How to Break a Board in Taekwondo With a Palm Heel Strike

Board-breaking in taekwondo is a way to test your force without hurting anyone. A combination of speed and technique that you learn from a qualified instructor is the key to conjuring up the chi to go through the board instead of bouncing off it.

Instructions

    • 1

      Practice repetitively a palm heel strike to better your aim, speed and technique. You don't want to miss when you are trying to break a board because you could hurt yourself or the holders.

    • 2

      Allow the holders to get set into position with a tight grip on the board. They should be in front stances with their arms locked because you don't want your holders to let the board move back when you land your palm heel strike.

    • 3

      Focus past the board. You don't want to pull back early or your hand will bounce off the board rather than going through it.

    • 4

      Target the middle of the board so that the force will move outward, cracking the board apart.

    • 5

      Break the board with the grain of the wood.

    • 6

      Pull your fingers down and back (watch that thumb) as you strike with just the heel of your palm for maximum force concentration.