to effectively take a punch. This is probably the least pleasant aspect of the training, but it is very rewarding. The time I've spent training systema has really helped me appreciate Silva's unorthodox striking style, especially his famous KO against Griffin.

The takedowns they use are a bit difficult to get unless you realize the difference in paradigm. In a ring it is advantageous to engage and control your opponent. In a lethal force environment engaging someone completely is very disadvantageous. Even if you are controlling one opponent you have immobilized yourself and left yourself open to attacks from others. In systema you spend a lot of time working with multiple opponents, learning how to use them off of each other and how to control the situation while maintaining your ability to move.

Systema isn't for everyone, if you don't have some sort of background in grappling or fighting it will be difficult to slow-speed spar effectively. You can fall into the Aikido trap, where people practically throw themselves when the instructor touches them. You have to be able to keep it real while not injuring your training partners. I would consider it more high-level stuff for people who already understand how to fight, and have an appreciation for the subtlety required in lethal force environments.

That being said, I don't know anything about the guy featured in the video. I would suggest checking it out. If the instructor is legit you'll know relatively quickly.