Breaking Boards and Bricks

[Hardball]

How many of you break or broke in the past? What type of wood do you use? What size? How thick? Is it true that pine is best for breaking? Do you find breaking builds your confidence? Any thoughts you would like to share would be appreciated. How did you graduate from boards to bricks?

[kwai chang pain]

I've trained at a couple of different schools and have done some breaking.
White pine was what we always used.

I think board breaking can be a good confidence builder for beginners in particular. Been told that the power needed to break one of those boards is the same needed to break a human rib.

Obviously board breaking is a "static" thing and they don't hit back. I think it can be beneficial because it takes power, technique, and confidence to
do a break in front of a crowd and your peers.

Let the arguing begin!!

[back kick]

We breaks boards for every test one hand break and one with the foot .. we use 1" pine 12x12 boards ....

[GranFire]

we use '#3 Pine' 1x12....the length/width depends on age, adults break 11 or 12 inch pieces, Blackbelts 2 or 3 inches, several pieces at once.

The brick thing is a demo thing. Spruce is easier to break.

We use re-breakable plastic boards for tests (it's a requirement from redbelt on)

I prefer wood over plastic...the latter you have to be much more precise in your technique.

it is a way to see flaws in the delivery of your strikes, especially the plastic will not cooperate when it's not right. And usually the only way you can really use full power and appreciate the impact of it.

and if you think the boards are defenseless...you are wrong....especially plastic bites back....so while you train to pull your kicks back...breaking you better leave it out till your holders release it....

[Huntley]

Yup, #3 pine but practice with re-breakables - much less expensive.

About bricks, you can think of the patio style as 3 10x12" 3/4' boards. That's what I break: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOUAo4pQyqQ you can go for the longer scalloped style if you wish, they are much easier to break. I always use spacers with bricks, I use carpenter pencils - but I've been told that steel nuts are much better because the pencils absorb so much of the force that it's like adding an extra brick.

Be creative and have fun!