Breaking in martial arts is the act of breaking a piece of wood or concrete with the foot, hand, elbow, knee, or head. The reason that martial artists break items is to improve the strength of their bones, skin, and muscles. It also acts as a display of their skill level in martial arts, with some practitioners able to break multiple items with one blow.
Size does not matter as it is the amount of force that actually breaks the materials involved. In this video, the tiniest of martial art practitioners is able to break the board, though at first it seems like he might not be able to complete the task.
Fortunately, with the encouragement of his friends, family, and teacher, he is able to gather the strength and courage to complete this difficult task.
This Little Boy Struggled to Break a Board During Karate Class
At first, the little martial arts practitioner struggled to bring enough force to break the board, falling to the floor on his first attempt. Getting up he keeps trying under the tutelage of his teacher who was holding the board. His teammates and family also gave him encouragement, but he failed to achieve his goal of breaking the board.
Not One of His Friends Laughed
For their part, those around him never wavered in their support of him, telling him he could do it. As frustration started to kick in, the young martial artist even got a few tears in his eyes. His teacher kept telling him he could do it, while his friends chanted his name all around him.
After Repeated Attempts, he Finally Broke the Board
His teacher reached up and repositioned him so he could apply the proper amount of force. He gave a kick, but still did not have enough power behind it. He gave one last kick, breaking the board in two. Everybody cheered and surrounded him, congratulating him. At this point he was all smiles.
The Importance of Supporting Others
This video, while showing this little boy’s determination and resolve to never give up, also shows how important it is for teammates and others around you to show their support. By supporting and holding each other up we can empower them to accomplish bigger things. If his friends and family hadn’t continued to give him words of encouragement, he might have quit before he accomplished his goal.
How to Break a Board with Your Foot
While it might seem difficult, if not impossible to break an item with your body, by focusing and using time-honored techniques it is possible. Before attempting to break a board, first wrap it in foam. This allows you to condition and toughen your hands and feet before attempting to break the board.
You can also work on your hand speed and timing by practicing on a punching bag. As you use the bag, slowly increase the speed and strength with which you hit the bag over time. Before attempting any break, get the proper training so that you know the correct positioning.
You should also use a board made out of pine wood with no knots. Make sure that the board is between 3/4- to 1-inch in thickness. Optionally, you can use practice boards, which snap back together, until you get the hang of it. Finally, make sure the board is positioned and secured properly.
Once you are ready to strike, make sure you are the correct distance away, which should leave your hand extending through the board by a few inches once you strike. Aim at the center of the board and use the palm of your hand, or heel of your foot, to hit the board.
Focus on hitting the board quick and with a lot of power. You can also yell as your strike the board to release more power. If done properly, the board should easily break in half. Make sure to maintain your follow-through when striking the board to prevent possible injury.
Watch the Empowering Video
Martial arts allow you to master your mind as well as your body. By following the guidance of an experienced teacher, you can be breaking boards in no time. As proof, watch the video below to see how even the smallest of us can accomplish great things by being confident, and through the encouragement of others.
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