How to Use Karate to Break a Board

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If you're wondering if you're strong and fast enough to break a board, you might be surprised.

Warning
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: Get the right wood
Use a board with grain that runs the width of the board instead of the length.

Tip
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: Get a partner
Have someone hold the wood lengthwise at either end with their arms extended and feet apart, ready to take the force of the blow.

Tip
If you don't have a partner, set the board between two cinder blocks.

Step 3: Position yourself
Stand with your dominant foot forward, hand balled into a fist.

Tip
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: Warm up
Practice making several blows without actually hitting the board to warm up.

Step 5: Strike
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 multiple boards
Stack two or more boards separated by pencils and break them using the same technique.

Step 7: Side kick it
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.