I"m breaking wood for the first time and I'm a little nervous.Can someone give any advice?

Question

I'm a white belt going for my yellow belt and I'm taking TAekwondo.

Answer 1

You just have to concentrate and remember what you have learned so far. Remember to punch through the board...like someone else said - visualize and follow through.  I just broke my first board in April and I was really nervous about it. It turned out to be much easier than I had anticipated. I just used my breathing, took my time, made sure I was ready and then concentrated on not breaking the board, but putting my fist through it. It broke no problem! You'll do fine, just relax. :)

Answer 2

That's usually done with a basic kick, such as a front or a side kick.

A few things to remember:

1)  The boards are pretty easy to break.  You're not breaking teakwood or anything hard like that.  As long as the board is held properly and there are no large knots in the wood, a decent kick should break it.

2)  It's more about technique than it is anything else.  Practice the kick you are going to do and make sure you know exactly how to do it.  

3)  You likely don't have hip movement and timing perfected yet, but try to make that the focus of the kick you are assigned to do (I assume you know ahead of time)  

4)  Follow through on the board.  Really aim for an area between you and the board.

5)  Remember that the most difficult part of breaking a board for the first time is getting past the "this is going to be difficult" stage of it.  As you move up in ranks, it will become more of a "OK.  I just have to break the board that way" feeling.  The first time is anxious for everyone, so do not feel too anxious.  If you have the attitude of "this will work," it likely will.

Answer 3

It hurts more to NOT break the wood so make sure you break it the first time.

Answer 4

Just keep going with the strike until the board it broken. Do not aim for the board, but aim for a target behind the board.

Answer 5

It can be nerve racking, but the only way to do it is to DO IT. remember to strike through the target. ALso Kiai when you strike but also a few times before you strike. This may give you that "nutter" feel to just go for it. good luck.

http://markstraining.com Fighting and Training Methods for Unarmed Martial Artists.  

Answer 6

its not so bad trust me. just hit it as hard as you can and it will break and you will not even feel it!

Answer 7

Two things:

1)  It is a lot easier than you think it will be.

2)  It only hurts if you miss.

Just listen to your instructor and don't forget to ki-yap (kihap, gi-yup, yell, however you want to spell it).

Answer 8

dont worry about it for yellow belt is easy. pretty much everyone feels nervous about it the first time because they expect it to be a lot harder. really its pretty easy.

Answer 9

Target your punch about 2 or 3 inches on the other side of the wood.

Focus on that point, not on the wood itself.

When you hit your target, your task will have already been done.

Answer 10

It kinda depends on how you will be hitting the board, punch, kick, elbo?

In any case if you are preped for your test and remember what you have been taught you should be more than fine, just visualise the break and follow through.

Answer 11

if you are not ready you should not be doing it

Answer 12

Don't think about it and just do it. Tighten your fist as hard as possible, all your joints in that arm, and as fast as possible punch. DO NOT STOP, PUNCH ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

Answer 13

Note the grain on the board. It's harder to break wood across the grain than it is with the grain. It can mean the difference between a broken board and a broken hand.

Answer 14

keep ur wrists straight aligned with ur arms, and dont be affraid to hit it.

if u think u might not break it, ur not gonna hit with all ur power and ur gonna stop AT the board, dont aim for the board, aim past it.

assuming ur not gonna break a board intended for experts, just assume ur gonna break it.

other than that, just focus, breath out when u punch and good luck have fun