Breaking Boards v's hitting pads?

Question

How many of you practicing martial artists have ever broken boards? (Either wooden or plastic).

I think it serves a purpose, i know how to focus power, i know how to toughen up hand and feet parts and know that if i ever strike a RL opponent outside the dojang, i have a fairly good idea i can deliver power.

If you have practised martial arts but never hit boards.....why not? (not a question for ju-jitsu or judo styles, obviously)

Or do all kungfu, karate, kickboxing styles break boards?

Just thought i'd ask, to start a debate?

chris

Answer 1

Good question !!!

I prefer hitting pads,never been a fan of hitting solid objects ,but can understand where your coming from re: focus but I was always taught that the hard parts hit soft parts and soft parts hit hard parts is best ,ie: knuckles/fingers for stomach etc,and palm heel for chin/jaw etc.

Best wishes :)***

Answer 2

Do you see boxers breaking boards, NO!!!

Yet most boxers have some of the most powerful punches on the planet, they only use pads and bags.

You use pads for accuracy, speed and combos.  If you want to develop power, hit the heavy bag (with gloves and wraps on).

When I kick someone I send them flying and I have never kicked a board in my life.  It is all about good technique, when I kick or punch I hit with every kg of my body weight.  

It comes down to good coaching and diligent practise, hitting boards serves no purpose in this apart from giving you arthritis in your hands later in life!

Answer 3

Breaking boards and toughening hands and feet are a waste. I can say that after breaking boards and concrete for many years. Probably broke at least 1,000 times in the first 15-20 years of training. Yes I'm that old started karate in 1967 at 13 years old. Though like most people that breaking boards had something to do with being able to fight effectively.

After many years I realized that I was wasting my time. My hands and feet are not hard like they used to be but I hit harder now at age 54 than I ever did before.  I know that most of you will not agree with me but you are likely to if you train long enough. The ability to hit hard does not mean that you are a better fighter. The ability to defeat an opponent/attacker have little to do with hitting hard.  Think not, have you even been riding a bike fast at night and had a bug hit you in the eye?   not much power but it will really ruin your ride. Get my point?  Accuracy and skill is more important than raw power. The person with the best skills is more likely to win over someone that has lesser skills but more power.

Answer 4

hitting boards sharpens the mind and builds a sound technique you will learn how to focus the power of the mind and at the same time toughen your body up

Answer 5

I've used both as both have a place in practice.

Boards as you say help focus power, toughen hands and build confidence.

After you hit it, its spent. Pads however can be hit again and again and moved around.

You certainly feel the difference between a person who has toughened their hands and feet by stiking solid objects and someone who has only worked on pads.

Answer 6

iv'e done both and in my opinion breaking boards is a complete waste of time and effort and is only for posing.pads are a much better option if used correctly.the good stand up styles dont break boards only the styles that need to make themselves look good by posing break boards.

BOARDS DONT FIGHT BACK!

Answer 7

personally i feel hitting ,breaking boards serve no usefull function. your hands/feet are sensitive appendages which dont take kindly to any kind of severe shock. i have friends[ex kyokushinkai] etc and are now suffering from this kind of abuse.yes you can treat injured areas with arneka etc,long term you will suffer. pads are the superior/efficient option.we train semi contact and find we can gradually upgrade power. control is very important,not pulling punches adjusting body range.good luck

Answer 8

Personally i have never tried to break a board. i have always used pads of varying "Hardness" and heavy bags etc. I asked a friend of mine who has being doing karate (shotokan I think ) for a long long time and he said simply this: he has never been attacked by a board but he has been attacked with a base ball bat and he broke that in half !!!! he never used board breaking in his training so i don't think in really matters what you use as long as the right form is used you will have all the power you need when you need it

Answer 9

Most people who train in martial arts do it for self defense purposes. Keeping themselves safe is often more the goal than hurting someone else. (since it's not a sport bout)

Being aware of whats going on, guarded, and out of the space and path of danger is a much better route to take than toughening your body up to absorb the impact of a beating.

What if your attacker has a steel pipe? Are you really that tough?