How To Do Martial Arts Breaking Techniques

Many martial arts such as Taekwondo and Kyokushin Karate practice breaking techniques in order to test a student's power and accuracy. For Japanese martial arts, breaking techniques are known as Tameshiwari. In Korean martial arts, they are known as Gyeok-pa or Kyeok-pa.

Breaking tests and demonstrations utilize kicks, punches, elbow strikes and other striking techniques in order to break wooden boards, concrete blocks, etc. There are a variety of different breaking techniques and combinations but they usually involve speed (i.e. breaking a large number of boards in a certain amount of time) and/or power (i.e. breaking a number of concrete blocks in a single blow).

Section supported by Books on Kicking Techniques

Martial Arts Breaking Tips & Instructions

• Martial arts students need to aim for a spot that is PAST the board.
• In order to break a wooden board, martial arts students need to kick/punch THROUGH the board. They shouldn't stop or slow down when they have hit the board (or it will hurt more and they will not break the board). Kicks and punches should continue at full power through the board towards the target "spot that is PAST the board" (see above).
• Practice with plastic rebreakable boards. Much cheaper than buying tons of wooden boards.

References

1. Taekwondo Animals, Tips for Better Taekwondo Breaking, http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-breaking.asp, Added - 12/17/13