[{"content":"\rThe Phoenix\r#\rThe Phoenix was the name of the first location of the P.S.K.O. club run by Sensei Fletch from the 1980’s through to the early 2000’s. The Phoenix symbol was then, and is now, very much the heart and soul of the Organisation.\nThe Phoenix represents the cycle of life, the old that turns into the new. Rising above adversity, it is the change, hope and growth that continues throughout life.\nDojo Rules\r#\rNo eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking in the Dojo. No jewellery to be worn whilst training. Bow upon entering and leaving the Dojo. Show absolute obedience to your instructors during training. Long hair must be tied back. When resting sit cross-legged. Do not be late for training. Call your instructor Sensei (pronounced Sen-say). Do not leave the class without permission from the instructor. Respect to all other students must be shown at all times. Misuse of one’s Karate knowledge may result in temporary (or permanent) suspension from the PSKO. Grading\r#\rGradings are held every 4 months and are open to all club members. They offer a chance to measure progress for both the student and their instructors. Here is the belt system used by the club:\n10th Kyu: White\r9th Kyu: Red\r8th Kyu: Yellow\r7th Kyu: Orange\r6th Kyu: Green\r5th Kyu: Blue\r4th Kyu: Purple\r3rd Kyu: Brown\r2nd Kyu: Brown + 1 white stripe\r1st Kyu: Brown + 2 white stripes\r1st Dan (Shodan): Black\rDepending on their attendance and proficiency students from 10th Kyu to 2nd Kyu are eligible to grade every 4 months. 1st Kyu and 1st Dan grades require a minimum of 8 months training each. After this further Dan grades are held less regularly and involve intensive training over a period of years. For example, at least 2 years of training is required for 2nd Dan, 3 years for 3rd Dan and so on. Nobody is guaranteed to pass a grading!\nGradings comprise the three physical key elements of Karate: Kihon, Kata and Kumite. These are assessed according to the grading syllabus devised by the instructors. Gradings become increasingly more challenging as the student progresses and are there to offer a unique challenge to all who participate. All students are encouraged to take part however they are not compulsory.\nStudent of the Month\r#\rAt the end of every Month we take the opportunity to remember that continuous effort and individual progress is an important part of our student’s journey to learning Shotokan Karate. We recognize and celebrate those individuals who demonstrate this effort during training and show good character traits such as teamwork, communication, respect, integrity and perseverance.\nTerminology\r#\rJapanese English Japanese English General Dojo Training Hall Dojo Kun Dojo code Sensei Instructor Seiza Kneel Rei Bow Yoi Ready Hajime Begin Mawatte Turn Yame Finish Gi Karate Suit Obi Belt Kime Focus Kiai Shout Kihon Basic techniques Kata Forms Kumite Sparring Oss Acknowledgement Jodan Head Chudan Middle body Gedan Lower body Counting Ichi One Ni Two San Three Shi Four Go Five Roku Six Shichi Seven Hachi Eight Kyu Nine Ju Ten Dachi Stances Zenkutsu dachi Front stance Kiba dachi Side / Horse stance Shiko dachi Open leg / Sumo stance Kokutsu dachi Back stance Uke Blocks Gedan barai Downward block Age uke Rising block Soto uke Outside block Uchi uke Inside block Shuto uke Knife hand block Tate Shuto uke Vertical knife hand block Nagashi uke Sweeping block Haishu uke Back hand block Empi uke Elbow block Juji uke X block Morote uke Augmented block Kakewake uke Wedge block Tsuki Punches Oi tsuki Stepping punch Kizami tsuki Front hand punch Gyaku tsuki Reverse hand punch Kagi tsuki Hook punch Ren tsuki Two punch combo Sanbon tsuki Three punch combo Uchi Strikes Age empi uchi Rising elbow strike Yoko empi uchi Side elbow strike Mawashi empi uchi Roundhouse elbow strike Ushiro empi uchi Reverse elbow strike Tate empi uchi Downward elbow strike Shuto uchi Knife hand strike Uraken uchi Back fist strike Tetsui uchi Hammer fist strike Nukite Spear hand thrust Teisho uchi Palm heel strike Haito uchi Ridge hand strike Geri Kicks Mae geri Front kick Yoko geri keage Side snap kick Yoko geri kekomi Side thrust kick Mawashi geri Roundhouse kick Ushiro geri Reverse kick Hiza geri Knee kick Ren geri Kicking combos Kumite Sparring Sanbon kumite Three step