Shotokan Karate

Karate Classes

At Fightingsystems, our Karate programme is built on over 45 years of experience, combining traditional martial arts values with modern, practical training methods.

Whether you are completely new to martial arts or looking to refine advanced skills, our classes are designed to support every stage of your journey.

What We Teach

Our Karate training follows a complete and structured syllabus, including:

• Fundamental techniques – punches, kicks, blocks, and stances
• Kata (forms) – developing precision, balance, and control
• Kumite (sparring) – safe, controlled partner work to build timing and confidence
• Self-defence applications – practical techniques for real-world situations

Each session is carefully structured to build strong foundations while ensuring consistent progression.

Classes for All Ages

We offer Karate classes for ages 5 to 75, across all ability levels – novice, intermediate, and advanced.

Our classes include:

• Children – improving focus, respect, and confidence in a fun, supportive setting
• Teenagers – building discipline, resilience, and self-belief
• Adults – enhancing fitness, reducing stress, and learning effective self-defence
• Beginners – no prior experience needed
• Advanced students – structured progression with grading opportunities

Our inclusive approach ensures everyone feels welcome, regardless of age or ability.

Expert Instruction You Can Trust

All Karate classes are led by senior instructors under the guidance of Tracey Phipps (8th Dan), a former GB champion and international competitor.

• Minimum of two instructors in every class
• Male and female instructors present at all sessions
• Strong emphasis on safe, structured, and supportive learning

This ensures every student receives individual attention and high-quality coaching.

Benefits of Training in Karate

Training with us goes far beyond physical techniques. Students consistently develop:

• Confidence and self-discipline
• Improved fitness, strength, and flexibility
• Better focus and mental resilience
• Respect and a positive mindset
• Practical, real-world self-defence skills

A Safe and Supportive Environment

We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, professional training environment where students feel comfortable, motivated, and supported.

Safety is a priority in every class, with structured progressions and controlled training methods.

Start Your Karate Journey

Based in Hemel Hempstead, we welcome students from Berkhamsted, Kings Langley, St Albans, Harpenden, Leverstock Green, and Nash Mills.

Whether your goal is fitness, confidence, competition, or self-defence, our Karate classes provide a clear path to progress.

Get started today and experience the benefits of Karate training with Fightingsystems.

The Origins of Karate

Karate at its best in a friendly, fun yet focused environment

The fascinating art of Karate, as it is known today, originated more than 1000 years ago from the Far East. The first forms of Karate we practice today were believed to have been practised by monks of the ancient monasteries and later given to lower classes as an unarmed method of self defence, to guard against the many outlaws of that time.

These fighting skills travelled from China to the island of Okinawa with the Chinese seafarers. During the 17th Century, this crude defence system became a highly developed art form. Our style of Karate Shotokan was introduced to mainland Japan in 1922 by the great Gichin Funakoshi, known as ‘The Father of Modern Day Karate’. .He was not only an avid follower of the teachings of Karate but also a renown poet. The name ‘Shotokan’ derives from his pen name ‘Shoto’ which means ‘Pine Waves’ and ‘Kan’ meaning hall or training place.

Our Logo depicts a sprig of pine needles and the rising sun of Japan as a tribute to Gichin Funakoshi’s memory. The Karate we practice today owes much to this man as he developed the methods of training we follow today and established Shotokan as the most widely practised style of Karate throughout the World

Its full title, Karate-Do, literally means ‘Way of the Empty Hand’, symbolising that its practitioners (Karateka) are unarmed but trained to use their hands, feet and other parts of the body as fighting weapons. Shotokan emphasises a balanced development of speed, skill, strength and range of technique taught within a system which instils self-confidence and self-discipline.

For further details contact us via email at info@fightingsystems.co.uk or call 07979 751205.

Tracey Phipps is an 8th Dan black belt and highly experienced karate and self-defence instructor with a strong competitive pedigree. During the 1980s she competed at national and international level in kumite, winning titles including the Welsh Open Champion (1982) and British Open Champion (1984, under 60kg).

Representing England, she secured multiple international team gold medals against countries such as the USA, Norway, Scotland and Australia, and reached the last 16 at the World Championships in Maastricht. She also achieved 4th place finishes at the European Championships in both individual and team kumite.

Today, she brings that elite competitive experience into her teaching, leading training across karate, Krav Maga and practical self-defence.

★★★★★

“The personalized attention and expert guidance have made all the difference in my training journey.”