I've been interested in the Ray Floro fighting system for several years now, after first seeing their short Youtube video, "The Seven Vital Truths of Edged Weapons". But it's only now that I got to finally download their video course. I was skeptical at first, but after watching I've turned into a kind of believer. I've been practicing escrima for more than six years and have already earned my third-degree black belt, but if I were really honest I'd say not all my knife fighting skills will work in a real life fight. Ray Floro gives some of the simplest and most effective techniques guaranteed to work in real life, and he's stripped away all those elaborate, showy moves.
Lesson one starts off with the signature reverse grip for knife which is the standard knife grip in FFS. This reverse grip allows for the "non-telegraphic" strike, which is a straight linear thrust at the opponent. It's called non-telegraphic because the opponent can't see or anticipate it until it's too late. It's only the arm that moves during delivery; there's no preparatory movement from the shoulders, torso, or legs. I must add that the move is well thought-out and scientific in its principles. It was designed for the fastest attack possible, faster than any circular slash with a knife. I also like how Ray Floro immediately goes into sparring to prove the effectiveness of his techniques.
The second lesson is still in the area of long range, adding more nuances to the basic strike presented in lesson one, such as the linear slashing strike, which I believe is also unique to FFS. Also, one is introduced to the fencing footwork of FFS, such as the lunge. The same speed that you find in fencing is also applied here, in fact it seems even faster because of the lighter weight of the weapon. Ray Floro repeatedly demonstrates arm strikes which hit in 0.27 seconds. With the legwork it might even be faster.
Lesson three begins on a different note, introducing unarmed defense against the knife. Of course this is the part I've been waiting for, since it's what will make the course useful also for the ordinary citizen. And besides, it's illegal to carry knives in many countries. Ray Floro introduces his version of the "universal shield" which any person can learn and apply quickly, and which takes advantage of the person's natural defensive reaction of raising his arms and covering his face.
Lesson four covers an element which I think few martial arts really deal with in their curriculum, faking and deceiving the opponent. It's such a shame, because fakes often come out during sparring sessions, and also in real life fights. The Floro Fighting System has clear theories in this area. One of the simplest and yet most startling techniques is "the stare" which uses the opponent's tendency to look at your eyes, and use it against him. I think the stare technique plus the non-telegraphic strikes of Ray Floro make his system one of the most unpredictable fighting systems out there. You just can't anticipate what the person will throw at you, because deceiving is part of the very system itself.
The fifth lesson gives some of the advanced concepts of the system, such as the pivot leg movement which completely evades a lunging knife attack, useful when you're facing an experienced FFS fighter. Ray Floro also introduces an elbow and forearm jam which resembles some moves in Wing Chun. And finally my favorite is the shuffling legwork he uses to close very long distances. If I might add, it confuses the enemy too. It's like a faking motion with the legs.
Given all these lessons, I don't hesitate to call the Ray Floro video course the best knife fighting video course I've ever seen. What makes it so good is its emphasis on simplicity and fatal efficiency. There seems to be a tendency to treat knife fighting as something completely out of reach for even professional martial artists. As if it can only be learned by Green Berets or NAVY Seals. Ray Floro has done a great job of making all these knife fighting skills accessible to anyone who wants to learn them.
Lesson one starts off with the signature reverse grip for knife which is the standard knife grip in FFS. This reverse grip allows for the "non-telegraphic" strike, which is a straight linear thrust at the opponent. It's called non-telegraphic because the opponent can't see or anticipate it until it's too late. It's only the arm that moves during delivery; there's no preparatory movement from the shoulders, torso, or legs. I must add that the move is well thought-out and scientific in its principles. It was designed for the fastest attack possible, faster than any circular slash with a knife. I also like how Ray Floro immediately goes into sparring to prove the effectiveness of his techniques.
The second lesson is still in the area of long range, adding more nuances to the basic strike presented in lesson one, such as the linear slashing strike, which I believe is also unique to FFS. Also, one is introduced to the fencing footwork of FFS, such as the lunge. The same speed that you find in fencing is also applied here, in fact it seems even faster because of the lighter weight of the weapon. Ray Floro repeatedly demonstrates arm strikes which hit in 0.27 seconds. With the legwork it might even be faster.
Lesson three begins on a different note, introducing unarmed defense against the knife. Of course this is the part I've been waiting for, since it's what will make the course useful also for the ordinary citizen. And besides, it's illegal to carry knives in many countries. Ray Floro introduces his version of the "universal shield" which any person can learn and apply quickly, and which takes advantage of the person's natural defensive reaction of raising his arms and covering his face.
Lesson four covers an element which I think few martial arts really deal with in their curriculum, faking and deceiving the opponent. It's such a shame, because fakes often come out during sparring sessions, and also in real life fights. The Floro Fighting System has clear theories in this area. One of the simplest and yet most startling techniques is "the stare" which uses the opponent's tendency to look at your eyes, and use it against him. I think the stare technique plus the non-telegraphic strikes of Ray Floro make his system one of the most unpredictable fighting systems out there. You just can't anticipate what the person will throw at you, because deceiving is part of the very system itself.
The fifth lesson gives some of the advanced concepts of the system, such as the pivot leg movement which completely evades a lunging knife attack, useful when you're facing an experienced FFS fighter. Ray Floro also introduces an elbow and forearm jam which resembles some moves in Wing Chun. And finally my favorite is the shuffling legwork he uses to close very long distances. If I might add, it confuses the enemy too. It's like a faking motion with the legs.
Given all these lessons, I don't hesitate to call the Ray Floro video course the best knife fighting video course I've ever seen. What makes it so good is its emphasis on simplicity and fatal efficiency. There seems to be a tendency to treat knife fighting as something completely out of reach for even professional martial artists. As if it can only be learned by Green Berets or NAVY Seals. Ray Floro has done a great job of making all these knife fighting skills accessible to anyone who wants to learn them.
About the Author:
Outside of fighting, the article author simultaneously advises many others how to get skinny, primarily how to get skinny thighs.
