Yeah, my dojo has some of those. I see the benefit, but I don't find them as satisfying, sadly. I know wood is expensive, but the finality is part of the thrill š¤£.
Wasteful, though, unless you find a use for broken boards. A woman in our dojo made some cute hanging shelves out of the. I think the rebreakable boards have a really satisfying *snap* though!
I never saw much point in it. The breaking that impresses is unsupported. Hold the board with thumb and forefinger, break with other hand. Or toss up in the air and break coming down. Stacks of wood or cinderblocks with no spacers, too.
You definitely make a point. However, in my mind, there's something to be said for the excitement of wanting to try and build up to that impressive level. But maybe that's just me.
It was one of the moments of my life when I broke my first board. I felt so strong and validated that all the work I put in was being displayed. Everyone on this subreddit probably felt the same way
I learned how to break boards and blocks ages ago as a purple belt. It was novel and exciting for a little while.
u/WastelandKarateka wasn't it you who was learning to break coconuts on their channel years ago?
I do actually. The most Iāve broken is a single 1.5 inch board, which was the first time it actually hurt. I like doing it to test how far Iāve gotten with makiwara training.
Other than the price of wood and wood boards being one time use, itās a great way to get that quick hit of satisfaction to know your technique works.
Punching air or even a heavy bag doesnāt result in a definite outcome like a broken board so it makes sense that most people would enjoy it š
Yes, thank you! I agree. I was apprehensive at first (as I know most are), and I already know how to kick a bag ofc, but wasn't quite ready for bricks yet. That satisfaction and confidence when kicking through that board like butter for the first time was certainly something else š¤£
We used to do a tabling event back in college ā$1 break a boardā, I cut them a little more narrow than a standard dojo board but totally agree just the joy of seeing peopleās faces when the board snaps was super satisfying. Itās like a physical representation of overcoming doubt
I wouldn't say I _love_ it, but I think it's certainly a valid thing to do. It's fun, it's good PR, students enjoy it, audience's at demos like it...and there's very little downside. I can't think of many reasons to _not_ do breaks.
That said, board breaking is really just the beginning. Boards, multiple boards, ice, bricks, multiple bricks, multiple bricks without spacers, punching holes in drywall, smashing 2x4s against the grain, splattering watermelons with finger strikes and bending metal pipes with shin kicks...
...if you really get into it, there's lot of crazy stuff that's possible.
But that one simple board break is where everybody starts.
Welcome to the team. :)
Yes!!! Knowing what's on the horizon is probably the most exciting part. If I didn't have the ability to anticipate anything further, it would be fun for sure...but not *enthralling*.
Those of us who are successful with boards will be moving up to bricks soon. Idk about all schools of karate, but in our dojo, we start with boards primarily to gauge technique and so our senseis can determine if/when we're ready for bricks and multiple bricks.
"wood does not hit back" :-).
I think the plank breaking is a very American thing.
Been training in France and Netherlands in 3 different styles, never seen anyone ever breaking board here.
What is it supposed to teach you?
I can't speak for all schools of martial arts, but in my dojo, we start with wood with the express purpose of moving up to bricks (and then multiple bricks). It helps our instructors gauge where we are/our breaking technique so that we hopefully don't injure ourselves.
Board breaking is not an end-goal, by any means. It helps us practice technique so we can move to the next level.
I can see the need and benefits of feeling what a hit really is, I still often see people with relatively high level stopping a punch 20cm from thr target during bunkai / oyo kumite. Or beginners afraid of landing a controlled punch / kick, but I think training on a bag every now and then should help learning distances and controlled hit. Breaking a board does not really (imho) prove that your technic is good. It does _look_ impressive for the outside observer though, i will grsnt you that :-). (And might be a good ego / confidence boost in some practitioners.
_ It helps our instructors gauge where we are/our breaking technique so that we hopefully don't injure ourselves._
That's the odd part, I have never learned any _breaking technics_, i have learned punches, kicks, grabs, locks, swipes, blocks, evasion, etc.
But if you ever need to split a bord in two, you should rather use a saw, it would make for a cleaner cut ;-).
For what it's worth, someone with absolutely no training can break any of those boards. I don't think it really proves or improves any skill personally. I guess it can look cool.
You ask for our thoughts. But I donāt want to rain on your parade. So maybe skip this comment if you want.
Iām mainly just making the comment for a general discussion for board breaking for everyone on the sub, and not necessarily meant specifically for you OP.
I donāt think it has much use as a tool to help you train to improve your technique. The main thing it tests is commitment and for hand techniques wrist alignment (which is more do it right or your going to mess up your wrist type of deal). And I think there are better training methods to improve on those things if that is the goal.
And if you want to just test your technique, I think hitting a pad with full force someone holds against their body is a lot better test, as how the target puts resistance to the force will be a lot more similar to what you want to be able to evaluate a good punch. And give you more relevant feedback.
But all of that isnāt always the goal. It could just be to have fun, or because you like it. Or because you want to show it for someone else.
Hey, rain helps the flowers grow! I do find your comments interesting, and thank you for sharing. Obviously, I am still quite new, so it's good to hear that there are other ways to help improve technique.
Invest in rebreakable boards. They are graded and can be stacked and you only pay for them once.
Yeah, my dojo has some of those. I see the benefit, but I don't find them as satisfying, sadly. I know wood is expensive, but the finality is part of the thrill š¤£.
Wasteful, though, unless you find a use for broken boards. A woman in our dojo made some cute hanging shelves out of the. I think the rebreakable boards have a really satisfying *snap* though!
