It sometimes seems to modern people that all ancient traditions are worthy of revival. Follow the precepts of our ancestors - what could be more correct? However, it would be nice to leave some customs in the past, especially if they directly contradict the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. We are talking about fisticuffs - a daring youthful fun that has been amused in our country for centuries. Where did this tradition come from? And why did the death of a person as a result of such a massacre go unpunished?
Sacrifice to Perun
In every person there is aggression, and it periodically requires a release. The desire to show their “heroic strength”, if there is no other opportunity to excel, is quite natural for men. And today, thousands of people follow with interest the fights of martial artists: boxers, karatekas, sumo wrestlers, etc.
Since ancient times, various styles of martial arts have developed in all countries. Russian fisticuffs helped teenagers and young people to master skills that could later come in handy in life. But initially, such fights were a ritual action held at pagan holidays, weddings, funerals and during other important events. There was even a saying - "Without a fighter - there is no crown."
Fighting in fisticuffs, the inhabitants of Ancient Russia paid tribute to the supreme deity of the Slavic pantheon - Perun. Distant ancestors believed that he controls lightning and thunder, patronizes valiant warriors - the prince and his fighting squad.
Ritual actions in honor of Perun were death duels, all those who died in which were considered a sacrifice to the formidable god. Participation in the battles was a kind of proof of the courage and valor of the warriors, who thus deserved the patronage of the deity.
Imitation of Toptygin
Interestingly, even in the 19th century, the inhabitants of the Russian Empire attached ritual significance to fisticuffs. For example, before fights, many fighters performed something resembling a ritual combat dance - the so-called "breaking". The men began to move, imitating the actions of a bear about to engage in a fight with the enemy. The fighters symbolically called on their side the forces of nature, which were worshiped in pagan times. For example, in the Pskov region, such breaking was called the “dance of the hunchbacked one,” being afraid to even mention the name of the totem animal.
After the establishment of Christianity in Russia, the Church began the fight against pagan rites. Under her gun was the tradition of fisticuffs. But she lost this "battle", just as in the case of Maslenitsa: these beliefs among the people were too strong.
It is noteworthy that the legendary chronicler Nestor himself severely condemned such pagan fun. The Tale of Bygone Years (XII century) contains the following lines: we see that the game is refined, and there are a lot of people, as if shoving each other's shames into action from the demon of the planned deed. Along with buffoons and musicians, the Christian author, a supporter of the ascetic lifestyle, condemns the participants in various mass games that “shove” (that is, beat) each other, because he believes that all this comes “from a demon.”
Back in 1274, at the Vladimir Cathedral, Metropolitan Kirill forbade the priests to bury those who died as a result of fistfights, and their participants were ordered to be excommunicated.
corpses on ice
Of course, no one has ever confused fisticuffs with banal fights. Like any ritual actions, they were always carried out according to the rules, at the prescribed time and in special places. Especially a lot of such fights were arranged on Maslenitsa and other holidays. It is noteworthy that such manifestations of aggression were accompanied by entertainment events: performances by musicians and fair festivities. There were always enough people who wanted to watch the fights.
In the capital, battles were fought on the ice of the Moskva River, on Sparrow Hills and at other sites of mass celebrations. The arena of St. Petersburg battles were the banks of the Neva and Fontanka. In other Russian cities, there were also special places where, on holidays, representatives of all classes met in hand-to-hand combat: nobles, merchants, philistines, peasants, artisans. Here everyone was considered equal.
The fighters could fight one on one or wall to wall, there was also a third type of confrontation - a dump-hitch - something like modern skirmishes of football fans. In such a struggle, compliance with the rules was almost impossible to track, therefore, after the massacres, dead and crippled people remained lying on the ice. No one was held accountable for their death and suffering. It was believed: firstly, the person knew what he was doing, and, secondly, it was difficult to calculate a specific killer. In addition, no personal hostility between the fighters was expected.
God's punishment
In Russia since ancient times there was such a form of people's justice, which was called "field". When ordinary people could still defend their rights, and the nobles did not adopt the Western tradition of resolving disagreements in duels, it was possible to deal with your offender by challenging him to a fair fight, which was fought to the death of one of the opponents.
If the one who had previously died during the competition in honor of Perun was equated with a sacrifice, then the one who left the mortal world “on the field” was automatically considered guilty. Say, God's punishment for the committed atrocities befell him.
Such cases were not uncommon. Well-born boyars, for example, not wanting to risk their lives and health, if necessary, could put up a specially hired fighter instead of themselves. His defeat meant losing in a specific lawsuit: if the dispute concerned land or valuables, then the property went to the winning side. In this case, the fistfight was analogous to a trial, and the case was considered by higher powers. At least, the inhabitants of Russia thought so.
This custom is reflected in the work of the famous poet Mikhail Lermontov. In the poem "Song about Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, a young guardsman and a daring merchant Kalashnikov" a duel is described, the reason for which was a personal insult. However, after the Time of Troubles, this form of people's justice was banned. Representatives of the Romanov dynasty did not recognize any alternative methods of resolving disputes, except for appropriate appeals to the authorities.
eyewitness accounts
Idealizing the olden days, many people view fistfights as simple fun - safe entertainment, after which everyone had fun together. However, numerous eyewitnesses say otherwise. For example, Patriarch Joasaph I, who headed the Russian Orthodox Church from 1634 to 1640, wrote: “Many people, not only the young, but also the old, are staged in the crowd and there are great fist fights to the death.” However, he was the leader of the Christian church, which opposed pagan rites. But here is the testimony of a foreigner - the Austrian diplomat Sigismund von Herberstein. In the book “Notes on Muscovy”, published in 1549, he displayed the following picture: “They start fighting with their fists, and soon indiscriminately and with great fury beat their hands and feet on the face, neck, chest, stomach and reproductive parts, and, in general, in whatever way possible, competing mutually for victory.
But that was in the 16th century. Maybe over time, morals softened? As it turns out, not really. Mikhail Nazimov, adviser to the board of Moscow University, left a story about how this folk fun took place in his native Arzamas. In the work “In the provinces and in Moscow from 1812 to 1828. From the memoirs of an old-timer, you can read that in Arzamas, about 500 people participated in fisticuffs on Maslenitsa, and they were held in a mass gathering of people. And the local authorities could do nothing about it. Some officials even expressed the idea of the benefits of such massacres for "maintaining the physical strength and warlike inclinations of the people."
Eyewitnesses describe fisticuffs of the 19th century extremely negatively. Sometimes the workers of the two factories met wall to wall, sometimes the relationship was sorted out by urban and rural ones. No one, of course, followed any rules in the heat of battle. The corpses of the dead were hidden, and the injuries were explained as accidents. As before, death in a fistfight was not considered criminal among the people.
The recumbent was beaten with pieces of lead
The original rules of such fights did not prohibit squeezing stones or pieces of metal in your hands. The main thing is that these items that increase the force of impact should not be noticeable. During the winter fun, the fighters, as a rule, hid lead bars in their mittens. Contrary to popular belief, it was also allowed to hit a lying opponent, even bleeding.
Representatives of secular authorities outlawed such entertainment only in the 17th century. Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov (1596-1645) ordered Zemstvo orders to punish the instigators of mass bloody slaughter. However, Peter I (1672-1725) liked fisticuffs, they were also popular during the reign of Catherine II (1729-1796). Her favorite Grigory Orlov himself participated in fights more than once.
