Article: If you’re scared of injuring yourself when you hit the board, you aren’t going to be successful. Clear your mind and tell yourself that you will break the board. If you believe this, your hand won’t hesitate when it gets close to the board, and your speed shouldn’t slow down, resulting in a clean break. While having strong hands won’t hurt, the key to a successful board break is your speed. You want to hit the board as fast as possible, as this is what causes the board to break. Practice striking over and over again on either a bag or a board wrapped in foam. Increase your speed each time, striking faster and faster. You shouldn’t think of the board as your final target — otherwise, your hand will slow down once it gets close to the board, and the board won’t break. Focus at a point beyond the board and aim for that spot when you strike. This will keep your momentum going as you strike through the board instead of at it. Since you’re aiming beyond the board, make sure your distance is set up to reflect this. Your body shouldn’t be set up to only reach the board, you should be reaching through beyond the board. The kiai that martial artists often emit when striking is not just for show or to startle the opponent.  The contraction of the diaphragm and torso muscles can be used to put more power in your strike. When you yell as you strike, you’re releasing stored energy, giving your strike more strength. Once you make contact with the board, you need to keep your momentum going and finish the strike all the way through. If you stop as soon as you feel the board, you might not end up breaking it completely, and you could injure your hand. Not everyone breaks a board on their first try, so don’t give up. If you’ve conditioned your hand, practiced the right technique, and feel confident that you can break the board, you’ll be able to. Try not to feel discouraged by failed attempts and keep trying.

What is a summary?
Release all fears and commit to breaking the board. Focus on speed, not power. Aim at a point beyond the board. Yell as you strike to release more energy. Maintain your follow-through. Keep trying if you don’t immediately break the board.