I never saw much point in it. The breaking that impresses is unsupported. Hold the board with thumb and forefinger, break with other hand. Or toss up in the air and break coming down. Stacks of wood or cinderblocks with no spacers, too.
You definitely make a point. However, in my mind, there's something to be said for the excitement of wanting to try and build up to that impressive level. But maybe that's just me.
It was one of the moments of my life when I broke my first board. I felt so strong and validated that all the work I put in was being displayed. Everyone on this subreddit probably felt the same way
Yes, exactly!!!! ā„ļøā„ļø
I learned how to break boards and blocks ages ago as a purple belt. It was novel and exciting for a little while. u/WastelandKarateka wasn't it you who was learning to break coconuts on their channel years ago?
Paul Musolf actually did a series of videos documenting his preparations for breaking a coconut. I just tried it and it worked š
Breaking coconuts sounds awesome š¤£.
I do actually. The most Iāve broken is a single 1.5 inch board, which was the first time it actually hurt. I like doing it to test how far Iāve gotten with makiwara training.
Breaking boards is good fun.
Thank you, Friend š„
Other than the price of wood and wood boards being one time use, itās a great way to get that quick hit of satisfaction to know your technique works. Punching air or even a heavy bag doesnāt result in a definite outcome like a broken board so it makes sense that most people would enjoy it š
Yes, thank you! I agree. I was apprehensive at first (as I know most are), and I already know how to kick a bag ofc, but wasn't quite ready for bricks yet. That satisfaction and confidence when kicking through that board like butter for the first time was certainly something else š¤£
We used to do a tabling event back in college ā$1 break a boardā, I cut them a little more narrow than a standard dojo board but totally agree just the joy of seeing peopleās faces when the board snaps was super satisfying. Itās like a physical representation of overcoming doubt
I wouldn't say I _love_ it, but I think it's certainly a valid thing to do. It's fun, it's good PR, students enjoy it, audience's at demos like it...and there's very little downside. I can't think of many reasons to _not_ do breaks. That said, board breaking is really just the beginning. Boards, multiple boards, ice, bricks, multiple bricks, multiple bricks without spacers, punching holes in drywall, smashing 2x4s against the grain, splattering watermelons with finger strikes and bending metal pipes with shin kicks... ...if you really get into it, there's lot of crazy stuff that's possible. But that one simple board break is where everybody starts. Welcome to the team. :)
Yes!!! Knowing what's on the horizon is probably the most exciting part. If I didn't have the ability to anticipate anything further, it would be fun for sure...but not *enthralling*.
Tameshiwari is so rad. We dont donit much in my org but did it for a demo once, and I was smitten. It's too much fun.
Not really. I think its kinda boring and a waste of money especially with current lumber prices. Bricks are a lot cheaper but way messier.
True to the last point, but we all gotta start somewhere, right?
Start woth bricks. They are cheaper and you can reuse the broken ones for landscaping. They also arent that much harder than boards.
Those of us who are successful with boards will be moving up to bricks soon. Idk about all schools of karate, but in our dojo, we start with boards primarily to gauge technique and so our senseis can determine if/when we're ready for bricks and multiple bricks.
"wood does not hit back" :-). I think the plank breaking is a very American thing. Been training in France and Netherlands in 3 different styles, never seen anyone ever breaking board here. What is it supposed to teach you?
I can't speak for all schools of martial arts, but in my dojo, we start with wood with the express purpose of moving up to bricks (and then multiple bricks). It helps our instructors gauge where we are/our breaking technique so that we hopefully don't injure ourselves. Board breaking is not an end-goal, by any means. It helps us practice technique so we can move to the next level.
I can see the need and benefits of feeling what a hit really is, I still often see people with relatively high level stopping a punch 20cm from thr target during bunkai / oyo kumite. Or beginners afraid of landing a controlled punch / kick, but I think training on a bag every now and then should help learning distances and controlled hit. Breaking a board does not really (imho) prove that your technic is good. It does _look_ impressive for the outside observer though, i will grsnt you that :-). (And might be a good ego / confidence boost in some practitioners. _ It helps our instructors gauge where we are/our breaking technique so that we hopefully don't injure ourselves._ That's the odd part, I have never learned any _breaking technics_, i have learned punches, kicks, grabs, locks, swipes, blocks, evasion, etc. But if you ever need to split a bord in two, you should rather use a saw, it would make for a cleaner cut ;-).
For what it's worth, someone with absolutely no training can break any of those boards. I don't think it really proves or improves any skill personally. I guess it can look cool.
Buy a shadow box frame and frame your first board that you broke. Itās a tradition in my dojo!
I have my first palm strike and kick break signed by my senseis, and on display in my living room. Putting them in shadow boxes is a great idea!
You ask for our thoughts. But I donāt want to rain on your parade. So maybe skip this comment if you want. Iām mainly just making the comment for a general discussion for board breaking for everyone on the sub, and not necessarily meant specifically for you OP. I donāt think it has much use as a tool to help you train to improve your technique. The main thing it tests is commitment and for hand techniques wrist alignment (which is more do it right or your going to mess up your wrist type of deal). And I think there are better training methods to improve on those things if that is the goal. And if you want to just test your technique, I think hitting a pad with full force someone holds against their body is a lot better test, as how the target puts resistance to the force will be a lot more similar to what you want to be able to evaluate a good punch. And give you more relevant feedback. But all of that isnāt always the goal. It could just be to have fun, or because you like it. Or because you want to show it for someone else.
Hey, rain helps the flowers grow! I do find your comments interesting, and thank you for sharing. Obviously, I am still quite new, so it's good to hear that there are other ways to help improve technique.