Martial arts board,ice, hard objects breaking?

Question

I notice whenever martial artists do hard-object breaking, whether concrete blocks, tiles, or ice, they put something in between individual pieces to so that there will be a space between each "layer" Why cant they just do one on top of the other directly?

Answer 1

Well sometimes they do, they are two different breaks. On top directly requires chi, or internal breathing, similar to breaking glass bottles. Now with a space inbetween learns you how to follow through properly. Like with this spinning kick on this link. Imagine if it was a weak spin kick with no follow through? The last piece would not break without the correct tragectory, hence this guy on the link (my instructor, John Watson) when he hits the boards, all break. Imagine if it was a jaw, it would follow right through like a hammer and leave his jaw looking like a type writer lol. Enjoy http://www.k*k-sool-won-liverpool.co.uk/...

Answer 2

The air gap allows the top piece to bend and break before the force hits the next "layer". With no air gap, it is similar to breaking one solid piece of material.

Answer 3

The answer according to physics is:

Like the others said it will be more like one big block. But physic reality is different like having 5 pine boards of one inch wouldn't equals 5 inches pine block. The internal structure is weaker in 5 different objects than one single block.

The superficial answer is:

It's much easier and more spectacular. The same person might never be able to break 5 inches ice by itself but with space he can, so it's more spectacular. And since the average joe can't tell the difference he would be in awe for something that might not deserve that much value.

Answer 4

they put the spacers in between the hard objects cause if they didnt, they would just be hitting a very big solid object. Which would probably end up breaking their hand/foot/elbow/head/etc.