The Russians owe the softening of the rules of fisticuffs and the reduction in the number of deaths to Empress Catherine I (1684-1727), who issued a corresponding decree on June 21, 1726. Its text says: “Inspect the mittens so that there are no tools for a crippled battle, and whoever falls, they don’t beat anyone who is lying.” However, the daring fellows found a way out: before the battle, they soaked their mittens in the hole and left them in the cold. Needless to say, in the heat of a fierce struggle, with such "gloves" it was quite possible to kill a person.
Current page: 3 (total book has 10 pages) [accessible reading excerpt: 7 pages]
Psychological training for professional fighters and athletes takes place in several stages. In peacetime or out of competition, they receive the necessary basic knowledge of psychology, which helps to develop the qualities necessary for a fighter. Also at this stage, various techniques of psychological self-training are mastered, which are later used before the battle and directly in hand-to-hand combat.
Strong-willed qualities (persistence, determination, self-control) are of great importance for a fighter. It is they who help to work for hours in training, to overcome fatigue, fear, to join the battle.
Attitude plays an important role in the psychological preparation of a fighter. Charging with anger, it is important to maintain an adequate assessment of the enemy. Do not exaggerate his superiority, you need to identify his weaknesses and be prepared for unexpected situations. If there is any information about the enemy (preferred combat techniques, behavioral characteristics), then you can mentally play some possible situations, remember your advantages and situations of their use. In the conditions of a real battle (sports or military), the most unexpected situations can arise, so it is necessary to remain ready to reorganize and make decisions during the battle.
Posture helps to show your combat readiness (they differ depending on the martial arts). It helps to tune in, prepare for movement and attack, tones the necessary muscles and turns the body into a fighting mechanism. If the fighter took such a pose, then the enemy’s attack did not defeat him, and he is ready to continue the fight. Having taken a fighting position, you can freeze for a short time in order to gather strength and catch your breath.
In any fight, including fisticuffs, opponents face pain. This physical suffering takes you out of combat readiness, and you need to be able to overcome it in order to win. This is especially important in a fight that is not related to sports competitions.
Pain is aggravated by fear. During the battle, when emotions fade into the background, the main thing is to maintain clarity of thought and clarity of action, often fighters do not notice minor injuries. When survival is the first priority, even severe injuries can go unnoticed. This is due to the selectivity of attention and its focus on what is more important at the moment.
Pain is less felt if the fighter is in a state of anger or rage. If he allows himself to feel pain, then this does not go unnoticed by the enemy, who immediately begins to feel his advantage. In combat, it is important to demonstrate a willingness to act without delay, so the pain does not fully manifest itself. If a fighter is not initially afraid of pain, that is, he simply does not think about it, he overcomes it and does not betray his suffering to the enemy either by facial expressions, or by groans, or by a forced position of the body.
In order to cope with yourself and maintain a combat-ready state, you can use several tricks. In fistfight, when the opponent is in close proximity, you need to act quickly, and the pain may go unnoticed. If the situation has developed in such a way that the distance between the opponents has increased, then there is time for the awareness of the injury, it is at this moment that one should not succumb to pain. In the book "Psychological Self-Preparation for Hand-to-Hand Combat", the authors suggest using breathing techniques, mimic control and adopting a combat posture. These same techniques will help to overcome the pain after the end of the battle.
Various technologies are used in preparation for combat. Classical auto-training, modern NLP or drugs with narcotic components traditional among different peoples can be applied. All stages of preparation are aimed at overcoming fear and increasing combat readiness.
First of all, when pain occurs, it is necessary to use the soothing breathing technique. Inhale shallow, calm, then a deep long exhalation, and maintain a respiratory pause of 1 - 2 seconds. Exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation. This breath allows you to relax and calm down. A few breaths and exhalations in this rhythm help to come to your senses and begin to act.
Each fighter in the course of numerous trainings develops a certain “mask” for himself. In this way, he makes his expression impenetrable and hides his emotions and true state from the enemy. With severe pain, a grimace of suffering appears on the face. If you try to relax the muscles of the face, neck and neck, you can reduce pain and hide your condition from the enemy. The ability to quickly relax must be developed as martial arts are mastered.
Features of Russian fisticuffs
Knowledge about the technique of Russian fisticuffs was passed down in Russia from generation to generation. Children watched their fathers participate in fisticuffs, listened to the stories of their grandfathers and accumulated their experience. Folk history and wisdom are passed from mouth to mouth and thus preserved for many centuries. There are many epics and fairy tales about Russian heroes that grandmothers tell their grandchildren. From an early age, the boys in Russia listened to them, and they themselves wanted to become heroes, imitating adults, they staged street fights. In adolescence, they already knew how to conduct a fistfight and mastered the basic techniques. Traditional fisticuffs were an indispensable condition for young men to grow up and helped them become warriors.
Russian fisticuffs have similarities and differences with other types of martial arts. The author of the book “Why Philosophy for Fisticuffs” A. Yu. Telukhin explains the similarities in martial arts techniques by the psycho-physiological and anatomical features of people. People of any nationality have the same body structure and react the same way to the pain that occurs when struck. The most sensitive and vulnerable zones on their body also coincide. The musculoskeletal system has the same biomechanics for everyone, because the spine and joints, together with muscles and ligaments, are a system of levers and hinges that set our body in motion. As a result, in general terms, the techniques of martial arts of different peoples have some similarities.
All hand-to-hand combat techniques and techniques are divided into shock, throw and mixed. In martial arts based on striking techniques, strikes are used with different parts of the body. Russian fisticuffs are also based on percussion techniques. In it, blows to the enemy are delivered not only with the hands, but also with the feet and sometimes with the head. You can strike with your hands in different ways. You can attach to the body of the enemy with a fist (the side surface of the fist, phalanges of bent fingers and protruding knuckles on the back side), elbow.
Throwing techniques in fisticuffs are used to a lesser extent. However, you can’t do without them at all, since they allow you to unbalance the opponent and move him away. What techniques to use - each fighter decides during the battle. The more techniques and techniques he owns, the more opportunities he has to overcome his opponent.
Russian fisticuffs are divided into individual and group. In each case, their own techniques and techniques are used. For a duel, power moves are of great importance. A strong blow helps to disable an opponent at a short distance and win. In group combat, the control of the space around oneself and the ability to move in it, depending on the situation, is of particular importance. It uses techniques that allow you to repel the attack of several attackers at once.
Russian fisticuffs also differ from other martial arts in their versatility. Unlike martial arts, which have become popular sports, Russian fisticuffs do not require special conditions. Everything that a fighter knows (techniques, techniques) can be performed in any conditions, including street ones. Outside the gym, without special clothes and in any shoes, the techniques of Russian fisticuffs are fully applicable. They can be used for self-defense in case of a sudden attack. In such a situation, it is necessary to act quickly and accurately. Unlike martial arts, Russian fisticuffs do not use original stances and passes with hands. The emphasis is on the ability to interact with the enemy in combat. For this, spatial movements are important in any conditions, the ability to free oneself from capture, to protect oneself from a blow. Of particular importance is the ability to fight with several attackers. In this case, techniques are used that target the most vulnerable areas (strikes in the eyes, in the groin) of the opponent's body, and there are no restrictions. You can master the techniques of Russian fisticuffs in a shorter time than the techniques of many martial arts. Here you need good physical shape, strength, endurance, and there is no need to improve muscle stretch and flexibility, as, for example, in karate.
