Do any of you know how to break boards? I am told that I will have to break boards as a part of my black belt exam and the whole idea of breaking a board or beam with my bare hands seems awesome.I picture Sato(a strong fellow)trying to break the same board for forty five years and failing miserably.Anyone here done it?
Posted by Justinhoward001 (Member # 2512) on :
I was told by my taekwondo instructor that board breaking -from a uk perspective- is extremely rare. 2 reasons. 1) expense. the only time i have done board breaking was using an artificial board made from plastic. I imagine using proper board (whatever wood its made from, probably chip board or mdf) would be expensive. 2) priorities. there are far more important things than boardbreaking; basics, self-defense etc (so im told).
that said, i would definately like to do more of this. i take it you practice karate then?
Posted by Ali (Member # 2408) on :
Yes. I practice karate. I have not yet done any board breaking though. Of course,self defense is far more important. Still,I would love to break a board. I think it would be kind of exhilirating. And it could come in handy,as it did on KK2 when Sato was under the beam.
Posted by Larry B. Scott (Member # 2508) on :
Hopefully your board will not be the gigantic log that Sato attempts to break.
Posted by Brown (Member # 89) on :
to quote Bruce Lee from Enter The Dragon...
"..boards don't hit back"
lol,
Posted by Claude Willis (Member # 2489) on :
Hey "Ali", From what I know, the trick to it is to do it "with the grain", as it is nearly impossible to do it "against the grain". It's like trying to break an egg by squeezing from the top, and bottom, rather than the sides, it is structurally impossible without a vise or, some other apparatus. I don't know how far along you are, but ANY insructor worth his "salt" will guide you, and demonstrate the proper form, and procedure when it comes up, especially if it is a requirement for a belt. Good Luck!
Posted by Claude Willis (Member # 2489) on :
Hey "Ali", From what I know, the trick to it is to do it "with the grain", as it is nearly impossible to do it "against the grain". It's like trying to break an egg by squeezing from the top, and bottom, rather than the sides, it is structurally impossible without a vise or, some other apparatus. I don't know how far along you are, but ANY insructor worth his "salt" will guide you, and demonstrate the proper form, and procedure when it comes up, especially if it is a requirement for a belt. Good Luck!
Posted by Professor Hapkido (Member # 2590) on :
Not to worry, Ali Breaking boards is not nearly as hard as it looks. If you are talking a simple break, where holders grab the board on both ends, anyone with decent training should be able to break a single board (12 inches wide and 1 inch thick) with any kick and most any punch ("speed breaks", where the holder only holds one edge with the board hanging down from there, are MUCH harder).
The main thing to keep in mind is not to worry about it. Your instructor is not going to ask you to do anything you can't do. As far as step by step instructions go:
Relax. Take a deep breath. Smile. Then do the skill. Aim the kick or punch about 1 inch behind the board and viola!
If it doesn't break, don't freak. Your hand might sting a bit (your foot won't care) but nothing is broken. Just take another breath, relax, set up again and break it on the second try.
Posted by kickboxer (Member # 1998) on :
aint hard. then again, IM in Muay Thai, and not much hurts anymore.
its all innner strength,focus and teqhnique.
Posted by Jhutch (Member # 1352) on :
My best friend had to break boards, and she always complained when they made her use the plastic ones. She said that real wood is much easier to break b/c it doesn't require as much aim. She said she could only break the plastic ones by hitting precisely on the seam (where the two pieces fit together, like a puzzle).
Posted by co8ra_kai_never_dies (Member # 2649) on :
In reply to your comment Ali on Sato breaking the board!That was not a board but actually a very thick log of wood! and was atleast 6-10 inches thick if not probably more! And unless your "ricky o" and have super human strength theres noway your getting thru that with bare hands .So from a non technical martials point of view i can safely say that it is impossible lol.But Goodluck with the blackbelt and the board breaking!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Breaking boards is not nearly as hard as it looks. If you are talking a simple break, where holders grab the board on both ends, anyone with decent training should be able to break a single board (12 inches wide and 1 inch thick) with any kick and most any punch ("speed breaks", where the holder only holds one edge with the board hanging down from there, are MUCH harder).![[Eek!]](eek.gif)