How to Karate Chop

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Can your friend chop a piece of wood that you can't? Did you ever imagine yourself chopping a brick in half? Following these steps and you can quickly learn this fun and famous karate move, the karate chop!

Steps

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    Place the wood (or brick) on two stable chopping blocks, with the wood grain running in the same direction as the way your hand is facing to chop. Chopping with the grain makes the wood easier to break. [1]
    • Choose thin, smooth board for chopping, such as slim pine boards.
    • Don't try to chop anything that is too thick or hard (3" maximum is suggested to start). A cinder block may be possible if you have been training for a few weeks and yell very loudly when making contact.
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    This involves either standing up, with legs shoulder-width apart or kneeling with your knees vertical from your shoulders, two feet from the chopping blocks. [2]
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    Prepare for the strike by staying calm . Freaking out will not help since the key to successful striking is the mind, you want to stay as calm as possible before you strike.
    • Imagine your hand going through the wood or brick. If you can't see it happening, chances are it won't happen. This could be bad if it doesn't. Remain positive. Be one with the chopping motion.
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    [3]
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    Do not remove your hand from the chopping blocks immediately––your hand needs to go all the way through to make the break. [4]
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    If you feel very little pain, try to improve your speed. A little extra strength is also helpful for successful karate chopping. [5]
    • The edge and heel of the hand can take quite a lot of force provided they are the parts of your hand that contact with the wood. However, as a learner, it is best to have someone mentor you or, if that is not possible, to bring down your hand gently and with repeated practice, increase the force.
    • If you feel great pain, stop for the day. If any serious damage to your body has occurred, see a doctor immediately.
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    The more you practice, the better your accuracy and ability to hit.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are some basic karate moves?
    Derrek Hofrichter
    Self-Defense Specialist
    Derrek Hofrichter is a Self-Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.
    Derrek Hofrichter
    Self-Defense Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Basic karate moves consist of punches, kicks, and blocks. Beginners typically focus on mastering these fundamental techniques. Punches and kicks serve as offensive maneuvers, while blocks are used to defend against incoming punches and kicks.
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  • Question
    When I chop will I break my hand?
    TheThinkingPanda Zhao
    Community Answer
    No, the human bone is strong, but it will require lots of training. Do not attempt this if you have not been trained to do so.
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  • Question
    Is karate chopping boards going to help me fight in real life?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it allows you to add diversity to your combat skills and is a fast technique to execute in a fight.
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      Tips

      • Try to aim for the point below the board, as people usually develop most of the force in their blow right before it hits.
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      • If you break the wood or brick it will be less painful than if you don't. If you do not break it, the force will be concentrated in your hand and is not transferred to the ground.
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      • Practice some relaxation techniques to calm your mind.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Breaking a board can damage your hands, so consider going to a professional teacher before before you attempt to break boards.
      • Don't use your fingers, you could injure yourself.
      • Train with a makiwara board
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      Warnings

      • Do not chop anything that you obviously are not able to chop. If you are not very strong, do not try chopping boards greater than 3 inches (7.5cm), and less than 1 inch (2.5cm) of brick.
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      • Don't be afraid to seek medical assistance if you think you may have injured yourself
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      • Do not karate chop people for no reason. Although this may sound silly to think about, it could cause someone serious hurt or get you in trouble. Karate is self-defense, not to be used as offense against innocent others!
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      • If you are a beginning martial arts student, NEVER attempt breaks of any kind without supervision. Generally speaking, martial arts are not a "self teaching" opportunity. Not a good time to learn by trial and error- even our teachers have teachers.
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      • Do not attempt thick boards of wood or anything else hard. Professional training is a must for thick and dense boards!
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      Things You'll Need

      • Chopping blocks, (cement/cinder blocks will do fine)
      • Chopping wood (usually pine boards, choose thin boards)
      • Training (try joining a Martial Arts class)
      • Bandages


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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about self-defense, check out our in-depth interview with Derrek Hofrichter .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLdqzRONJY
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLdqzRONJY
      3. ↑ https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/how-snap-wood-your-hand
      4. ↑ https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/how-snap-wood-your-hand
      5. ↑ https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-physics-of-karate

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