sparring Gohon kumite Five step sparring Kihon Ippon Kumite Basic one step sparring Jiyu Ippon Kumite Semi-freestyle sparring Kaishi Ippon Kumite Reaction sparring Jiyu Kumite Freestyle sparring ","date":"18 April 2026","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/about/","section":"Welcome To PSKO","summary":"","title":"About","type":"page"},{"content":"\rChief Instructor Michael Fletcher, 7th Dan\r#\rMichael Fletcher, or “Fletch” as he prefers to be known, started his Karate journey in 1984 under Bob Caruana and the S.S.K.A. After several years of consistent hard training he opened his first club, P.S.K.O. By the time he became a Shodan (1st Dan black belt) he was running 6 classes a week as well as pursuing his own training several hours a day. His love for karate continues to this day.\nInstructor Samantha Lewington, 3rd Dan\r#\rSam took up Karate in the 90’s after witnessing her best friend viciously attacked by a group of girls. She trained for many years in Sensei Fletch’s dojo in Leigh Park and was one of the first female students to achieve black belt at age 18. The dojo was a safe place where everyone was accepted and treated as equals.\nAfter a break she returned to training and joined Sensei Fletch in the newly reformed P.S.K.O as an instructor, keen to spread her love and passion for Karate.\nInstructor Stephanie Wilkinson, 3rd Dan\r#\rSteph brings a wealth of passion and competition experience to P.S.K.O. Herself a bronze medal winner in the 2019 World Championships, she has also coached European kata champions. Today Coach Steph heads up the club\u0026rsquo;s squad training and is a highly valued member of the team.\n","date":"17 April 2026","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/instructors/","section":"Welcome To PSKO","summary":"","title":"Instructors","type":"page"},{"content":"Classes are available for all levels at both the Church Hall (Mondays \u0026amp; Saturdays) and Havant Leisure Centre (Thursdays).\nUnder 7s are welcome to join our Mini-Phoenix sessions which run alongside the main classes.\nCost\r#\rClasses are £5 pay-as-you-go. If you wish to become a member there is an annual fee of £15 for a license. A beginner package is also available that includes license, Gi (outfit) and first grading.\nLocations\r#\rSt Michael \u0026amp; All Angels Church, Havant, PO9 4RR\nMonday: Two classes at 5pm \u0026amp; 6pm. All levels welcome.\nSaturday: Main class at 10am, followed by competition training at 11am. All levels welcome.\nHavant Leisure Centre, PO9 2AY\nThursday: Two classes at 5pm \u0026amp; 6pm. All levels welcome.\n","date":"17 April 2026","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/classes/","section":"Welcome To PSKO","summary":"","title":"Classes","type":"page"},{"content":"\rTraditional Shotokan Karate\r#\rP.S.K.O (Park Shotokan Karate Organization) is a friendly family run club with Traditional Shotokan Karate at its heart.\nBased in Havant, it is proudly run by Chief Instructor Michael Fletcher (7th Dan) and Instructor Samantha Lewington (3rd Dan).\nOur students are a good mix of age and experience, so whether you’re 7 or 70 everyone is welcome to train.\n\u0026#10094;\r\u0026#10095;\rBeginners can attend our classes at St Michael \u0026amp; All Angels Church on Monday \u0026amp; Saturday or Havant Leisure Centre on Thursday.\nWe also offer a Mini-Phoenix class for under 7s.\nClick here for more details.\nOur instructors are fully qualified, DBS and Child Protection checked and trained in First Aid.\nContact\r#\rEmail: karatepsko@outlook.com\nCall Sensei Fletch: 07900 420268\n","date":"14 April 2026","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/","section":"Welcome To PSKO","summary":"","title":"Welcome To PSKO","type":"page"},{"content":"","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/authors/","section":"Authors","summary":"","title":"Authors","type":"authors"},{"content":"","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/categories/","section":"Categories","summary":"","title":"Categories","type":"categories"},{"content":"","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/series/","section":"Series","summary":"","title":"Series","type":"series"},{"content":"","externalUrl":null,"permalink":"/tags/","section":"Tags","summary":"","title":"Tags","type":"tags"}]