Combat pit official logo black
Back to Glossary
Home
Search
Martial Arts Culture and History
Gear and Equipment
Personalities
Skill Development
Mind and Body Connection
Weapons and Traditional Tools
Martial arts map
Complete blog posts directory
Contact

Sambo

What is Sambo?

Sambo is a martial art and combat sport that originated in the Soviet Union in the early 20th century. The name "Sambo" is an acronym derived from the Russian phrase "SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya," which means "self-defense without weapons." It combines elements of judo, wrestling, and various traditional folk styles of wrestling from the former Soviet republics.

There are two main styles of Sambo:

  1. Sport Sambo: Focuses on throws, ground control, and submissions, similar to judo and wrestling. It is practiced as a competitive sport with specific rules and regulations.
  2. Combat Sambo: Includes striking techniques along with the grappling techniques found in Sport Sambo. It is designed for self-defense and military applications and is often practiced by law enforcement and military personnel.

Sambo has gained international recognition and is practiced around the world. It is known for its effectiveness in both sport and self-defense scenarios.

Related Article: Sambo: The Russian Martial Art and Combat Sport

So many people assume that I'm cold and callous, but the truth is you need a big heart to fight. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I have had it broken too. I can compete with broken toes or stitches in my foot. I can take a hit without batting an eyelash but I will burst into tears if a sad song comes on the radio. I'm vulnerable; that's why I fight.
Ronda "Rowdy" Rousey

Check out the latest blogs

See all articles

Other Glossary terms

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Qwan Ki Do
Qwan Ki Do is a Vietnamese martial art that combines various techniques and philosophies from traditional Vietnamese and Chinese martial arts.
Q
Katana
The katana is a traditional Japanese sword known for its distinctive appearance and craftsmanship.
K
Straight Lead
The straight lead is a fundamental striking technique in Jeet Kune Do (JKD), the martial arts philosophy developed by Bruce Lee.
S
Atemi-Waza
Atemi-Waza refers to striking techniques in traditional Japanese martial arts, including Judo, Aikido, and Karate.
A
Chin Na
Chin Na, also spelled Qinna, is a Chinese martial art technique that focuses on seizing and controlling an opponent through joint locks, pressure point manipulation, and other grappling techniques.
C
Centerline Theory
Centerline Theory is a fundamental concept in Wing Chun, as well as in other martial arts, that emphasizes the importance of controlling the central axis of the body during combat.
C
Plong
In the context of the traditional Thai martial art Krabi Krabong, "plong" refers to a long wooden staff used as a weapon.
P
Taekkyon
Taekkyon is a traditional Korean martial art that dates back to ancient times. It is characterized by its fluid, dance-like movements, which include a variety of kicks, strikes, and grappling techniques.
T
Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu, also known as "the art of stealth" or "the art of the ninja," is a traditional Japanese martial art that encompasses various skills and techniques used by ninjas (shinobi) for espionage, guerrilla warfare, and survival.
N
Foam Rollers
Foam rollers are cylindrical pieces of exercise equipment made from dense foam, used for self-myofascial release (SMR), a technique that helps relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, and increase joint range of motion.
F
Vovinam
Vovinam, also known as Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo, is a Vietnamese martial art that was founded by Nguyễn Lộc in 1938. It incorporates a wide range of techniques, including striking, grappling, throws, and joint locks. Vovinam also includes the use of traditional Vietnamese weapons.
V
Judoka
A Judoka is a person who practices judo, a modern martial art and combat sport that originated in Japan.
J
Muay Korat
Muay Korat is another traditional style of Muay Boran, the ancient martial art that is the predecessor to modern Muay Thai.
M
Xuan Ji Bu
Xuan Ji Bu
X
Satba
A "satba" is a crucial piece of equipment used in Ssireum, the traditional Korean wrestling sport.
S
No Items Found