Breaking tests are often used within taekwon-do (and other martial arts) to test or demonstrate the power and effectiveness of various techniques.
The breaking test is a good way to practice concentration, strength, focus, speed, and accuracy on objects other than people, without injuring yourself or others.
Your body as a weapon
It is important to know that an as perfect as possible technique is necessary, because you can easily sustain injuries, sometimes even permanent damage. By breaking objects, you become aware that your own body is a powerful weapon. This will make you realize that during training you must be careful with your training partner.
Theoretical background
To successfully break a (or any other material), you must create a pressure moment greater than the critical time limit that applies to that material. This pressure moment occurs at the moment you try to break the board, which is fixed at two points. If you execute your breaking technique correctly, you hit the board in the middle, which leads to an even distribution of force on the two (fixed) parts.
Both ends of the board provide a counterforce equal to half of the explosive force applied to the board. When the force reaches the board, the top of the board is in a state of compression and the bottom is fully in tension. This produces a torsion around the axis in the middle of the board. If this torsion is large enough, the board will break.
Besides pressure, other elements such as strength, thrust, and speed are important aspects. The thicker the board, the harder it will be to break. That is why multiple smaller/thinner boards are used instead of one thick one. The pressure that arises between the individual boards is then more efficient in buildup and pressure distribution in the breaking process than when it has to be distributed over a large surface.
Assuming that every taekwon-do practitioner is confronted with performing a breaking test during demonstrations, exams, or competitions, this part must be carefully prepared.
Training program for preparation
As with the other main components in taekwon-do, an extensive training program should also form the basis for performing breaking tests. Adapted training in the form of punching shields, punching bags, and kicking shields ensures the right timing and the hardening of the body parts that come into contact with the material.
With the right mental attitude, combined with correct technique, it is possible to perform heavy breaking tests without any problems or injuries.
Breaking tests provide insight into one’s often underestimated capabilities. They also stimulate perseverance, self-discipline, and self-confidence.
Reusable breaking boards for training
Although it is of course great to perform breaking techniques with wooden boards, roof tiles, or gypsum concrete, this quickly becomes an expensive activity and is also not very environmentally friendly.
For this reason, plastic reusable boards have been developed that can usually be broken dozens of times again with the same tension.
View in webshop:
You can of course find this type of plastic breaking boards on Fight2Win.nl in the Training >> Breaking boards collection.
