Board breaking

[atalaya]

i've heard that breaking a board is akin to breaking someone's rib in difficulty. what are the dimensions of a board to make that a fact?

[Rick_72]

I personally don't like any kind of "body hardening" training. All your really doing is deadening the nerve endings in your body, which can cause artheritis later on in life (among other problems).

I don't know if that falls in the same category as board breaking, but I'm guessing that it would have the same effect over time.

I wouldn't allow my children to go to a school that focused on a lot of breaking.

The dojo we attend doesn't do any breaking.

[cathal]

I personally don't like any kind of "body hardening" training. All your really doing is deadening the nerve endings in your body, which can cause artheritis later on in life (among other problems).

I don't know if that falls in the same category as board breaking, but I'm guessing that it would have the same effect over time.

I wouldn't allow my children to go to a school that focused on a lot of breaking.

The dojo we attend doesn't do any breaking.

Nerve damage is something you might see over a long period of repetitious breaking. You aren't doing to see any deadening/damage over short periods of training. Plus, it's going to depend on both the hand & the board breaking it.

[bushido_man96]

I personally don't like any kind of "body hardening" training. All your really doing is deadening the nerve endings in your body, which can cause artheritis later on in life (among other problems).

I don't know if that falls in the same category as board breaking, but I'm guessing that it would have the same effect over time.

I wouldn't allow my children to go to a school that focused on a lot of breaking.

The dojo we attend doesn't do any breaking.

My school has board breaking requirements for the brown belt levels and above, which are just below black. Usually a hand and a foot technique. Adult males break two boards at each station. Women do one, until black belt, where they do 2 on a side kick.

[Rick_72]

Nerve damage is something you might see over a long period of repetitious breaking. You aren't doing to see any deadening/damage over short periods of training. Plus, it's going to depend on both the hand & the board breaking it.

Well I plan on training in martial arts for a very long time....my oldest son is 10, and my youngest 6....they'll also be involved for a very long time. I'm very protective (maybe to a fault) over their long term health, maybe because I've done so many things to jeoporadize mine over the years haha.

I have to say though, over my years I've punched many a hard object, and have some strange looking knuckles (that sometimes ache when I train) to show for it.

I really don't see any a purpose in punching wood to be honest. Break enough boards and it becomes expensive, I can beat the snot out of a floor bag all day long and don't have to replace it for years. Plus boards don't counter, or make you all that tired.

I say spar against rotating opponents, its more fun, tiring, and gauge's your skill better.

[bushido_man96]

Board breaking is used in our system as a demonstration of technical execution and display of power. Like I mentioned, it isn't over-emphasized, but it does have some value.

[Jiffy]

I agree. I think breaking does have some value as a demonstration, or as a metaphore, but not as regular practise.

[Zorbasan]

the boards in question are usually 30cm by 30cm (or for the americans out there, 1 square foot)

board breaking can teaching target as well, esp in TKD where we did board breaking with some of the more spectacular kicks (jumping spin kicks etc)

[Jiffy]

By the way, thickness is usually about 19mm

[bushido_man96]

By the way, thickness is usually about 19mm

Yep, 12" x 12" x 1". I have broken some 12" x 12" x 2", that was a nice jarring sensation. But they broke!

My best board break right now is a back leg round kick--I can get 4 boards on it. I want to try 5!

As for one of those breaks that makes people cringe, I like to do a front leg round kick with the top of the foot. Usually one board, no more than two.

How about y'all?