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.
Lesson two builds on the basics laid down in lesson one, and introduces a subtle variation of the basic thrust attack, the linear "slash" attack. It also covers the different angles of attack based on an angle matrix, from where you can also practice all the possible combinations of attacks. Variations of the blocks are also included, as well as an introduction to the lunging footwork derived from fencing. Even if the course ended here there would already have been enough to practice for months, and it would already make one skilled in knife fighting.
Lesson three sort of changes the rhythm a little bit, focusing now on basic unarmed defences. I think this is a great component for the video course, and is what will make it useful for the ordinary unarmed civilian. The "universal shield" is something you can teach to almost anyone, and takes advantage of the flinch response that people have when attacked by surprise. It just needs to be practiced for several weeks to commit it to muscle memory. The more advanced unarmed defense, which is a latch-on variation of the universal block, is definitely harder to do. But Ray Floro clearly shows its advantages, such as when the opponent pins you to a wall and starts stabbing you in the stomach.
The fourth lesson is a lesson which can trace its influences from the Kalis Ilustrisimo style of escrima where Ray Floro is a master. I was surprised at what I thought was a risky baiting maneuver called the "U" technique. It involves baiting the opponent to strike your arm, which he will miss as you draw a kind of letter "U" in the air. I'm not sure if it's something I'll use, since it does leave your head exposed. But in the hands of someone like Ray Floro it can be effective, as his demonstration shows.
Finally, lesson five presents the most advanced concepts of the Floro Fighting System. Most impressive here is the "step, shuffle, lunge" footwork, which might look cartoonish at first, but is very effective in bridging long distances quickly to attack the opponent right in the face. This footwork is definitely different from many of the traditional angular foot movements found in escrima, and comes straight from the fencing tradition.
Overall, Ray Floro develops a lot of techniques which are truly original and which have never been seen before in martial arts history, at least certainly not for the knife. His guiding philosophy is simplicity and effectiveness. In fact it's become so simple and so effective that any person can learn the style with a little practice. Many knife fighting techniques out there are completely out of reach for ordinary people. But these techniques are both accessible, and deadly. I give this video course five stars.
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.
Lesson two builds on the basics laid down in lesson one, and introduces a subtle variation of the basic thrust attack, the linear "slash" attack. It also covers the different angles of attack based on an angle matrix, from where you can also practice all the possible combinations of attacks. Variations of the blocks are also included, as well as an introduction to the lunging footwork derived from fencing. Even if the course ended here there would already have been enough to practice for months, and it would already make one skilled in knife fighting.
Lesson three sort of changes the rhythm a little bit, focusing now on basic unarmed defences. I think this is a great component for the video course, and is what will make it useful for the ordinary unarmed civilian. The "universal shield" is something you can teach to almost anyone, and takes advantage of the flinch response that people have when attacked by surprise. It just needs to be practiced for several weeks to commit it to muscle memory. The more advanced unarmed defense, which is a latch-on variation of the universal block, is definitely harder to do. But Ray Floro clearly shows its advantages, such as when the opponent pins you to a wall and starts stabbing you in the stomach.
The fourth lesson is a lesson which can trace its influences from the Kalis Ilustrisimo style of escrima where Ray Floro is a master. I was surprised at what I thought was a risky baiting maneuver called the "U" technique. It involves baiting the opponent to strike your arm, which he will miss as you draw a kind of letter "U" in the air. I'm not sure if it's something I'll use, since it does leave your head exposed. But in the hands of someone like Ray Floro it can be effective, as his demonstration shows.
Finally, lesson five presents the most advanced concepts of the Floro Fighting System. Most impressive here is the "step, shuffle, lunge" footwork, which might look cartoonish at first, but is very effective in bridging long distances quickly to attack the opponent right in the face. This footwork is definitely different from many of the traditional angular foot movements found in escrima, and comes straight from the fencing tradition.
Overall, Ray Floro develops a lot of techniques which are truly original and which have never been seen before in martial arts history, at least certainly not for the knife. His guiding philosophy is simplicity and effectiveness. In fact it's become so simple and so effective that any person can learn the style with a little practice. Many knife fighting techniques out there are completely out of reach for ordinary people. But these techniques are both accessible, and deadly. I give this video course five stars.
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