ROOTS OF RAF

RUSSIAN STREET FIGHT

Russia is one of the last European countries where street fighting is common (!) up to now. The fights are often practiced in a cruel and uncompromising way. One may have to stand against several adversaries. The use of sticks, baseball bats (though baseball is not a common sport at all, you can buy the bats in every Russian sport store!), pieces of metal pipes, glass bottles, stones, brass-knuckles and knifes is not rare.

In Russia they fight not for the humiliation of the adversary or showing one's superiority. The aim of the fight is to beat the adversary to the state when he loses any ability to resist. The truly Russian stereotype of the fight is the aim to end it as quick as possible. That is why while the Russians generally have calm and peaceful character, when the fight starts the rage comes into it's own.

The traditional Russian morals have always been limiting the excessive cruelty, for example, forbidding to beat the lying, to strike dangerously in the back etc. Alas, together with the destruction of the communist dictatorship, many important traditional habits and principles disappeared too. Now the fights are more likely to lead to severe injuries. The skills of the street fight are often used for robbery, and even for killing.

The RAF Combat Level has been designed with due regard for the experience of the repeated street fights that the Founders of RAF had taken part in. All the variety of the situations that arise in a street fight has been unified and standardized for easier application.

Certainly, the experience of the local wars veterans has also been considered. Many RAF practitioners have served in the special forces of the Russian Army and police. Many still continue their service at the moment. Their priceless practical experience has also taken a deserved place in the Combat Level of the system.