Judge a sensei by his students not his ability

Just because your sensei may lack the physical ability, it doesn't mean he or she can't teach great karate!

Over the years, I've heard both students and senseis criticising senseis for their apparent lack of martial ability. True, the senseis in question may not be capable of delivering a head-level round kick, and they may even lack the sharpness and athleticism of their students, but does that make them a bad sensei? Of course not!

Kancho is now in his fifties, and to be honest, I doubt if he delivers many flying side-kicks nor does the splits very often any more. However, he has a lifetime of martial arts experience and the wisdom to know how to apply his knowledge. Perhaps a less experienced student, all young, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, will throw 100 punches and 50 kicks in a fight, leaving himself horribly open with each and every one. Kancho on the other hand, may only throw one punch, but it will be strong, well-timed and deadly.

Do you suppose for one second, that every single Olympic coach is capable of doing the things that he teaches his athletes to do? Of course not, but he understands the science and the psychology, and he can explain it, and drive the athlete to achieve greatness.

There's a saying in the martial arts that goes, "Train with the oldest sensei you can find, because he knows for certain, the most economical way to fight!"

So next time you look at a sensei and think badly of them because they don't fit your picture of a "real" martial artist, remember, it's what's in their head that counts, not what they can do.

Here's a poser for you - you walk into a barbers to get your hair cut. There are two hairdressers, each of whom cut the other one's hair. Which one do you get to cut your hair? The one with the worst haircut of course; after all, he gave the other one his better haircut!

So perhaps when considering a sensei, you should judge him by the quality of his students, not by his own abilities, after all, they are the best reflection of his knowledge and teaching skills...s