SAMBO
"SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya"
"Self Defense Without a Weapon"
Sambo was developed in the former Soviet Union as a close quarters combat system for the military. It incorporates techniques from multiple unarmed fighting styles including Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and various folk styles of wrestling from former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan, Georgia and Mongolia.
Since its inception in post-WWI USSR, Sambo has grown and evolved, not only as one of Russia's military combatives systems, but also as a competitive sport with athletes from all over the world.
Sambo was designed to take on regional traits of the people who train in it in order to become more efficient and natural for the user. Thus, 'styles' of Sambo vary quite radically between countries or even between clubs within countries. Some clubs focus more on the Judo and folk wrestling influenced throws and pins and primarily train to compete in 'Sport Sambo.' Other clubs concentrate on the transition from the striking range (punching and kicking) into the throwing range and use their techniques to compete in mixed martial arts or the sport version of 'Combat Sambo.' Furthermore, some clubs will focus on the combatives side of the system, directed more toward self defense or military application; using fluid movement mixed with tactical control and joint manipulation to bring an attacker to the ground and subdue him. Many clubs teach a combination of some or all of these things, creating still more diversity in what it means to train in Sambo.
Even throughout a very diverse population of clubs, there are common threads that link Sambo stylists together. Having strong transitions between phases of combat and fast ground movement is key in any form of Sambo. Consequently, one thing Sambo has become famous for is dynamic rolling or sacrificial techniques that use body weight to bring your opponent to the ground and immediately secure a fight-ending submission hold.
In both Military and Sport versions of Sambo, techniques used to attack the joints in the legs are common. Sambo has become well known for these techniques, often referred to as 'leg-locks,' primarily because they are often illegal in other forms of competitive grappling.
Throws and takedowns are also an extremely important element of any Sambo training. Other grappling arts may not allow many of the throwing techniques used in Sambo (like competitive Judo or Greco-Roman wrestling) or in some cases not train throwing techniques at all, which is common for many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools. Sambo has an extremely eclectic mix of stand up techniques, allowing for almost any form of throw from any style of grappling or wrestling. Because of this, there is no throw that one could say "is not Sambo."
Teaching Method
Another very important distinction between Sambo and other combat systems is the way Sambo is taught. Unlike Judo, Jiu Jitsu or Karate, Sambo does not have a formalized ranking or "belt" system. There is also no enforced spiritual element or religous traditions associated with Sambo, unlike many eastern martial arts. Sambo instruction is not dissimilar to that given in most amateur sport environments, like collegiate wrestling or western boxing.
Body type and individual strengths are always taken into consideration when teaching someone Sambo.
Because of this, it is not important that every member of a club do Sambo the same way but that they find what works best for them. It is not uncommon for someone to be a successful Sambo competitor, and only have a mastery of a few specific techniques that work well for them.
Physical strength and endurance training are also an important part of Sambo and must not be overlooked. To get the most out of studying Sambo one must devote equal time to both developing technique and improving their athletic ability.
