Applied Hand-to-Hand Combat (AHHC)

An applied hand-to-hand combat system was developed in the USSR in the mid-1970s in response to the active growth in popularity in the world and in the USSR of various martial arts of "Eastern" origin. The work was carried out by specialists of the USSR State Security Committee. It was based on a "synthetic" approach: the best of known martial arts was used, but adapted to the conditions of real combat. The KGB managed not only to select the most effective defense and attack techniques, but also, using the achievements of sports science, medicine and physiology, to bring them to a new, higher level. As a result, in the early 1980s, a sport-applied discipline appeared — "Hand-to-Hand Combat".

Since 1981, hand-to-hand combat began to develop under the auspices of the All-Union Voluntary Physical Culture and Sports Society "Dinamo" (AVPCSS "Dinamo"), which is why this version was long called the "Dinamo" version. Competitions among various law enforcement agencies for the prizes of the Central Council of "Dinamo" began to be held annually, and hand-to-hand combat was included in the Spartakiad of security and law enforcement agencies. Participation in competitions became a mandatory requirement for employees of special units of the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In 1985, hand-to-hand combat was included in the register of sports as an independent military-applied sport. Similar tasks were addressed in the army, where hand-to-hand combat became a mass, mandatory type of training for airborne troops and special forces units in all branches of the armed forces. Today, applied hand-to-hand combat is actively developing under the auspices of the All-Russian Federation of Applied Hand-to-Hand Combat, with all-Russian and interregional competitions held, including with the participation of SVO veterans in the discipline of "adaptive self-defense".

Applied hand-to-hand combat is actively developing in Russia and the CIS countries. In Russia, the All-Russian Federation of Applied Hand-to-Hand Combat operates, as well as regional federations, for example, in Saint Petersburg. All-Russian and interregional competitions are held with the participation of athletes from different regions of Russia. Special attention is given to adaptive programs for combat veterans. In the CIS countries, hand-to-hand combat schools based on the Soviet methodological foundation are also developing.

Applied hand-to-hand combat in its sports version is conducted according to unified rules that provide for a contact bout between fighters with a wide range of striking and grappling actions.

Key features of the rules:

Forbidden techniques: in sports competitions, dangerous and injurious techniques and strikes are prohibited, including strikes to the back of the head and to the back, as well as certain throws. In the applied version of the rules, there are practically none.

Protective equipment: protective equipment is used that allows powerful strikes to be delivered while avoiding serious injuries. The equipment includes gloves for hand-to-hand combat (weighing 10 ounces for athletes up to 75 kg and 12 ounces for athletes over 75 kg), a field jacket and trousers, as well as protective devices.

Determining the winner: the winner is determined by the scoring system of the fighters' actions.

Advantages of the sport

Training in applied hand-to-hand combat provides unique advantages that make it especially valuable both for military personnel and special services operatives, as well as for civilians:

Effective self-defense. PRB is a system designed for protection against an attack in real conditions, when there is no opportunity to use weapons or special means. The main goal is to ensure a person's safety in extreme situations.

Development of physical and psychological qualities. PRB develops self-confidence and belief in one's abilities, improves physical fitness and health, and builds psychological resilience. Training helps maintain good shape, teaches how to manage emotions and properly distribute energy.

Versatility. PRB combines elements of various martial arts and prepares the fighter to counter an actively fighting opponent. A fighting character is developed and a refined individual arsenal is formed.

Military-applied significance. Hand-to-hand combat training serves as a means of comprehensive combat training, developing skills necessary for real combat.