KickChick Posted March 19, 2002 Share Posted March 19, 2002 Only downfall to breaking "bricks" is that you don't have kindling for the fireplace afterwards!! But once you are used to breaking wooden boards the next progression is to other materials such as bricks. At our school we usually use patio blocks 8x16x2". They are made of cement with a small amount of reinforcement aggregate. These blocks most often come in gray and red. They can be flat on both sides or the bottom can have small gripping ridges. Patio blocks are good for their consistency in difficulty, although a wet or frozen block is harder to break. One patio block equals about five strong boards. Patio blocks are about 80 cents a piece ...much cheaper than wood, but then again you don't get kindling with blocks after they're broken!. You should try for two or three blocks with spacers as your goal for a beginner. Careful of the newer patio blocks. There are blocks that look similar to standard patio blocks but are several times stronger. There is more filler consisting of large granite chips. If you drop one on the floor and it doesn't break than the odds are you have one of these newer reinforced patio blocks. Nope.... haven't done that yet! Right now working on my speed breaks. (tossing board up into air and either kick or punch to break) ... anybody have tips on that??? _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan BlackBelt TKD(ITF) CardioKickboxing/Fitness Inst. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-03-20 07:50 ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBN Doug Posted March 20, 2002 Share Posted March 20, 2002 1 patio block = 5 boards with spacers? or 1 patio block = 5 boards without spacers? Kuk Sool Won - 4th danEvil triumphs when good men do nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KickChick Posted March 20, 2002 Share Posted March 20, 2002 ... with spacers. In case those of you aren't aware of why spacers are used in certain breaks this is why. The spacers spread the boards apart, resulting in two important consequences which help in performing your break: 1. There is a phenomena where, if separated, the first board will drop down with impact into the second board, actually dispersing force from the first board downward for use against the next board. And so on... 2. The use of spacers lessens the density of the boards, lowering the amount of impact force required per cubic inch of volume, to effect the break. So using spacers makes for an easier break. If you can break two boards held by a someone, you should be able to break 5 boards stacked, separated by 3/8-1/2" spacers .... and yes one patio block too, _________________ KarateForums Sensei 1st dan BlackBelt TKD(ITF) CardioKickboxing/Fitness Inst. [ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-03-20 07:47 ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaiFightsMS Posted March 20, 2002 Share Posted March 20, 2002 We used to do the cement patio blocks. Then started focusing more on ambitexterous work. Cement is much more intimidating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdanblack Posted April 7, 2002 Share Posted April 7, 2002 I did a 5 board turning kick held by people so i should be able to do a brick but the thing that worries me is the texture. Are bricks alot harder on the feet than wood, especially the instep of the foot. It didn't exactly feel great on wood anyways. I've put my instep through 5 boards, are you that thick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerstyle18 Posted April 8, 2002 Share Posted April 8, 2002 all I can say is "boards don't hit back!" When two tigers fight, one dies and the other is mortally wounded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaiFightsMS Posted April 9, 2002 Share Posted April 9, 2002 So does that mean you have never experienced the joy of your fistst succesfull break? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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