:: What Is FFS? ::

Floro Fighting Systems is a system of Edged Weapon combat and defence that is not only simple to learn, but is one of the most effective systems of self defence available today.

Efficient, direct and immediate, FFS is one of the very few styles that is still based on the blade, and is used by civilians and members of the military, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Not to be restricted to edged weapons you’ll find that FFS is extremely adaptable and is actually tailored to be highly effective in the use of improvised weapons such as the pen, belt, torch/flashlight, shovel/entrenching tool and more! FFS even has some highly effective empty hand methods that share the efficiency and effectiveness of it’s weapons based counterparts.

The aim is for all MSD supervisors to be able to deliver the EWA package with Raymond working with the instructors to increase their knowledge and skill base in this evolving area.

Raymond is currently working with the NSW Police to introduce a new "Edged Weapons Defence" program into the Force.

:: What Characterises FFS? ::

The System:

Floro Fighting Systems was developed by Raymond Floro, a fencing champion and martial artist. After extensive training in European and Filipino methods of edged weapon combat Ray developed his system. Highlights of FFS Include

#1) FFS heavily utilizes thrusts as opposed slashes. FFS practitioners execute their techniques in tight, efficient and non-telegraphed motions. Fast, efficient, non-telegraphic movement is a core component of FFS

#2) Distancing - FFS strongly encourages it’s practitioners to be at either long range or extremely close. FFS practitioners will hardly stand in medium range because as they feel that there is a high probability of "double kills" (ie both opponents landing a hit on each other as opposed to just one of the opponents landing an effective strike without being hit in the process). Utilizing fencing footwork helps the FFS practitioner close the distance quickly

#3) FFS - Uses "Linear Motion" as it's the basis for footwork, which is taken directly from fencing. FFS practitioners find fast and efficient! Furthermore, the simple and effective footwork of FFS doesn't require much room to move (an extremely important point to keep in mind for self defence should you need to defend yourself in confined and or crowded places like bars, cars, buses, trains etc)

#4) FFS has done away with traditional Filipino terms

FFS is drawn from not only Ray Floro's experiences in Fencing but also from Ray's times he spent training with Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo. Furthermore, FFS continues to constantly evolve as FFS Instructors and students make their own observations and contributions to the system (these contributions are regularly tested and examined to ensure that the system is not watered down or "padded out" thus ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the system can only keep improving)

:: The Meaning of the FFS Symbol ::

The eight arms of the symbol represent the angles of attack or of strikes. The dots at the end and at the intersection of the arms at the centre, represent thrusts. They also represent the direction of footwork and movement.

One of the essential elements of the system is the small circle near the centre. This emphasises that the execution of techniques avoids wide, unnecessary movements, therefore enhancing speed, power and timing.
Some of the arms are broken and some are full. This represents the other essential
ingredient that one needs to master - broken timing and broken rythm. You need to break the opponents timing and rythm and moves within the system take advantage of this.

The colours of the logo are representative of the colours of the Filipino flag which reminds us that the art has its ancestry in the Philippines.

:: FFS Gradings ::

FFS has a ranking/grading structure as follows:

• White
• Yellow
• Green
• Brown
• Black

Various FFS instructors will have their own individual methods for assessment and awarding a grading but at ISOHEALTH there is no set “grading day” for FFS ranking. Instead the rank will simply be awarded to the student when the instructor (Matt Jones) feels the student has proven they are ready to receive and wear that rank.

At ISOHEALTH the criteria we use to assess a student’s readiness to be awarded a particular FFS ranking is as follows:

:: Training Options in FFS ::

At ISOHEALTH the main option available for training in Floro Fighting Systems (FFS) is private lessons in either a one-on-one format or small group format. You will find that some FFS material is included in our regular class timetable in the Reality-Based classes but generally speaking private lessons and workshops is our main method for offering FFS training.

Why do you not offer regular classes in FFS on your timetable?

This is a great question and the answer is actually quite simple. You see, the thing FFS is famous for is it's edged weapons material and at ISOHEALTH edged weapons expertise is something we prefer to work on privately with people for one main reason:

• As a matter of social responsibility we find that by only offering edged weapon training in private sessions we have greater control of who learns the material

Now sure, we are very particular about who let we let train at ISOHEALTH in any of our classes and or systems but we believe that given FFS has a much greater emphasis on the handling of edged weapons we feel that it warrants an especially high level of vetting and private lessons allow us to do just that! This might seem overly fussy, it might even seem unreasonable but it is most certainly something we feel most comfortable with. As stated elsewhere on our site you will find some of the FFS empty hand and defensive concepts incorporated into our other classes and you are always welcome to ask us more about FFS.