Well I have done it!! My first lot of breaks. I did them last night at training when the instructor suddenly found out that I was required to do breaks at the next coming grading (May 27th), rather than at my black belt grading in November.
I had no warning before turning up at training so it was good that I had taken all your advice to heart over the last few weeks. I wasn’t great but I managed reasonably for a first attempt. I was breaking single 1 inch boards. I am ashamed to say that it took three attempts to break with a snap kick, (I thought this would be the easiest so I suppose I was a little complacent), I broke with my second attempt at a side kick and my first attempt with an axe kick. I was successful on my second attempt with an elbow strike. Even though I wasn’t perfect I now know that I can do these techniques and hopefully this will help with the breaks at the actual grading. I will work on approaching the boards with confidence and executing the techniques without any doubt that the board will just split.
Unfortunately I was not very successful with my punch. This was the last technique that I tried and was trying out my mental toughness. So I was absolutely amazed when my fist smashed into the board and the board just didn’t break. Then I realized that my fist was incredibly painful. I know I struck the board with the first two knuckles because they are purple and green today and I am typing very gingerly. My instructor said he will try to get permission for me to do a different hand technique at the grading (9 days away). I just hope I will be able to bend my fingers to form a fist by then!! A little detour on the road to success.
Just thought I would post this to say thanks for your help. I’m definitely not there yet, but at least I’m working on it!
Cheers,
ged
my first breaks
Moderator: Available
my first breaks
Sounds Terrific!!! We are all very happy for you!!!
YEP! Those knuckle breaks can be tough, and I know very well myself the feeling of the knuckles just crashing and nothing happening. Remember lots of ice on the knuckles and some light compression will help it heal.
The knuckles will heal and very soon you will try it again "just to see yourself do it" and you will without a doubt.
Great stuff!! The best to you in your testing and advancements.
BB
YEP! Those knuckle breaks can be tough, and I know very well myself the feeling of the knuckles just crashing and nothing happening. Remember lots of ice on the knuckles and some light compression will help it heal.
The knuckles will heal and very soon you will try it again "just to see yourself do it" and you will without a doubt.
Great stuff!! The best to you in your testing and advancements.
BB
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Allen M.
my first breaks
Congratulations ged! First couple of days ice then heat. Green knuckles? What kind of blood do you have? 
I think ALL karateka should go through a board-breaking phase, at least once in their MA training. Going through boards helps give one confidence that if he/she had to hit someone he would be able to put some snap into it.
Very very important you baby that hurt hand to the max and don't hit anything with it on the 27th. Some people can damage themselves for life if they don't give injuries more time then they think they need to in order to heal. 9 days is simply NOT enough time for your hand to heal, and it may be quite a bit sorer and swollen the following day. (I'd better check the date on your post as it may already be the following day or later). I used to take asprin whenever I got hurt in karate, anything from a simple bruise to a broken bone. You really should see a doctor and get an x-ray. don't mess around with your body; mother nature has a way of getting even.
Even with another hand technique, use the other hand because the trauma of the shock of hitting the board, even though it is with another part of the hand, will travel to the knuckles and cause pain and even disrupt the healing process and damage the injury even more.
I'm surprised and disapointed in your instructor for not teaching youse guys how to break before B-Day. How many others broke boards when you did?
I don't mean to be a stick in the mud and preach, ged.
You DID use the ball of your foot for the snap-kick break (It was a front snap-kick, right?)? A trick on these is to know the angle and direction of your foot at the intended point of impact on the board's surface and adjust the angle of the wood accordingly.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
I think ALL karateka should go through a board-breaking phase, at least once in their MA training. Going through boards helps give one confidence that if he/she had to hit someone he would be able to put some snap into it.
Very very important you baby that hurt hand to the max and don't hit anything with it on the 27th. Some people can damage themselves for life if they don't give injuries more time then they think they need to in order to heal. 9 days is simply NOT enough time for your hand to heal, and it may be quite a bit sorer and swollen the following day. (I'd better check the date on your post as it may already be the following day or later). I used to take asprin whenever I got hurt in karate, anything from a simple bruise to a broken bone. You really should see a doctor and get an x-ray. don't mess around with your body; mother nature has a way of getting even.
Even with another hand technique, use the other hand because the trauma of the shock of hitting the board, even though it is with another part of the hand, will travel to the knuckles and cause pain and even disrupt the healing process and damage the injury even more.
I'm surprised and disapointed in your instructor for not teaching youse guys how to break before B-Day. How many others broke boards when you did?
I don't mean to be a stick in the mud and preach, ged.
You DID use the ball of your foot for the snap-kick break (It was a front snap-kick, right?)? A trick on these is to know the angle and direction of your foot at the intended point of impact on the board's surface and adjust the angle of the wood accordingly.
------------------
Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