Russian fisticuffs are often compared to boxing. However, there are many differences between these martial arts. In boxing, fighters perform one on one, and Russian fisticuffs can be not only duels, but also in groups. In the book "The Art of Hand-to-Hand Combat" N. N. Oznobishin talks about how boxing has changed over time. Initially, boxers fought without gloves, which made the blows less powerful. To defeat the opponent, they used various throwing techniques, often making grabs, tripping. Boxing at first looked like hand-to-hand combat, and it was difficult to win it. Such a fight lasted a long time and ended more often because one of the opponents was exhausted. Therefore, initially, boxing was inferior to Russian fisticuffs in terms of the effectiveness of the techniques used and the ability to repel a sudden attack on the street. Gradually, boxing developed, the athletes got modern equipment, including gloves. This led to a change in combat techniques, the emergence of new techniques that allow inflicting stronger blows on the enemy. Currently, boxing is a spectator sport, and it has certain rules that allow you to watch the competition with interest. There are also forbidden tricks in boxing.
Russian fisticuffs are more focused on real life conditions. It can be conducted in any conditions, using any techniques. In case of an unexpected attack, the techniques of Russian fisticuffs will help to defend yourself to a greater extent. Unusual conditions for a fight and the lack of gloves can make it difficult for an experienced boxer to react quickly and defeat the opponent. Fist fighters are less dependent on the conditions in which the fight takes place, and are always "with weapons".
The differences between Russian fisticuffs and boxing also lie in the features of the stances and the way the fighters move. They are hit differently by hand. In a fist fight, the elbow works more actively. There are many other technical differences as well.
Techniques and techniques of Russian fisticuffs have been developed over the centuries, so many modern schools of hand-to-hand combat are based on them. They are more defensively oriented than attacking. But at the same time, they allow you to defend yourself in such a way as to repel the attack and overcome the opponent. Training in Russian fisticuffs must be carried out in practice. For its understanding and development, communication with a coach is of great importance. In addition to studying directly the techniques of fisticuffs, it is necessary to improve overall physical fitness.
Russian fisticuffs are characterized by speed of movement. Fighters do not take special stances before striking, since the distance between them is often minimal. Basically, they use punching techniques, performed not only with their hands, but also with their feet, and in rare cases they use grappling techniques. The basis of Russian fisticuffs is made up of hard oblique blows, which are combined with throws through the chest, sweeps and footboards. Used in fisticuffs, grips similar to sambo techniques.
M. V. Shatunov tells in detail about the features of Russian fisticuffs in the already mentioned book “Russian Fisticuffs”. Fighters do not use gloves or any weapons. During the fight, they can hit the most sensitive parts of the body, as well as the back, back of the head and legs. They use grappling techniques in order to deliver a stronger blow. There are also technical differences in Russian fisticuffs from other fighting schools. For example, block protection is not used. The opponent's blow is deftly evaded or sought to make the blow turn out to be a sliding one. In Russian fisticuffs, wedging a blow is used when the opponent’s blow is interrupted by a counter blow, it is possible to crush the blow when the enemy is not allowed to perform the intended action. During the blow, the fighter's fist moves from the shoulder, with active movement in the elbow joint. In this case, the principle of wedge-shaped concentration is used. According to M. V. Shatunov, who has been engaged in martial arts for many years, there are no clear scenarios in Russian fisticuffs. A wide variety of techniques allows you to successfully lead into battle with any opponent. The peculiarities of Russian fisticuffs include the exact targeting of the blow. Most often, a fighter's fist is directed and reaches the opponent's arms, legs, and head. All techniques are performed very quickly, if necessary, actions can be repeated. The actions of the fighters have been worked out, and the response to the blow occurs almost automatically. In battle, aggressive emotions are manifested, which each fighter supports and nourishes in himself.
Radogora, like many other combat schools (other types of Slavic-Goritsa wrestling, the Kadochnikov system), belongs to hand-to-hand combat. However, it does not use any weapons. The fight with the enemy is carried out only with "bare hands".
Given all the distinctive features, it becomes clear why Russian fisticuffs are not just a sport or a martial art. It is of great practical importance in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, especially in case of an unexpected attack.
Technique of Russian fisticuffs
Radogora is a system of fisticuffs in which each technique is performed in a certain way and has its own purpose. It uses techniques and techniques, both traditional, developed over the centuries, and modern, developed by A. K. Belov. There are techniques that allow you to strike the enemy with your hands, head and legs. Experienced fighters of Radogora have good control over their bodies, react quickly and in almost any situation can resist the attacker.
All people are divided into right-handers and left-handers, which is due to the innate characteristics of the central nervous system and upbringing. Therefore, for most people, one hand is leading, and the second is less involved in active actions. If two right-handed or left-handed people meet in battle, then it is easy for them to interact. They will have a good understanding of the intentions and actions of the enemy and can use the techniques and tactics known to them. It is much more difficult to fight with an opponent whose dominant hand is different from yours. In this case, all guidelines change and it is difficult to rebuild, concentrate and resist a strong unusual opponent. In order to become a universal fighter and win in any fight, M. V. Shatunov, who is the author of the book “Russian Fisticuffs” and has been practicing martial arts for three decades as an athlete and teacher, recommends training both hands at once. All techniques and techniques can be mastered, first, with the leading, and then with the other hand. This will simultaneously contribute to the development of motor areas in both hemispheres of the brain, which will allow you to quickly and accurately respond to what is happening during the battle. Although in a critical situation, most often a person begins to act in a familiar way, this can be beneficial. For example, with an injury to the leading hand, you can continue the fight with the other. Performing combat techniques with both hands can be useful in life in different situations.
All combat techniques in Radogor are divided into 3 groups. These include notch strikes performed in circular motions, wing strikes delivered with elbows and forearms, and direct strikes used in wall-to-wall combat. Also in Russian fisticuffs, head and shoulder strikes are allowed. It uses various defensive techniques, most of which are taken from the practice of wall fighting and svili techniques (with turns and twists).
In fisticuffs, fist strikes (different sides) are traditionally used, as well as palm strikes. In some cases, the blow is made with the palm of the thumb retracted (slap in the face) or folded in the form of a boat (crack). In combat, striking is important. To do this, you need to own a brush and be able to quickly clench and relax your fists. A. K. Belov calls these actions wedge-shaped concentration. It is carried out according to a certain scheme (Fig. 2).
Figure 2. Stages of wedge-shaped concentration: 1 - relaxed hand; 2 - a compressed and tense fist; 3 - weakened fist
At the moment the arm is extended to strike the opponent, the hand must be relaxed. Directing your hand towards the target, you begin to squeeze the brush and, having reached the enemy, strike with your fist. It is during the blow that the fist should be tense, then your efforts will reach the goal, and the blow will be strong. After that, the hand is relaxed, but the hands are not completely unclenched. In this way, three stages of wedge-shaped concentration are performed.
