As a lifetime student of the martial arts, I have to admit that I was also caught up in the whole atmosphere and rituals involved in these Budo arts. This included demonstrating the power of my punches, strikes and kicks by breaking boards and bricks. These demonstrations are always a crowd favorite at martial art events.

The fact is breaking props have little to do with actual self-defense ability. I can teach anyone with no martial arts back ground to break a one-inch board in less than five minutes. Is it a test of power as many karate people claim? Not necessarily: It is often more of a test of will than physical power.

If one is psychologically prepared to drive through a set of boards, and has practiced the technique enough times, that person will be able to break the boards. Nevertheless, as the legendary Bruce Lee once said, “Boards don’t hit back.” Power alone is not an accurate gage of martial art of self-defense sill. One never needs to break any inanimate object to become a powerful fighter.

If one practices every day striking the heavy bag with full power from fifteen to thirty minutes, that person will develop sufficient power; however, this is just one skill of many required in the making of a good martial artists and fighter.

This is not to say one should never test themselves by breaking boards or bricks, if that is something you desire or must do for rank advancement. However, breaking boards and bricks alone is not a test of a complete martial artist’s skills.

Joe Truncale is a lifetime student of the martial arts and a 29 year veteren of the Glenview, Illinois police force. He is a full-time police defensive tactics instructor, training officers around the United States. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including Martial Arts Myths: They Myths and Misconceptions Behind Martial Arts and Police Defensive Tactics which is available from CafePress.