I checked out Jellyman's site (sorry that I havent visited it before, J-Man) and I seem to be the 'member of the constabulary' he mentions.
I have been registered in Bullshido for awhile, find it interesting but have never posted before, I believe. Since my experience in Moscow was mentioned, I will offer some details in an effort to flesh out that clip abit.
At the time of the recording, I already had enough experience in the m.a. to know the difference between going light or heavy. Either doing a training exercise or going at it with speed and intent.
I am a veteran of the NYC Department of Corrections by trade and, frankly; I was willing to risk a hammering to see just how effective the gentleman depicted there with me could be. For my own reasons and for the possible passing on of what I would have learned to others who face the physical violence inhearent in dealing with some of the extremely violent individuals incarcerated on the well known vacation spot known as Rikers Island.
As Jellyman mentions, Mr. Ryabco and I had already echanged an understanding that whatever I would do with him would be done forcefully, fast and with intent to hurt him (not that he seemed to be troubled by this) and I would take the responsability for any damages I might suffer. I tend to be a 'prove it to me' kind of guy and I would not, could not; waste the time and money invested to go to Moscow and come back with any 'what if' doubts in my mind.
The attack I attempted looks odd to many familiar with knife methods, and with good reason. I had already seen Ryabco handle attacks from others -- the basics (straight stab, icepick downward, right to left slash) and some stuff I remembered doing while in FMA (done by another MUCH more familiar with FMA than I).
Truthfully, I was abit surprised when Ryabco tossed that knife to me. He knew damn well that I now had a functional weapon in hand and I was no dabbler in m.a. and would try any sneaky stunt to test him. (This had already been established a few days before when he spent an hour, away from the regular training group; with me going at him. Striking, grappling, tried to bite him, tried to groin grab him -- the kind of stuff an inmate will do to a CO or another inmate. Never got him...no doubt in his ability...well, at least I managed to get him to break a sweat by the end of the exchange). I thought he was crazy to pick me out of the group -- I was sincerely going to try to hurt him. I was not going to try to kill him of course -- I am experienced enough to reasonably control how deep the attack would penetrate...reasonably, but there is no guarantee when bodies are in motion and a blade is involved.
I was determined to make some contact though, I know there will be doubters and detractors to what I write here; but I know what I was determined to try. In retrospect, I must have been crazy. A foreign national, in Russia; a LEO at that -- poking a hole in a Spetsnaz Col.? What the hell was I thinking?
Anyway, since I had already seen Ryabco counter numerous m.a. knife work, I decided I would go 'gladiator school' on his smiling *** and attack with something that I had seen done numerous times by inmates during a 'shanking' (knife attack). Something I knew firsthand to be unorthodox and effective (thats why most m.a. have trouble recognizing this -- its a jailhouse tactic). Its an attack that I had practiced myself, after seeing the bloody results at work; and I often had used it to attack other m.a. when practicing knife work.
In a right lead position, blade in right hand; the idea is to move close enough to the target to bridge the gap with a simple burst forward. The hands start slightly before the feet. The left hand sweeps across the defenders arms/hands (moving r to l) to engage them and keep them from raising and blocking the right. The right moves l to r - in a slash to the neck/face area. when done by an experienced inmate - its sorta 'lather, rinse, repeat' and the slashing continues as the left keeps the forward pressure to move the defender backward. Its not fancy, its not conventional to most mainstream m.a. knife work. Just simple, basic Rikers Island 'ryu'.
Before the attack, I figured I would get in at least a touch and I could stop any further motion before I did too much damage -- but Ryabco would feel steel regardless. (And I would get my *** kicked by the Russians in the area afterward -- thus ending my investigation into Systema and provide an interesting life story, after I healed in NYC. How the hell I would have explained this to the DOC, I have no idea).
That was my mindset, my plan of attack and my attempt. All a total waste of time. As I began to extend my arms and begin the burst forward, Ryabco snaked his l arm between the two levels my arms were going to create and engaged the knifehand before the attack could develop. Sort of an attack into an attack. What the vid doesnt record well is what followed. Ryabcos body blocks the view of his r. fist cracking me, knuckles first; on the left side of my face - on the eyesocket edge/cheekbone area. No recording medium can repeat the *crunching* sound in my head when his fist made contact, and I remember feeling (in that far away slo-mo experience similar to a car crash "What the **** was that? Thats my face crunching!")
In the meantime, his left encircles my r. arm and allows me be moved abit to my right. Then he uses the leverage to swing me back to my left as his right made damn solid contact to the area over my heart. (At this point, it was very much over. maybe some super conditioned athelete could have taken more punishment but after the shot to the head and the sledgehammer to the chest - I didnt want anymore than to have this guy as my friend).
I remember the clip shows Ryabco moving to my left, bending me over abit and his delivering a right (I think it was a right) downward and forward palm strike to send me to the floor. (Thanks buddy, I was headed there anyway). I remember staying there, belly down; for a few moments -- I had no desire to try to get up and recieve a 'blessing' simliar to what he had given to me during our time together a few days before. Once I knew it was over, all I could think to do is extend my hands forward and clap a couple of times -- applause from the heart, I was glad it was over.
Even at that, when I did get up; I tried a few more attacks but they werent really worth ****. I moved without commitment because the pain was setting in and the room was begining to do the electric slide. Mercifully, Ryabco had me give up the knife to another participant.
I was dazed for the rest of the day and hurt for days afterward with all the 'love' I had received from my new friend. He told a Russian friend (Seraphim) there that of all the particpants at this training opportunity - I was the only one he was 'afraid of'. When Seraphim told me this, I asked why he might be afraid of lil old me...after all, he had aquitted himself in fine form. Seraphims answer? 'No Rob, with the way you attacked him during training; he was afraid he would acidentally hit you too hard and seriously hurt you".
So, thats the story behind the clip. I offer it here for those who want to understand what they saw and what was on the attackers mind. Although this forum has its contingent of guys who seem to just be content with tearing into any post from who they consider an 'outsider' - I also have been in here enough to know that there are also those who have sincere curiousity about such things.
Thats why I took the time to post my first hand experience.
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As you can guess, I did not expect this post to ever be on this forum. I have been asked about that clip a number of times over the last few years and this is about as complete an account as I have to offer.
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Rob Green
SYSTEMA/New York
www.rusanyc.com