However, this is still not enough for the blow to be strong and accurate. It is important to combine the stages of wedge-shaped concentration with the phases of your respiratory cycle (inhale - exhale - respiratory pause). With the observance of the strike technique, the fist contracts and strains as much as possible during exhalation and relaxes during the respiratory pause. At the moment of contact with the body of the enemy, the fist is compressed tightly and after a fraction of a second - as much as possible. Further, the fist is withdrawn and at the same time it is relaxed. After maximum compression of the brush, it is immediately difficult to relax and unclench it, but this is not necessary. It is enough to loosen the fist a little so that the muscles of the hand reduce the tension, but at the same time the readiness to quickly repeat the blow remains.
The study of Radogora's technique should begin with racks and the simplest techniques - notch strikes.
A stand is a special posture for the successful use of combat techniques. However, a good fighter can fight from any position. However, it is more convenient and effective to attack the enemy by taking a stance for a moment. It should be borne in mind that in a fist fight there is often no time to take a stance, because the enemy is very close and also attacks. However, if possible, it is better to use combat techniques from the stand. This helps to strike the enemy accurately and with maximum force.
The main counter in Radogor is the key charter (Fig. 3). The legs in this position are apart, the center of gravity of the body moves forward a little so that the heels are ready to leave the ground at any moment. In this case, one leg is supporting to a greater extent than the other. The arms are bent at the elbows and placed in front of you, palms forward. The back is a little tense. From this position it is easy to move on to attack or repel an enemy attack.
Figure 3. Key charter
Another stance used in Russian fisticuffs is the retired charter (Fig. 4). It differs in that one leg is put forward and bent at the knee joint. It carries the bulk of the body. The second leg rests on the toe. Most often, this posture is used as a transitional position when performing various techniques and moving.
Figure 4. Retired charter
The simplest percussion techniques are a slap, a crack, a flare-up.
Fisticuffs were traditional not only in Russia, but also in ancient civilizations - Babylon and Greece. If the fight dragged on, then the fighters were forbidden to defend themselves, and they beat each other to the last strength.
The slap is performed with the palm of the hand with tightly clenched fingers. A blow to the face of the opponent is applied from the bottom up, through the elbow loop, at an angle of 45 ° (Fig. 5).
Figure 5. Technique for performing a slap: 1 - abduction of the opponent's hand; 2 - elbow loop; 3 - hit-slap
The crack is performed with a fist or, as in the previous case, with a palm with tightly clenched fingers. Reception is carried out in several stages. First, the right elbow is retracted and the fist is rotated slightly, while a twist is felt in the muscles of the forearm. Further, the hand is advanced to the face of the opponent and a blow is struck. In this case, the principle of wedge-shaped concentration is observed. Immediately after the impact, the arm is weakened and, by inertia, moves back a little. However, the readiness for the next strike remains. In this case, the repeated blow can be the same or different (Fig. 6).
Figure 6. Technique for performing a crack: 1 - abduction of the elbow and preparation of the fist; 2 - impact with the side surface of the fist
The flare has a different direction of impact. The hand moves in a vertical plane. First, by inertia, the arm is retracted (Fig. 7), then it is directed forward and upward. With a sweeping rise of the arm, the forearm is rotated at the elbow joint together with the hand (Fig. 8) and, quickly forming a fist, strike the enemy in the forehead or bridge of the nose (Fig. 9).
Figure 7. Inertial abduction of the arm back: 1 - the beginning of the movement; 2 - full abduction
Figure 8. Pre-Punch Swing
Figure 9. Preparing the fist for impact
After striking, the arm freely goes down, while the shoulder and elbow remain in a fixed state (Fig. 10). Thus, the readiness to continue the battle and deliver the next blow to the enemy is maintained (Fig. 11).
Traditionally in Russia, kicks in fisticuffs were used in extreme cases. This is due to the fact that boots were the most common footwear. A blow from such heavy shoes can easily cripple or kill the enemy, and in traditional Russian battles another goal was pursued.
Figure 10. Stabilization of the hand after inflamed
Figure 11. Preparing for the next strike
The flare can be performed in a different way - the blow is applied in a diagonal direction, and not from top to bottom (Fig. 12).
Figure 12. raspalina
The next shock technique is a notch joint. It is performed with a fist or forearm to block an opponent's blow or attack him on the upper tier. This technique is usually combined with another, for example, buzdygan (Fig. 13). When performing techniques, one hand moves away from itself and takes the opponent's hand to the side (Fig. 14). At this time, a blow is struck to the enemy with the fist of the second hand (Fig. 15).
Figure 13. Preparing for a notch
Figure 14. Notch
Figure 15. Buzdygan
The next shock technique is an underground joint. A blow to the enemy is delivered with a fist or forearm, while the entire arm moves strictly horizontally (Fig. 16). The reception is similar to a crack, but is performed in a different plane (Fig. 17).
Figure 16. Position in front of the underground joint
Figure 17. Ground joint
To master the technique of Radogora, it is necessary, first of all, to learn how to move. To do this, you can practice in performing a bunch of key charter - stabbing - key charter.
Next, comes the butt joint. Reception is performed with the other hand, in the direction from the hip. They strike with a fist from the bottom up, aiming at the opponent's chin. You can beat off the attacking hand of the enemy with this blow. The blow is applied with the side surface of the fist from the side of the thumb (Fig. 18).
Figure 18. Relative joint
Another notch percussion technique is the plow joint. The blow is applied with a fist, while the hand moves almost vertically - from the bottom up. Previously, the enemy is attracted to himself (Fig. 19). During the execution of the reception, they transfer the center of gravity of their body to the knee, which gives the blow a greater force (Fig. 20).
Figure 19. Pulling the enemy
Figure 20. Underplow joint
Traditional battles in Russia took place in stages. First, fisticuffs were fought between children, then between young men and unmarried young men, and only after that did adult men fight.
The reception of the fisticuffs of the ratovishe includes elements of a blow and a push at the same time. The blow is delivered close to the approaching enemy across the chest with the forearm (Fig. 21). In this case, the active arm is in a half-bent position. This technique allows you to move the enemy away and carry out an attack - to strike with the other hand on the open parts of the body (Fig. 22).
Figure 21. Ratovishche
Figure 22. Ratovishche with an attack
In the traditional for Russia fisticuffs "wall to wall" the fighters stood in formation with their left foot and shoulder forward. This does not seem to be a very stable position, however, the fighters stood tightly, partially covered each other, and this allowed them to keep the formation and freely use their right hand.
The next technique is the chopper (mzen). It is used in close combat. The blow is applied to the enemy with the entire surface of the forearm on the head and hands (Fig. 23). This is done with a swing or a less wide range of motion. The impact force is directed from top to bottom diagonally.
Figure 23. Chipper
The same group of techniques includes elbow strikes - chips. It's easy to complete them. The difference is a blow to the head. In this case, the chipping is performed by moving the arm from the shoulder with a circular amplitude (Fig. 24).
Figure 24. Chip on the head
From the wing, you can apply notch strikes, for example, a crack (Fig. 25). Immediately after that, they move to the chip and finish off the enemy with the elbow (Fig. 26).
Figure 25. Wing crack
Figure 26. Chipping with two hands
Radogora is based on percussion techniques, but wrestling techniques are also used in it. Most often they are auxiliary, but they can also be used as a transition from Russian fisticuffs to other martial arts (power wrestling). However, most often, after wrestling techniques, they again switch to shock. For example, if the enemy made an oblique flare, then it is effective to use a hall (Fig. 27).
Figure 27. Grip vs oblique fire
After that, a plow joint can be applied to it (Fig. 28, 29).
