Is it misleading for martial artists to only break very brittle types of wood?

Answer 1

I think so.

Answer 2

I think it's more misleading to "break" rebreakable boards. we use #1 or #2 grade white pine, but we also use camfer slabs (concrete) in some of our breaking techniques.

often, we'll break two or more boards (or camfer slabs)at once, so while they may not be strong as single boards, when they're stacked together, the thickness of the boards more than makes for the "brittleness" you say they have.

it's about focus and follow through of PROPER technique, if you do it improperly, you can have a particularly bad injury (a boxers fracture being the least injury, and a major fracture (like requiring plates and screws in an arm or a leg from broken bones as the worst)

Answer 3

yes it is misleading and..

yes i'm sure some martial artists do that..

it's a gross misrepresentation..

however, it's not difficult at all to break a 1inch thick piece of pine board.. honestly, you can take a lay-person and put a board in front of them, give them a visualization of them breaking thru the board or draw an attacker's face on the board and they can easily break it.. we have a 52 yr old woman who's about 4'11'' and about 102 and she busted right thru the board, as she imagined it was the face of a mugger..

and then again with a lack of concentration, you might not even be able to break thru a 1inch thick pine board..

but we've found that being able to break thru a board gives the student that extra jolt of confidence, if they can do this what else that seems impossible can they conquer... and working with battered and assaulted women, you need to find a way to restore that confidence, that self esteem, or else the remain victims of their own insecurities and fears...

so for martial artists to cheapen themselves by breaking brittle boards is just a case of laziness.. plain and simple..

lol.. love the mr. miagi quote..!!!!

~*smilez*~

Answer 4

It really isn't about how many Pieces of wood you can break but about self confidence. And the reason MA started breaking boards is to make their bone structure stronger by putting the stress on their bones. So if a MA breaks weaker boards then they are kind of defeating the purpose by doubting themselves not being able to break the stronger board and not training your body in the best way.

Answer 5

Breaking is really only a training tool to develop technique, focus, and follow-through. It has the added effect of strengthening your bones and muscles, but is also dangerous if not properly executed.

Breaking will not make you more likely to win in a real life self-defense situation, or even in a simple sparring situation, unless you have also practiced heavily in those areas as well.

"Boards don't hit back." Bruce Lee, "Enter the Dragon"

Answer 6

Yes. We use white pine, as do many others. Some schools use a very brittle wood, I don't know the name. We only use that for pee wees.

Answer 7

there are different kinds of boards of varying thickness. Been to plenty of demonstrations where people don't break them the first time. The demonstration is only to show technique. If you don't use correct technique, you won't break the board.

Answer 8

ma or not isn't it misleading to trick anybody into believing something false?
hahaha white pine?a soft wood,you should be able to break that with your di.k.

Answer 9

"Hey Mr. Miagi, can you break a board like that?"

"Don't know. Never been attacked by tree."

Answer 10

only if they say it represents your abilities to defend yourself.

Answer 11

What like plywood or something? Yes, that would be B.S.!