Systema is Russian martial art. Although it is perceived in Europe as new, written remarks about Systema occured already in 10th century. Russians created it to defend against various enemies from all sides.

It is called Systema, because it also educates in strategy of fights, psychology and morale. I took part in seminar, which's name could be translated as 'hitting techniques'.

Theory of Fear

Fear is a feeling, which protects us in some cases. This can be from falling down the deadly abbys or such. In defense, however, it holds us back. Fear must be understood and mitigated when protecting yourself is necessary...

Warm Up

To strengthen wrist, it is good to do push-ups on fists on someone else's body. Put hands on soft tissues (belly, arm, thorax but not ribs, thigh, back of the calves) of your partner and do a push up. Then move the hands to a diferent soft tissue.

Deceptive Strikes

This one is probably my favourite thing I learnt. When you use any kind of attack as jabs, knees, hooks, uppercuts your opponent reacts. The given reaction makes him vulnerable to other kind of attacks. You don't have to finish your assault technique to instigate the reaction. Let's see some examples.

Front uppercut will make your opponent protect his abdomine. This makes him vulnerable to hook from the other hand.
Low kick is usually blocked by putting the leg up against it. This makes the rival vulnerable to front direct kick. When you put you prepare for a low kick, you can put it up as for low kick and then quickly make it straight and finish with direct front kick.

The examples I have just shown are good against a person who knows to defend. Along the streets, you will rarely find those attacking you. So let's be practical.

When anything flies on your head, the basic reflex is to cover it with hands. If you have coins in your pocket, you can throw them right into the opponents face. Even if he has knife, you will be able to kick him into the crotch easily. Showing a hand attacking on the face could be enough to make the opponent protect the head though.
Reaction to some techniques might differ from person to person. You can try to repeat something more times. Then, the opponent will expect it and you will not have to finish to provoke the same reaction.
Try with a partner how he reacts to various attacks.

Two Hits at Once

After landing some hand assault techniques, you can hit once more when returning the hand. After hook or elbow for instance. It might lack power, but it will be strong enough to confuse and distract the rival.

Make the Attacks Loose Trajectory

Don't stay rigidly. When your left side gets hit, turn the whole body left. This will make the punch loose partly the power as it is misdirected away. You can attack with your right at the same time and use the power of the opponent's punch.