Figure 28. Transition to attack
Figure 29. Underplow joint after breaking
Radogora's moves are very effective if the fight is at short or medium range. In this case, the enemy should be attacked along the upper or middle tier. In other combat conditions, it is better to use the techniques of other combat schools.
Further, the techniques and techniques of wall fighting, also related to Radogora, are described. The main defensive technique is flicker containment. It can be simple and double. This technique helps to keep the opponent at a distance and prevent him from performing the intended technique (Fig. 30).
Figure 30. Double flickering containment
For protection, the Greco-Roman technique (Fig. 31), cabbage rolls (Fig. 32) and alignments (double Greco-Roman protection) are also used. Greco-Roman defense helps to close the head from the attacking enemy with direct blows. When performing this technique, you can cover your chest with your hand (Fig. 33).
Figure 31. Greco-Roman defense
Figure 32. Stuffed cabbage
Figure 33. Greco-Roman protection with chest cover
In wall combat, attacking shock techniques are used. A direct blow to the coupler is distinguished by speed and stunning effect, although it is not the most pronounced in terms of strength. The technique is suitable for wedge-in blows to the head and upper body of the enemy during a simultaneous attack (Fig. 34.35).
The most powerful blow is the swing joint. Reception is performed with a wide range of hand movements. The elbow of the active arm is preliminarily pulled back so as to press the shoulder blade on the back (Fig. 40). A punch is applied to the center of the opponent's chest in the area of the solar plexus.
Figure 40. Preparation for swing joint
Actively working with the shoulder, the arm is thrown forward, while simultaneously performing double twisting of the fist and torso (Fig. 41)
Figure 41. Swing joint
The next direct blow of the Russian fisticuffs is called the undercurrent. The blow is performed with a fist and all the force is put into it (Fig. 42). Push the hand forward, first, with the forearm. This helps knock down the opponent's hands.
Next, the hand is moved closer to the opponent's face. All actions are performed quickly and accurately. When striking, the center of gravity of the body is transferred forward. Too much swing can cause a fall due to inertia, so you need to measure the force of impact and the amplitude of movement (Fig. 43).
Figure 42. Position before inflow
Figure 43. Technique for performing a subflow: 1 - preparing the hand for a strike; 2 - subflow
Another shock technique is a stretch joint. The hand with the fist moves forward simultaneously with a slight slight turn of the upper body (Fig. 44). In this case, the force of the movement of the body is transferred by inertia to the fist. During extension and impact, the arm twists outward.
Figure 44 Tension joint
A thrusting blow resembles the actions of a swordsman. This technique is accompanied by a deviation of the upper body and allows you to skip a counter blow along the chest (Fig. 45). During a fist fight, this allows you to reduce the force of a direct blow to the opponent.
Figure 45. Technique for performing a thrusting blow: 1 - position before the blow; 2 - stabbing; 3 - deviation of the body and abduction of the arm
The following technique of Russian fisticuffs is distinguished by great power - a scythe (a direct blow from a scythe). The hand moves only horizontally during the reception, so the blow falls mainly on the upper body of the opponent. If the enemy is lower in stature, then you can attack him with a scythe on the head. When performing the reception, the force is transferred from one shoulder to the other and further, as the arm moves forward, to the fist. In this case, the upper body is rotated, which enhances the blow (Fig. 46). Kosach is used in combination with other techniques, for example, a combination of flickering restraint - slap - kosach is often performed in battle.
Figure 46. Kosach
The last shock technique in Radogor is buzdygan. It is also notable for its great strength, especially when striking an opponent's head. To perform the reception, the position "key charter" is required. First, the arm bent at the elbow is pulled back and up with the elbow. At the same time, the shoulder joint is actively working. Further, the arm is sharply pushed forward and at the same time the elbow is turned inward. At the same time, the fist is rotated so that the thumb is at the bottom (Fig. 47).
There are mentions of fisticuffs, without details, in the Tale of Bygone Years. It can be argued that in medieval Russia, fisticuffs were not just fun, but an important element of military education. History has not preserved either the styles or the names of the great fighters, which was largely facilitated by the position of the Russian Orthodox Church and the ruling class. Fisticuffs were heavily "involved" in pagan traditions. For example, back in the 19th century, before the competition, fighters performed “breaking”, imitating the movements of a bear (which has been a subject of worship in the village for centuries). Functionally, “breaking” can be compared, with a large amount of stretching, with wai-kru from Thai boxing - this is a warm-up dance, a kind of meditation in motion.
The first information that has come down to us about an attempt to ban fisticuffs dates back to 1274, when Metropolitan Kirill convened a council in Vladimir, which decided: “to excommunicate those participating in fistfights and fights with stakes, and not to bury the dead.” During the time of Fyodor Ioannovich (1584-1598), not a single episode of fisticuffs was recorded. The 17th century was a time of real persecution of the “fists”, which was facilitated by endless popular riots in which fisticuffs participated. Those caught in a fist fight were beaten with batogs, fined, and "recidivists" were exiled to the border lands. But Peter I, on the contrary, encouraged fisticuffs. He even issued a decree in 1727 regulating the rules of combat. The 19th century was also rich in prohibitions, but Shrovetide fisticuffs became part of folk culture, and the church had to come to terms with this state of affairs.
In the Middle Ages, fistfight in Russia was also a variant of the ordeal - God's judgment - when the winner of the duel was considered right, and the loser was considered guilty.
The degeneration of fisticuffs was also facilitated by the creation of mass armies armed with firearms, when the personal training of each fighter was not as critical as in a cut with cold weapons.
Nicholas I in 1832 completely banned fisticuffs. After the establishment of Soviet power, fisticuffs were considered as a relic of the tsarist regime and are gradually dying out, supplanted, for example, by boxing and sambo.
Fisticuffs lasted in criminal circles until the fifties, but then it became common to use knives or firearms and the martial art finally sunk into oblivion.
Theory of attack and defense
Russian fisticuffs originate in pagan Russia. It is impossible to know exactly the date and even the century of their origin, but the chronicler Nestor mentions fisticuffs in The Tale of Bygone Years (1048), condemning the participants in such battles. In this regard, some historians put forward a hypothesis about the origin of this "entertainment" in the 9th century or much earlier. It is not yet possible to confirm or refute such assumptions.
Despite the negative attitude towards this tradition of the Christian church, which had been established in Russia since the 10th century, fisticuffs continued to exist, like many other Russian customs, linking paganism with Christianity.
Enough evidence has been preserved of the development of fisticuffs from the first mention in the annals to the present day to judge what changes this competitive game has undergone.
Western historians of the sport sometimes argue that fisticuffs only existed in antiquity and later appeared in the British Isles in the 13th century. Such conclusions are incorrect, because it is reliably known that fisticuffs in Russia existed long before the 13th century.
In addition, images of fisticuffs were found in hieroglyphs and paintings of ancient civilizations: Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Aegean culture. On them you can see warriors fighting among themselves precisely on their fists.
Despite the variety of types of Russian fisticuffs, their uniqueness lies in the competition involving a large number of people at the same time. This fun is still associated today with big games rather than with a sports duel: a large number of people can compete in teams or every man for himself.
The next page in the development of fisticuffs can already be called Ancient Greece, where there were descriptions of the fights themselves and legends associated with their divine origin. In antiquity, fisticuffs were considered an aesthetically pleasing form of physical exercise, suitable only for strong and courageous men. Even then, well-known personalities participated in fisticuffs: poets, writers, scientists and even statesmen. It is known that Pythagoras participated in the Olympic Games and practiced this sport.
