Board breaking

[setboy]

Did your school at that time ever break boards as testing requirements?

no. but my school does not make you break boards for testing

[cathal]

I would rather do it a week or so before the testing, that way they don't have a class the night before that could leave them doubting if they don't break right away.

Good idea, especially if they wind up hurting themselves.

[bushido_man96]

I would rather do it a week or so before the testing, that way they don't have a class the night before that could leave them doubting if they don't break right away.

Good idea, especially if they wind up hurting themselves.

Yeah, and it gives them time to build their confidence, too.

[patusai]

Did your school at that time ever break boards as testing requirements?

We only had Green brown and black belts. Board breaking as part of the test was done at brown and black.

[Aodhan]

We break boards for rank testing from recommended BB on up. It is not required for colored belts, although a lot of schools require it on their own.

We generally break (rebreakable boards of varying colors/ease) at least once a week for a few minutes in class. For new/young students, they break white boards (Pretty easy, you can just press down hard and it "breaks"), all the way up to black rebreakable (Equivalent to about 2, 2 1/2 one inch pine boards) for the older, more advanced ranks.

I agree, if you require board breaks for testing, and you don't practice it, then you are doing a disservice to your students. It would be the same as saying "Well, you have to do your form, so we'll practice it once or twice the week before the test."

Aodhan

[cathal]

Rebreakable boards? You've got to tell me about those my friend.

[Aodhan]

Rebreakable boards? You've got to tell me about those my friend.

They are plastic, with a "seam" down the middle that has little nubs sticking out out that mesh together. I think they are harder to break than real boards, as they force you to strike the center zone. On a regular board, even if you hit off center you can still break if your holders are good.

You can find the ones we use at Century ($69.99 a board retail, not sure wholesale), and Asian World has a version that I'm not fond of.

Aodhan

[bushido_man96]

I have worked with ATA's rebeakable boards. They are ok to work with, but for a testing I prefer wood. Also, you get a little leeway with wood, whereas on the rebreakables, you have to hit pretty much dead center. They are great for targeting, though.

I do have a big, heavy, rubberized rebreakable, and it is a BEAR to break on. It may be like the ones you were describing, Aodhan, that are from Century or AWMA. It says Break-Up on it. Really tough one.

[Zorbasan]

if breaking boards is part of the test, then yes, you whould do it before hand.

if not then dont do it.

i would have serperate classes for board breaking as there would be people that do not need to do it and it would be wasting their time to have it as part of the regular class.

[bushido_man96]

if breaking boards is part of the test, then yes, you whould do it before hand.

if not then dont do it.

i would have serperate classes for board breaking as there would be people that do not need to do it and it would be wasting their time to have it as part of the regular class.

I think it is a good thing to have a board breaking class. However, I don't see why everyone could not attend. It is a good exercise for everyone to practice, in my opinion. Even low rank students could perform one board breaks with techniques like the palm heel strike and the front kick.