Breaking Tests: Boards, Use & Tips for buying

Breaking tests are a part of training or exams in some martial arts that have kicking and punching techniques. Their purpose is to improve the striking technique of the trainees. They also act as a motivational boost, obviously demonstrating to martial artists what they are capable of.

In the following article, we present some background information about fracture test boards. For example, where they are used, what differences there are and what models are on the market.

First, let’s answer a series of common questions about break testing and break boards in martial arts.

Which sports	Breaking tests are used in numerous martial arts. However, they are present in sports that involve kicks, hand edge and fist punches. These include, in particular, the various styles of karate, tae kwon do as well as kung fu. In martial arts, where throwing and leverage techniques dominate, break tests are not used.
Advantages of break tests	Breaking tests help martial artists to perfect their technique. In addition, fighters can use a break test to determine how well their respective techniques translate into reality. Furthermore, they serve as helpful motivation. The fighters experience a special kind of happiness when they succeed in a breaking test, which proves to them how much hard and regular training pays off.
What to hit with	Depending on the duration of training, trainees use either their fist, hand edge, palm, head as well as their foot as striking tools. Beginners who have only been training a martial art for a year usually perform a breaking test with the outer edge of their hand. On the one hand, this ensures their success, and on the other hand, this striking technique lowers the risk of injury. Advanced martial artists who have been practicing a martial art for at least three to five years use their foot or head.
Rules for breaking tests	Some sports require a successfully completed break test to earn a certain belt grade. Others teach them on weekends. Ultimately, no rule exists for the break tests. The practice of breaking tests depends on the sport and the particular school.
Wooden boards or stones	Beginners and advanced students perform break tests mainly on wooden boards. Bricks require perfect striking technique and for this reason are reserved more for dan holders and masters. Students could seriously injure themselves while performing a breaking test on bricks.

Successfully punching through a board or brick requires several conditions that martial artists must meet. In the first place is extensive and intensive preparation.

This includes, among other things, the will to share a board. In addition, it can be quite helpful to practice this process in your mind. All goals that martial artists set for themselves first begin in their minds before they turn them into reality. It’s the same with breaking. The will and the belief in oneself must be present.

Another aspect that is part of successfully passing a breaking test is courage. Individuals who are afraid of a board or fear getting hurt will not succeed. However, the adage: “practice makes perfect” applies to a breaking test. People who have never practiced and extensively practiced the required striking techniques before will not be able to break through a board. It can help to start with very thin boards and to increase slowly.

Among the stroke techniques that definitely bring success are the strokes with the outer edge of the hand and foot. They also reduce the risk of injury many times over. With a fist punch, on the other hand, the risk of injury is higher, as fighter-athletes tend to use their entire fist. However, while this technique requires the entire use of the body, only the first two knuckles are used when separating the board.

Motivated martial artists also prepare for a break test at home. They can excellently practice their punching power and the associated hardening in their room. This involves hitting the wall with the outer edge of the hand. Thanks to this approach, the practitioners quickly learn with which part of the edge of the hand they need to strike the blow. They feel that they are not using their fingers when hitting the edge of the hand. This is the easiest way to train the punching power.

Furthermore, martial artists can also train their muscle strength. It is also necessary for successful breaking. To do this, it is enough to regularly do push-ups, squats or abdominal raises. Although the entire body is used in a breaking test, the aforementioned muscles of the respective body parts play a special main role.

The boards that are used are made of different types of wood. Also, the thickness of the boards does not have the same size throughout. There are also reusable break boards. These variants are boards that have a certain predetermined breaking point in the middle. They are made of hard plastic and can be pushed together again after a break. They also contain PU foam on both sides. This fulfills an important protective function and protects the ankles and joints of the martial artists.

A certain amount of punching power is also required to punch through a board. For the light boards, fighters need 23 kilograms worth of strength. For the medium boards, a strength of 62 kilograms is sufficient. The strong boards, on the other hand, require a strength worth 114 kilograms.

Besides the reusable break boards, there are also disposable break boards, which are made of plastic. The material is recycled plastic. Those who want to use real wood, which can be used only once, can resort to spruce boards. They are available in four different thicknesses. These are composed of 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 25 mm. Therefore, they are ideal for martial arts training from beginner to advanced. The thin boards are even used in children’s training and act as valuable motivation for the little junior fighters.

Update: 2023-05-28 / Affiliate Links / Bilder von der Amazon Product Advertising API