In ancient civilizations, fights were fought on bare fists or with leather bandages on the hands (prototype of gloves). Russian fisticuffs are also carried out in mittens that soften blows, although this rule was not immediately widespread.
Types of Russian fisticuffs
Fisticuffs from ancient times were divided into several types according to the number of participants and the vastness of the communities facing each other.
Many are familiar with the expressions “street to street”, “settlement to settlement”, “village to village”. All of them are connected with the history of fisticuffs. In addition, there were fights-fights (“one on one”, “one on one”) of several varieties. Among the mass battles, the most popular are "wall to wall" and "hitch-dump".
wall to wall
Wall to wall (wall fight) - the most spectacular and most famous type of mass fistfights that were held on holidays or to resolve some issues between residents of different streets, workers of various professions, etc.
Each side stood in a wall (a solid line of people), which could consist of several rows, facing the other wall and, on command, tried to overcome the enemy: force them to retreat, put them to flight, thin out the wall or force them to surrender. The team that retreated outside the territory designated for battle or whose wall “torn” in one or several places lost. There was another option for determining winners and losers. The battle continued until one of the parties surrendered (for example, when most of the fighters were disabled). Then, after each retreat, during a short break, the "laggards" changed participants, tactics and setting in the wall, and then again opposed their rivals, until some kind of wall won the final victory. The last variant described was more violent, often leading to severe injury and even death to the participants, especially before the introduction of softening rules for the game. However, it was these games that gave hardening and prepared for real battles.
The attack was carried out using various military techniques: a pig (wedge), with the replacement of the fighters of the first row with the fighters of the last, etc.
Since the 16th century, foreign diplomats have noted the benefits of wall fisticuffs for the formation of endurance and strength of Russian soldiers. Everyone participated in the walls, from young men to elderly men. At the same time, the battle could take place in three stages: first, teenagers clashed from both sides; then unmarried youths joined the fray; Finally, adult men entered the fray. Stages could continue together or go in turn, one after the end of the other.
Today, this type of fisticuffs is the most common, it can be seen not only in historical reenactment clubs or ethnic settlements, but also during folk festivals, big holidays, weddings, after spectacular sporting events as an additional entertainment, training and display of physical abilities. But controversial issues are no longer resolved by fisticuffs in our days: such “wall to wall” competitions are more like fights without rules.
on my own
Sam on himself (one on one) - a fist fight, the most revered type of fist fights in Russia. Two rivals converged with each other to decide which of them was right, or simply to measure their strength.
Fist fights were organized and spontaneous. In the first case, the fight could be scheduled in advance, several days in advance, or on the same day, but with the participation of the organizer, who acted as a judge. Natural battles were held, as a rule, at fairs, during festivities, less often - in everyday situations.
The Russian "one-on-one" fight was very similar to the traditional English bare-handed boxing popular around the same time. However, mitigating rules were established in Russia a little earlier: do not beat a lying person, do not use metal objects, etc. In England, such prohibitions appeared only in 1743.
An interesting type of fist fight called "blow to blow". In this variant, the participants struck each other in turn. Whom to strike first was determined by lot or by mutual agreement (a stronger one could give up the right of the first blow to an opponent if he considered him weaker than himself). Such fisticuffs had the character of entertainment and were practically not used to sort things out. At the same time, there were cases when the entire fight ended after the first blow: the opponent could not stand up due to a serious injury or due to a sudden death. Therefore, the fight "punch on blow" included stricter rules than the usual confrontation "one on one". The one receiving the blow could not defend himself (it was only allowed to cover his ears and temples with his palms facing the enemy), but the attacker, for example, should not have hit the temple. Both participants stood still and did not dodge the blows.
Another type of fisticuffs is hunting fights. The participants in these battles often fought in mittens with metal plaques sewn on them. Dodges were forbidden, as were kicks. It was possible to hook the opponent, but basically the fight was fought in open stances, without blocks and slopes. The main advantage, in addition to a quick reaction, in such a battle was physical strength and endurance, the ability to stand on one's feet and endure pain.
Sometimes fisticuffs took a more serious turn, becoming a variant of the legal court: the loser was considered the guilty party, whether he was the defendant or the plaintiff. Such a court was called "field" and existed until the death of Ivan IV (the Terrible) in 1584. The duel-field could take place both directly between the plaintiff and the defendant in the lawsuit, and between their representatives - contractual fighters. As a rule, they resorted to the "field" only when it was difficult to pass a sentence.
Fights "one on one", which took place for fun, and not to sort things out, began with hugs and kisses: the rivals showed that there was no personal enmity between them, and the fight was only "for fun".
hitch junkyard
This type of mass fisticuffs is considered the most ancient and most dangerous. Its difference from the "wall" is that each participant "stands" for himself, and not for the team, and against all other fighters. The winner is the last one standing. For the confusion during the battle, this competition got its names: hitch-dump, hitch fight, scatter dump, dump fight, clutch fight.
To hefty strength and special dexterity (in a chaotically fighting crowd it is even difficult to stand on your feet), other requirements are added here: composure and speed of reaction. Two participants can together overcome the fighter they came across, but then they will have to fight each other.
In a dump fight, any tactics were good: “stick” to the enemy and hide behind him from the rest of the fight; dodge blows; constantly move from one opponent to another, trying to disorientate them.
Today, the hitch dump is unpopular, it doesn't actually exist. The reason is the increased danger of this type of fisticuffs and the difficulty of keeping track of the rules for all participants.
Sometimes, due to the last voiced reason, the hitch dump is not classified as a type of fisticuffs, but is distinguished as an independent type of wrestling in the style of fighting without rules. Indeed, in this type of fight, any shock and wrestling technique could be used.
For a fighter in a hitch dump, the ability to stay on his feet is of great importance. To do this, you have to perform a series of strikes in all directions. It is impossible to delay here, as blows and pushes follow from all sides. The modern type of hand-to-hand combat "one against three" can be equated to a dump-hitch. The fighter has to constantly move and perform a variety of different techniques.
Fisticuff rules
The rules gradually introduced into this competition throughout its existence were aimed at ensuring that the participants did not form a chaotic dump, did not use dishonest tricks (which is a demonstration of not strength, but cunning), and did not inflict dangerous blows on the opponent. The defeated side must remain "functional", although this principle only emerged a few centuries ago.
The basic general rule of fisticuffs is to use only punching. In this case, you can beat with the knuckles (heads of the metacarpal bones), the lower end part of the compressed hand (from the side of the little finger) or the heads of the main phalanges. Other parts of the body were allowed to be used to a limited extent: legs - to cut, shoulders or both hands at once - to push.
Initially, it was not forbidden to compress in a fist what fits in it, as well as to strike with an uncompressed palm, but gradually these moments were taken into account. It is strictly forbidden to hide anything in a mitten, even a small piece of lead.
The fight traditionally ended when one of the parties admitted defeat, or in the event of the fall of one of the opponents (crouching and lying down were automatically considered to have admitted defeat). It was forbidden to beat a lying, retreating or crouching enemy, as well as an enemy with bleeding, if he himself could not stop the bleeding (“they don’t beat a smear”). A serious injury without bleeding was also the reason for stopping the fight. It was also impossible to grab an opponent by the clothes, attack from the side or from the back, strike below the belt. These rules applied to all types of fisticuffs, although it was difficult to follow them in the hitch dump.
