http://florofightingsystems.blogspot.com/

I’m sick of this one stuffing up all the time.

The new one is not as flash…….BUT

IT BLOODY WELL WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you’ll see me doing more entries

Floro Fighting wishes everyone a healthy year with an abundance of good fortune for 2009!

We have many FFS training activities and events planned for 2009 and will keep everyone informed as details are confirmed and the time approaches.

This is a year where the qualities shown by the OX’s characteristics will definitely benefit those who wish to take their training to another level and refine their skill to expert status.

The traits of being, dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, steady, modest, logical, resolute and tenacious, are certainly attributes that can help you get to the top of the heap, when applied to developing the skill and mindset required to be highly proficient at martial arts.

Make this your best training year ever!

We hope to cross your path and say hello this year in a training venue somewhere!

All the best, Ray and the FFS Team.

ANNOUNCING!!!!!!!!!

Ash Sinclair who is the Head of the Millenia Fighting Academy is hosting me for a seminar this coming Saturday in Adelaide.

Ash is a fully accredited FFS Instructor and a great friend.

For those interested.  The times for the seminar are

10am – 1pm Saturday 13th December

Location: East Marden Primary Gym, James Street, Campbelltown

Contact: Ash at Millennia Fighting Academy -

http://www.millenniaacademy.com/index.html

0424342257 or

ash@millenniaacademy.com

I’m looking forward to meeting you there.

Announcing  that I will be flying to Singapore in early March 2009 to conduct a series of seminars.

My friend and representative, Gilbert Chee has been working hard to make this happen.

We currently have two seminar offerings.  One will be for those wishing to become accredited FFS Instructors, and one catering for those wishing to learn FFS without the Instructor’s portion.

Details and updates are found in this link:

www.florofightingsingapore.blogspot.com/

LUKE BESTON is now a fully accredited Floro Fighting Systems Instructor.

Luke began martial arts training almost 20 years ago.

His background includes 15 years of Gracie Jiu Jitsu training and a Black Belt under Royler Gracie & Bruno Panno.

With the introduction of the new Self Defence program at his school, this has led Luke to attain a number of Instructor Certifications this year including Jim Wagner RBPP, ISR Matrix PM, and now Floro Fighting Systems.

Floro Fighting Systems will form the core of the Self Defence program at his Newcastle based academy.

Luke has asked me to thank FFS Instructors Davo, Matt Jones, James Seckold and Mick Barton who all helped with his introduction to FFS.

For more information on Luke’s school including timetable, locations, and contact information please visit www.gracie.com.au

           For many years now I have been wanting someone to represent FFS in Victoria.

I am proud to say that my “quest” has finally finished.

I’m announcing that WAYNE ARDLEY is now a fully accredited Floro Fighting Systems Instructor.

Wayne began martial arts training almost 25 years ago.

His background includes:

10 years of BJJ training under John Will and Doug Meijer.

Previously an Instructor under Mick Nichols (trained with him for over 10 years) in various arts including Freestyle Combat, Kali, Kickboxing and Defentech).

Wayne has been training FFS for over 3 years and have included FFS principles as the core focus of his personal street system.

Classes available in BJJ, MMA and Juggernaut Self Defence (core techniques are based on FFS and focus on defence against multiple attacks and weapons). 

Private lessons are also available in FFS and Kickboxing.

Contact:

Wayne Ardley

19 Yuilles Rd

Mornington VIC (Full Time Facility)

email: juggernautmma@netspace.net.au

Mobile:   0421 146 952

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to ASH SINCLAIR from Adelaide, South Australia.

Ash has joined the ranks of FFS Instructor recently.

He is the founder and Head Instructor of Millennia Fighting Academy.

His Academy provide diverse training in all areas of combat and sport which draws on his foundations in Boxing, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Kenpo, Military Close Quarter Fighting and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I recommend you visit his website on

http://www.millenniaacademy.com/4.html

or email Ash on

ash@millenniaacademy.com

Left Pic. Ash (at Left) thrusts at James (at Right) low line.  Take note of James’ rear leg on the red line.

Right Pic. James (at Right), maintains his guard and intercepts Ash (at Left) attack by quickly shuffling his rear foot backwards.  This will cause his line of defence to drop.

I’ve always said that the evolution and development of FFS is through feedback and questions through my students.

Today’s lesson was typical of that situation. I had a session with one of my new students (Sean Reilly). It was actually his 2^nd lesson with me. But even though he is new to FFS, Sean actually taught me something that would improve one of my moves.

His first lesson was the standard introduction to FFS; complete with the “Floro Shock” (i.e. getting hit in the face several times with non-telegraphic strikes). It is also “tradition” that we put into practice what was taught through sparring.

I find that one of the hardest things my students find when starting out with the sparring is how to deal with strikes on different levels i.e. High and low strikes.

When defending against a low line attack (e.g. to the stomach), it is a mistake to drop your hands to block or fend off the attack. The reason for this is that if you do drop your guard, you will also expose the “high line”. Hence, if you opponent fakes low, you are an easy target for a face shot.

The way I normally teach how to deal with this is to maintain the position of your guard, and instead of dropping the hands……you DROP YOUR BODY. This will effectively cover the low line.

The dropping of the body is made via bending the knees, much like doing a squat (do not bend the upper body like a “bow”).

Although an effective method, it can somewhat be hard to do, and slow, when taken by surprise.

Sean was trying to practice this move at home, and found it difficult. Especially since he is just recovering from a previous knee injury.

To compensate for this, he “invented” a new move.

Instead of squatting and bending both knees………..

From the guard position; when the low line attack comes. He shuffled just HIS REAR FOOT backwards. The front foot remains in the SAME position. It is only the rear foot that shuffles back. This in effect spreads your legs wider, hence making your body drop in height.

I think the move is genius…….as it is faster than squatting, and moving the foot back IS instinctive. The wider leg spread gives greater stability as well.

Well, there you go……the teacher being taught.

It is instances like these that one would call “Priceless”.

Ray Floro

Steve is now my representative in Wallerawang – !?!??!?!?!….Yes I know, I had to look it up.  Wallerawang is just outside Lithgow (2 hours west of Sydney).

The fact that Steve had to travel 4 to 5 hours round trip is proof of his dedication.

He is the founder and head instructor of Mu Yeh Taekwondo. Not only is he a high rank of 5^th Dan but also a certified national referee.

Steve has been a veteran of Martial Arts for many years, and has also studies other striking and grappling arts.

His website is www.muyehtaekwondo.com

I am very happy to have Steve onboard as I have found him so open and generous in his learning and teaching. 

WELL DONE STEVE!!!!!!!!

For those who are wondering what happened to our old website address.  Some unsavoury character by the name of Wolfgang Sauer stole our address from us. 

WE HAVE NOW MOVED TO:     

www.florofightingsystems.com

This makes a lot more sense as it will now be easier for people to do searches.

Please pass on our new address to as many people, forums and contacts.

WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!