FAQ of the CFC martial arts school: Wing Chun & self-defense in Villach

That depends on your goals. For competition, there are specialised schools. If you want practical self-defense for the street, the CFC martial arts school in Villach is the right place for you – with Wing Chun, FMA and HEMA as its training areas.

The decisive question is: who do you want to learn from? Neither the parking lot at the door nor the cheapest monthly fee should decide – what matters is the qualification of the person training you. Budget providers are a dime a dozen in this field, and some trainers even operate under names reminiscent of established schools without holding their level of training. Someone who has completed only a fraction of an education cannot teach you completely. A comparison: you would not have a kitchen installed by a star chef who cooks well, but by a carpenter with 30 years of experience. At CFC you learn from Headcoach Erich Ferlesch (Sifu 師傅): 36 years of martial arts practice, full-contact experience in Lei Tai kickboxing and decades of experience in operational security. His background ranges from Shaolin Kung Fu to boxing, kickboxing, Sanda, Wushu, Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu – the three CFC training areas Wing Chun, FMA and HEMA are the quintessence of it. So check carefully: Who does the teaching? Is there a modular system behind it? Can you train without a binding contract? Is private tuition available? Can you test what you learn under stress? Those who buy cheap often pay twice – looking closely pays off.

After arranging an appointment in advance, you can start straight away and without long waiting times.

Children aged 7–13 train separately with age-appropriate guidance. Training for younger children is available only by enquiry. Teenagers and adults train together, normally from age 14; joining at 13 may be possible after individual consultation depending on maturity. There is no upper age limit.

Basic fitness (sport is no stranger to you) and absolute motivation. Prior experience is not essential – I guide you step by step. You can also start after a long break from sport: strength, mobility, reaction and coordination develop gradually, with the pace adapted individually.

No spectators during training, to keep the focus. The trial lesson costs €30,- – a clear, binding entry after arranging a fixed appointment.

Loose sportswear, a spare T-shirt, a large towel, water (no glass bottles) and clean non-slip socks or socks – we train on mats, so no indoor shoes are used.

That depends on your goals – you should not train without one. Once the goal is clear, so is how often you should train: the more, the better, but less training does not mean lower quality. At least one group session per week, combined with private lessons, brings the most progress. Small groups are also possible by arrangement, to reach a workload that secures your progress.

Friday is the fixed entry point for group training. Tied up with work or private commitments? No problem: some students only come every other Friday and combine their training with private lessons. The best way to start is a private lesson with me anyway – that is where you get to know me and my skills first-hand. I bring 36 years of martial arts experience, and you will feel that from the very first minute. Private lessons are available on weekdays and weekends by arrangement.

Let's compare honestly: an hour of piano lessons costs around €100,-, an hour with a good physiotherapist around €90,-. The real question is: what is your self-defense worth to you? Self-defense is a craft that a professional teaches you until it becomes a skill for life. The illusion that a few tricks from a weekend seminar make you capable of defending yourself does not exist here. I built this expertise over more than three decades – and that has its price. All in all, it is not an expense but an investment in your abilities.

Clean, fresh sportswear, short and clean nails, deodorant and thoroughly washing your hands before training are mandatory.

No jewellery during training. Piercings must be securely taped or removed to avoid injuries.

CFC stands for Chi Fighting Concepts: you learn different concepts of the martial arts with one goal – the ability to defend yourself. CFC is the center for close combat & self-defense in Villach. Training at CFC Die Kampfkunstschule covers Wing Chun, FMA – Filipino Martial Arts (Eskrima, Arnis, Kali) and HEMA – Historical European Martial Arts. Close combat and self-defense are the specialisation; striking power, fitness boxing, violence prevention and CFC Kids complement the offering.

Combat sports (boxing, MMA, kickboxing) are competition with rules, weight classes and referees – a sporting frame. Martial arts are a system of principles and techniques, often with deep tradition. Self-defense is not a sport but protection: prevention, de-escalation and – when nothing else helps – the ability to end a real threat. CFC in Villach combines Wing Chun, FMA and HEMA with real-world self-defense and decades of experience in operational security.

I am Headcoach Erich Ferlesch and I lead your training: martial arts since 1990, Wing Chun since 1995, Sifu (師傅) of Wing Chun Gongfu since 2011 and decades of experience in operational security, with activities in event security, property protection and personal protection. I am a certified trainer for children, teenagers and adults.

The group trial lesson lasts 75 minutes and costs €30,- one-off. You book with payment and arrange a fixed appointment; this creates no membership or subscription. How to continue, we discuss together in person after the trial lesson.

CFC Die Kampfkunstschule, Karawankenweg 13, 9500 Villach (Auen district, Carinthia). Free parking and the bus stop “Villach Karawankenweg Nord” right at the door. Catchment area: Villach, Klagenfurt, Velden, Spittal, Feldkirchen, all of Carinthia and East Tyrol.

Yes. Corporate workshops for companies and authorities cover de-escalation, self-protection and team building, at my Villach school or on-site. Private lessons last 45 minutes and are available by appointment, including weekends. You can find the terms on my private lessons page. Requests: office@cfc-combat.com.

CFC training is built systematically. I ensure controlled training with appropriate protective gear and clear progressions. Full power is allowed only on pads and heavy bags – with a partner, training always stays controlled. The focus is clean technique and safety for everyone.

In CFC Kids (ages 7–13) I teach respect, self-control, fairness and a clear head in conflicts. Children learn to avoid physical confrontations – and to defend themselves when it really matters. By comparison, ball sports are often more dangerous than controlled martial arts training. I lead the training as Headcoach Erich Ferlesch, with supervision by the CFC coaching team.

You start with Module A1, which is also the first student grade. The twelve modules and student grades are A1–A5, B1–B4 and C1–C3. Children follow a separate path with twelve A–C stages and two additional transition stages preparing for adult training. Exams are voluntary – they show you and me where you stand, but are never a requirement to take part in class. You can find the children’s graduation overview on the children’s training page.

The trial lesson is paid online when you book – your place is only fixed once payment has arrived. For modules, private and small-group training you pay in cash on site or transfer the amount in advance: CFC Die Kampfkunstschule, IBAN AT38 2070 6046 0095 2982. Please use your name as the payment reference.