With a successful outcome of the battle (without casualties), which was not uncommon after the tightening of the rules, the opposing sides often arranged a joint feast by the fire or by the reservoir.
The prize for winning a fistfight or a stall fight was universal respect or recognition of being right. In some areas, there was an interesting tradition: after a “one-on-one” duel, the losing young man’s girlfriend gave the winner a bouquet of wildflowers she had plucked.
The modern rules in today's most popular wall-to-wall fight are as follows.
1. You can not attack an opponent from the back. If one of the participants broke through the opponent's wall, he must run around both walls and again stand in his own. The fight is only "face to face".
2. Blows are allowed to be applied only with hands. Legs can be involved in tripping and undercuts.
3. It is forbidden to strike in the face; above the Adam's apple; below the solar plexus in the abdomen (including below the belt). For comparison, in Russia, the fighters tried to strike precisely on the head, in mikitki (under the ribs) and in the solar plexus.
4. The fight immediately stops if one of the participants fell. The bout never continues on the ground (“on the ground”).
In addition, in wall-to-wall combat, one should take care of teammates, trying to help them, focusing on team actions.
The continuous battle in the wall continues until one of the teams (at least one of its members) crosses the conditional marking line, i.e. goes out of the field. Such an exit is called a staging. To defeat one of the walls, it is necessary to achieve three stages of the enemy. On holidays and demonstration performances between runs, that is, after each approach, breaks are arranged during which other, short-term competitions are held.
Participation in fisticuffs provides for mandatory uniforms: fur or leather mittens and thick hats. During historical reconstruction and in spontaneous battles, this rule is not followed.
In addition to the “according to the rules” endings, that is, if one of the parties recognized victory, the fight could be stopped with the start of the bell ringing or the arrival of some respected person. Sometimes the fighters were separated by strong guys or stopped by a priest. If one of the fighters began to bleed, but the opponent did not stop fighting, a woman from the audience could cover the wounded man, then the fight was considered completed.
Since fisticuffs were a competition, the winner was usually entitled to a prize. In some cases, it was a pardon (at the end of the duel "field"), in others - the girl's attention, in others - something comic (for example, boiled eggs) or symbolic (a wreath on the head, the dress of the vanquished). But the main prize, of course, was universal honor and respect.
Where and when did fisticuffs take place?
It is believed that in pre-Christian Russia, the main dates for fisticuffs were memorial days for the dead (feast), as well as Shrovetide (seeing off winter) and Krasnaya Gorka (spring meeting). With the adoption of Christianity, battles began to be arranged from Maslenitsa (the week before Lent) to Trinity (the fiftieth day after Easter). Sometimes the period of fighting stretched: from Kolyada (Christmas Eve) to Peter's Day (the day of the supreme apostles Peter and Paul, July 12 (NS).
There was a special excitement at Shrovetide: before Lent, people tried not only to eat plenty of pancakes, meeting spring, but also to work up. In the rest of the period described, battles were fought more often on Sundays and holidays (especially on big holidays).
A place for fun or a dispute was chosen spacious. Mass battles were carried out on the squares, and in winter - on the ice of rivers or lakes. In Veliky Novgorod, the place for games was the bridge connecting the detinets (Kremlin) with the settlement (the trading part of the city); in Moscow - the Moskva River, the Sparrow Hills and the squares near the Novodevichy and Simonov monasteries; Petersburg - the Neva and Fontanka rivers, the Narva outpost; in Kazan - Lake Kaban. In a word, in every settlement where fisticuffs were held, they had their own permanent places. Frozen rivers and lakes were chosen not only as a convenient battlefield, but also symbolically: they often divided the city or part of it into two different settlements, which faced the ice “wall to wall”.
A wide place was necessary not only for the fighters, but also for the spectators. Around the battle, festivities were started, to which, after the competition, the participants in the battle joined.
Spontaneous fights could occur anywhere, but they were, as a rule, duels, and not mass games.
Before the adoption of Christianity, fisticuffs on memorial days were held in cemeteries, hence the old Russian name of the cemetery - buevishche (from the word "buoy" - fistfight).
Participants in fisticuffs
People from the “common people”, merchants and even the upper classes took part in fisticuffs. Although the latter more often resolved disputes with weapons, nevertheless, many of them participated in entertainment battles with pleasure.
The age composition of the participants was also diverse - from teenage boys to the elderly. At the same time, there was an unspoken rule that was almost never violated: men of approximately the same age participate in the same battle. Fisticuffs, at first absolutely funny, and then more and more serious, entered the life of every boy along with other children's amusements. The rest of the entertainment remained in childhood, and fisticuffs turned into adult, and sometimes very dangerous, fun. Sometimes several generations of the same family participated in one wall, in its different “stages” at once: from grandfather to grandson.
With the growth of the territory of the Russian state, the peoples included in it also joined in fisticuffs, which thereby ceased to be exclusively Russian fun.
In wall-to-wall battles, fists were divided into "positions". The leader (leader, ataman, war chief, leader, old man, hood, head) was selected from experienced fighters and had to determine the tactics of his team, strengthen the general spirit. Fighters-hopes (hopes) tried to break through the enemy line. Their role was especially noticeable in battles where a break in formation was considered a victory, but in other types of battle, hope could be stopped by the opponent’s response tactics: the wall opened up, let the fighter inside, and closed back. Nadezhda could not fight in the rear of the “enemy” wall, he needed to run around the formation and stand up again in his wall, but he was not allowed to do this by several special enemy fighters, holding back hope in their rear. These special fighters were certainly masters of fisticuffs. There were reserve fighters needed for decisive attacks, as well as dodgeball fighters, knocking out valuable members of the opposing team.
Each province, appanage, city has always had its own eminent fighters who fought "on their own." Sometimes merchants and other rich people brought together such fighters from different volosts, or their daredevils with foreign boxers. Such fights broke records in terms of the number of spectators who wanted to see the action with their own eyes.
Attempts to eradicate fisticuffs
Because of the frequent wars, men in Russia had to be prepared for battles mentally and physically, so no one even tried to ban fisticuffs for a long time, they turned a blind eye to the cruelty of individual competitions. On the other hand, massacres. (with the use of brass knuckles, flails and even knives), which often turned into fistfights, caused fear in the authorities and clergy.
As part of the fight against pagan rites, the Christian church tried to eradicate fisticuffs by condemning them not only as bloody battles, but also as a ritual of worshiping pagan gods (before Christianity, competitions were held in honor of Perun). Metropolitan Kirill in 1274, at a general council of the supreme clergy, decided to excommunicate all kulakers from the church, including the murdered (they were not buried, as expected). Such measures gradually led to an effective, albeit short-lived result: from 1584 to 1598. (During the reign of Fedor Ioannovich), not a single duel was officially recorded.
In 1641, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich issued a decree banning fisticuffs under the threat of severe punishments. The decree of 1686 confirmed this ban and assigned specific punishments to participants in fisticuffs (fines, scourging, exile).
These decrees did not lead to the complete destruction of fisticuffs. It is believed that Peter I himself liked to arrange fistfights to demonstrate the strength of the Russian people.
