Board breaking, who uses it?

[Szczepankiewicz]

For those of you who may remember Tape Lord, this is for you.


RYANHALL IS CORRECT!



Spanky

[falcon3624]

Originally posted by eXcessiveForce

They suck, they are harder than real boards, the break slow so it usually stings a lot more than real boards. and you have to be extremely acurate.

I thought the whole point of breaking was to demonstrate power, technique, and accuracy? Seems like the plastic would be better.

Who the hell started thinking about breaking boards with our hands and stuff anyhow? I mean it really doesn't serve that much of a purpose. I guess if someone runs after you with a board trying to beat you down you could just break it, but then again now they just have two boards to beat you with.

Sounds like a loose loose situation.

[eXcessiveForce]

you have got it falcon.


But hitting a 12x12 board is one thing.


Hitting dead center of the plastic board every time is still challenging. At least if you are off an inch a real board will still break. Also the slow break lets a lot of power flow back into your foot because you have to keep pushing to make sure the board gives and actually separates rather than just partially.


I have hit boards and made them break into several pieces and even several boards do not hurt as much as a plastic board. But they say it's something you have to do, so you do it.

[falcon3624]

Well, I don't know about all that. I do BJJ and the only thing we break is bones when we have the occasional accident.

[osopardo]

Originally posted by falcon3624


I thought the whole point of breaking was to demonstrate power, technique, and accuracy? ...

I mean it really doesn't serve that much of a purpose...

Not so much to demonstrate those qualities, but primarily to develop them. And something else, self confidence. There's nothing like the look of triumph, revelation, wonderment and confidence on the face of small child or some older, not-so- "robust"- lady after they break their first board. It's something you can throw back in their face later - "If you can break a board then you can do another ten knuckle push-ups!"

And for those big bruisers standing by the wall, watching and thinking this is just "kid's stuff" we have techniques that require accuracy and speed and proper technique more than power. Ever try speed breaking a board that offers no resistance as it dangles from the thumb and forefinger of the holder? Sure the board goes flying acroos the room - unbroken.

BTW- Some of us sometimes take all those broken boards and make birdhouses and little wood trucks and boats and other toys and donate them to charities. Ain't much, but it's something.

[falcon3624]

Don't you think the look would be better if they beat another person instead of a peice of lumber? I mean I can understand for children and all but just seems silly for adults to punch pieces of lumber for fun.

I prefer to test my skills against others and not spend so much time hitting inanimate objects.

[falcon3624]

Originally posted by falcon3624
I broke a board just last night. I was coming out of the grocery store and noticed it standing over in the dark looking at me. As I proceeded to my car I noticed it was following me. I didn't know what to do so I turned around and asked the board what it was doing following me.........it said nothing, just stood there.......I knew that it was either me or the board so I let out a loud "kiaaaa" and threw a picture perfect knife hand chop.

Next thing I knew the confrontation was over. The board lay there broken and beaten and I walked away without a scratch. Thank God for all those long hours spent learning how to defend myself against a board. If it would not have been for the training I surely would have been in trouble.

See, I only break when attacked........

[Damian Mavis]

Hmmm well at my degree tests I've been required to demonstrate proper technique by breaking boards. As an example I broke 5 inches of pine with the knife and the ridge of my hand, I've seen men 100 pounds heavier than me fail to break 3 inches..... how is a little guy like me able to out power a muscle bound giant? With proper technique which is what the board breaking demonstrates.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[eXcessiveForce]

speed helps a lot too

[Damian Mavis]

Uh... that's kinda what proper technique means heh... I didn't mean LOOKS like proper technique but in slow mo haha. Proper technique incorporates all the elements that add together to generate the most power possible, speed is definately included.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[osopardo]

Originally posted by falcon3624
Don't you think the look would be better if they beat another person instead of a peice of lumber?

It's a practice tool, just like the heavy bag or speed bag or focus mitt. Using that kind of force against a person (like a training partner) could be, oh I dont know... not the most intelligent thing one could do. There's full contact and then there's extreme force. Board breaking is a safe way of experiencing that, to prepare yourself for the encounter against the animate opponent.

[eXcessiveForce]

I have always kept the two separate. Speed, technique, power.


Technique to me is proper positioning and execution, such as hand, foot position, hip movement, getting the weight into the technique and such.


Speed is speed.


I can do a technique properly and still do it slowly and yet with power.

Or I could do something with speed and technique but no power.

it's all semantics.

But it's a lot better to use speed, power and

[osopardo]

ahem.. right that's what i meant to say...excessive, not extreme, excessive.

[eXcessiveForce]

I like speed breaks, We throw the boards in the air and break them.


oh and the speed technique thing was in response to DM

[Thai Bri]

I think that board breaking is a distraction from effective fight training. The act itself is too "false". Too stationary. And the power required would not have the same kind of energy as that to knock a guy out.