Our focus

In the GFFG we try to strive for dynamic training that creates versatile fighters, capable of handling many different kinds of weapons, including improvised weapons or even unarmed. This means that we practice with a variety of weapons, that are divided into three categories; one hand weapons, two hand weapons and polearms. In addition to this we also practice unarmed and dagger, integrated into all other training. All members will actively be practicing all these categories and will build a basic knowledge and skill in them through the obligatory training. Our goal is to build a basic understanding of the principles of the whole martial art, rather than single techniques for indvidual weapons. We believe the techniques are born and come out of the principles by themselves, but they will of course also be practiced specifically. On top of this there will also be room for later specialization in one or more weapons, with varying levels of support from our instructors.

Our foundation lies in the manuals that were written by fencing master Joachim Meyer around 1560-71, and which include longsword, dusack (a kind of proto-sabre), sidesword, dagger, grappling, staff, halberd and pike. Meyer himself studied the older masters and was well familiar with several older combat manuals, for which reason we also study sources like the manual Hs.3227a, Hans Leküchner, Sigmund Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, Hans Talhoffer, Peter Falkner, Martin Syber, Andre Paurñfeyndt and Jörg Wilhalm. In the future we may also include other weapons and fencing traditions.

Due to this we are also associated with the Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, an international organization that is completely dedicated to the study of Joachim Meyer’s martial art. This gives us excellent opportunity for international cooperation and our members through this gain access to the study material of the MFFG, and can take part of MFFG events, despite not formally being an MFFG club.

GFFG is also member of the Swedish HEMA Federation (SvHEMAF), the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation (SB&K) as well as the Swedish Sports Confederation (RF). This means that we stand behind the following message given by the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation:

Sports for all
In alignment with the sports movement’s mission, set by the Swedish Sports Confederation, we in the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation (SB&K), at all levels, want to manage our sports so that they develop people positively, physically and mentally, as well as socially and culturally. Therefore, everyone who wants to, regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnical background, religion or other beliefs, sexual orientation, age, social background, as well as physical or mental condition, shall be part of our association-run sporting activities. Diversity and meeting between people of different background and experience is a great asset in our federation.

Tradition
Our sports have their origin in many parts of the world, which gives a special value to respecting and keeping them alive. Most of our sports have a history which goes back hundreds, sometimes thousands of years back. This too is something we wish to permeate the activities and to give our members educational perspectives.

Source: SB&K on “Open Diversity” and RF on “Diversity“.

We strongly believe in this message and our activities are distinctly led in accordance with this.