However, after the decrees of the 17th century, the participants in the competitions began to choose judges (sotsky, tenth), who were instructed to monitor the implementation of the rules.
In 1726, by decree of Catherine I, regulations were created for fisticuffs, according to which the rules were tightened (the decree, among other things, included a ban on the use of weapons in battles and striking a lying person), and the tradition itself became less dangerous. The fights began to follow the police and policemen.
Elizaveta Petrovna in 1751, after fierce fighting in the capital, banned fisticuffs in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
During the reign of Catherine II (1762 - 1796), fisticuffs again fell into favor. Count Grigory Orlov himself was a good fistman and often organized competitions.
Under Nicholas I, in 1832, a set of laws was issued, again including a complete ban on fisticuffs throughout the country as "harmful pastimes." The same wording was present in subsequent editions of this code of laws. But even after such bans, fisticuffs, especially on holidays, continued. In 1917, they were relegated to the remnants of the tsarist regime, the competition was not included in the recognized sports, and gradually this type of wrestling became less popular.
Admirers of martial arts took involuntary steps to eradicate the traditions of Russian fisticuffs in the 20th century. Fashion trends and a growing philosophy have pushed wall-to-wall fights out of the attention of young people. The same is happening as a result of the development of boxing as a sport. However, fisticuffs are not forgotten and still gather spectators and participants, largely due to the general revival of folk traditions that began in the 90s. XX century.
Fisticuffs in Russian art
Many writers, poets and artists took part in fisticuffs, while others watched the games from the sidelines. All this is reflected in their works and memoirs. Along with church teachings, such sources are a storehouse of information about the history of fisticuffs.
The first work that comes to mind when fistfights are mentioned is M. Yu. Lermontov’s “Song about Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, a young guardsman and daring merchant Kalashnikov” (1837). This describes the "field" - a kind of fist fight to resolve the lawsuit. The merchant wins, having defended the honor of his wife in a fair duel, but in the fight he kills his opponent (which happened very often in this type of fisticuffs), and the king orders the merchant to be executed.
Depicted by the artist M. I. Peskov, “Fistfight under John IV Vasilyevich the Terrible” (1862) shows us the moment of honoring the winner, at the same time as several people mourn the loser. The viewer's attention is first drawn to the proud man, who has posed in the center of the picture, and only then can one notice a group of people bending over the body, apparently, of the second participant in the battles.
During the time of Ivan IV, the lethal outcome of a fist fight was a fairly common occurrence, and was not condemned by the tsar, despite the indignation of the Church. With such an outcome, the spectators of the competition, first of all, congratulated the winner, and did not grieve for the loser.
In the tale of P. P. Bazhov "Broad Shoulder" (1948) there is a description of the instructions of the combat headman to his fighters. He arranges them the way he thinks best, and punishes them to fight not for their own amusement, but at the same time with the whole wall, “broad shoulder”.
The writer S. T. Aksakov described in his work “A Story from Student Life” (1806) fistfights that took place on Lake Kaban in Kazan. F. I. Chaliapin (1837 - 1901) almost a century later participated in fisticuffs on Lake Kaban, in which the Tatar and Russian sides converged. He reverently treated the mighty fists, comparing them with fabulous Russian heroes. Fedor himself used fistfighting skills in life when a rival in love tried to attack him.
B. M. Kustodiev in 1897 painted the painting “Fistfight on the Moscow River”. The work feels the dynamics of the event, although the episodes, at first glance, are scattered. Someone is vividly watching what is happening from the side; someone, brushing off his hat, is going to get involved in a fight; someone heatedly discusses the beatings of one of the participants. In the distance, a struggle rages on the ice of the river. This picture very colorfully conveys the emotions of the people gathered for fisticuffs.
In the novel "The Life of Matvey Kozhemyakin" (1909), Maxim Gorky (A. M. Peshkov) describes the tactics of fisticuffs. One of the tricks is to put forward several strong fighters against the enemy’s wall, and when the opponents, pressing on these fighters, stretch out like a wedge, clasp them with a wall from the sides, crushing the opponent. In response to such a move, another trick was invented - to quickly retreat in the center and grab the wall of the cunning enemy with his strong vanguard in a half ring, crushing him from the sides in the same way as he wanted to do himself.
S. A. Yesenin, in his autobiographical notes “About Me” (1925), wrote that his grandfather teased him for fisticuffs when Sergei was still a boy, telling his grandmother that this way the boy would be stronger.
The writer L. M. Leonov from the novel "The Thief" (1927) says that only in fistfights can one find a reliable comrade: in a fight "all human habit is visible through and through."
This list does not exhaust all available information about the mention of fisticuffs in Russian art, but at the same time gives a complete figurative picture of the old Russian competitive game.
In ancient Russia, fisticuffs were often held. They existed in Russia from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to entertainment, fisticuffs were a kind of war school that developed the people's skills necessary to defend the Motherland. To designate competitions, in addition to the term "fist fight", such as: "fists", "fight", "navkulachki", "fist striker", "strike" were used.
Story
Russia has its own martial arts traditions. The Slavs were known throughout Europe as valiant wars. Since wars in Russia were a frequent occurrence, every man should have mastered military skills. Starting from a very early age, with the help of a variety of games, such as “king of the hill”, “on an ice hill” and “a bunch of small ones”, wrestling and throwing, they gradually got used to the fact that you need to be able to stand up for the Motherland, family and themselves. As the children grew older, the games developed into actual fights known as "fistfights".
The first mention of such fights was made by the chronicler Nestor in 1048:
“Are we not living in a filthy way ... manners with all sorts of flattering, prevablable from God, pipes and buffoons, and harps, and mermaids; we see that the game is refined, and there are a lot of people, as if to shove each other the shame of the deeds of the planned business. »
Rules and types of fisticuffs
Fisticuffs were usually held on holidays, and the rampant fighting began during Maslenitsa. According to the number of participants, they were divided into: “street to street”, “village to village”, “settlement to settlement”. In the summer, the battle took place in the squares, in the winter - on frozen rivers and lakes. Both ordinary people and merchants participated in the battles.
There were types of fisticuffs: "one on one", "wall to wall". Considered a type of fistfight "clutch-dump", in reality it is an independent martial art, the Russian analogue of pankration, a fight without rules.
The most ancient type of fight is the “clutch-dump”, which was often called “coupling fight”, “scattered dump”, “dump fight”, “coupling fight”. It was a confrontation between fighters who fought without observing the order, each for himself and against everyone. As N. Razin mentioned: “Here it was necessary to have not only dexterity and a strong blow, but also special composure.”
The most common form of fisticuffs was wall-to-wall. The battle was divided into three stages: at first the boys fought, after them - unmarried young men, and at the end the adults also put up a wall. It was not allowed to beat a lying or crouched person, to grab his clothes. The task of each side was to put the enemy side to flight, or at least force them to retreat. The wall that lost the “field” (the territory on which the battle was fought) was considered defeated. Each “wall” had its own leader - “leader”, “ataman”, “combat headman”, “leader”, “old man”, who determined battle tactics and encouraged his comrades. Each of the teams also had “hope” fighters, who were intended to break the enemy’s formation, pulling out several fighters from there at once. A special tactic was used against such warriors: the wall diverged, letting “hope” inside, where special fighters were waiting for him, and immediately closed, preventing the enemy’s wall from passing. The warriors who met "hope" were experienced masters of "one-on-one" combat.