There is a biblical saying, something like "having ears will hear..." (and as applicable to martial art instruction tapes that would be "having eyes will see...") But if in the Bible it is about an INTENT, a will to understand, in martial arts instruction it is also about possessing certain "cognitive framework" acquired either through immediate training with an instructor or combination of attending seminars, camps, exploring (not merely watching) tapes and books and, of course practical training.
Martial art community in North America is lucky to have Russian Martial Art to be presented from different angles by two prominent leading trainers -
Scott Sonnon (ROSS) and Vladimir Vasiliev ("Systema")
having different teaching styles and original martial art backgrounds.
For a thoughtful viewer possessing that "cognitive framework" and some practical experience the ROSS and "Systema" video materials are valuable and complimentary training tools which can enrich viewer's understanding and benefit the training.
I personally know both Scott Sonnon and Vladimir Vasiliev and greatly respect them personally and as outstanding instructors and athletes.
I am historically, organizationally and personally related to ROSS being an Instructor Trainee. I attended a number of Vladimir's seminars held in Bridgewater, NJ (at Alex Wilkie's Martial Art Academy) and was able to speak to him on these occasions on a variety of subjects and check myself that he is a "concrete" as a hurricane. And, believe me, the guys at Alex Wilkie's are not softish types, quite an opposite - they've checked it too and the dojo is full whenever Vladimir visits them. I highly recommend to those doubting effectiveness either of ROSS or "Systema" (and having guts) to attend a seminar or a camp and check it themselves before mumbling flat jokes in a comfort at the TV set.
Now, more concretely, about how I consider ROSS and "Systema" materials to be complimentary:
each martial arts instructional tape (or series of tapes) has a balance of motivational, demonstration, combat psychology, biomechanics, conceptual and principal aspects. Another dimension is self defense and/or military applicability vs. sport combat. On my opinion, "Systema" video materials accentuate demonstration and motivation (for those who are already ready to perceive fluent and natural ways of Russian styles). In other words, Vladimir focuses of "WHAT" can be done. ROSS tapes accentuate presentation of concepts and principals, in other words "HOW" one can get into the shape to perform these movements and what biomechanics phenomena are behind the scene.
If progress is generally well modelled as a spiral you may want, within one cycle of your evolution to check the "Systema" tapes to get the general idea and get motivated to become a versatile, light and effective fighter, then explore ROSS materials on the subject to understand how to develop needed attributes and what strategies back up the effectiveness; further down the road, having these principles covered one can retain to "Systema" tapes again to be able to gather the mosaic of tactics presented into really "internalized" manner when you can not merely formally repeat "the shape" of what you see but to generate techniques "as needed", as a result of attributes acquired multiplied by strategies realized.
To a some extent (and that is explained by original authors backgrounds) ROSS tapes are "tinged" with sport fight accent (typical example being "The Grapplers Toolbox") and "Systema" - more immediately addressing self defense (e.g. "Defense inside a car"). On the other hand, ROSS have military CQC "Bayonet" series and 'Systema" - great combat fitness tapes. Again, that difference is rather an angle of view. Applying well established ROSS biomechanics frameworks makes you highly effective in all range of self defense and military scenarios. Working on "Systema"
fluency drills will benefit any striker or grappler.
Best regards and keep strong,
Oleg Yakimovich
