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How to Use Karate to Break a Board. If you're wondering if you're strong and fast enough
to break a board, you might be surprised. You will need 12-in. long, 3/4-in. thick pine
boards Partner Pencils 2 cinder blocks (optional) Visualization techniques (optional) and plastic
training board (optional). Attempting to break boards is potentially dangerous and may result
in injury. Try it at your own risk and use caution, especially if you are not formally
trained. Step 1. Use a board with grain that runs the width of the board instead of the
length. It will take practice to gain the strength, speed, and accuracy you'll need.
A plastic training board can help you before you try to break an actual board. Step 2.
Have someone hold the wood lengthwise at either end with their arms extended and feet apart,
ready to take the force of the blow. If you don't have a partner, set the board between
two cinder blocks. Step 3. Stand with your dominant foot forward, hand balled into a
fist. Visualize hitting an imaginary point a few inches behind the center of the board
so you will follow through instead of stopping at the board. Step 4. Practice making several
blows without actually hitting the board to warm up. Step 5. Pull back your arm and tighten
your core. Then strike through the board with the heel of your hand or the side of your
fist. Step 6. Stack two or more boards separated by pencils and break them using the same technique.
Step 7. Learn to break the board with your foot. Execute a side kick by standing sideways,
kicking your leg straight out, and landing your heel in the center of the board. Did
you know Karate champion Leif Becker broke 415 boards in 1 minute on David Letterman's
television show in 2004. He's since broken his own record with 487 boards in a single
minute.