Breaking is the destruction of various materials such as wood, bricks, concrete and ice using Tae Kwon Do techniques. The purpose of breaking is to test the students technique for power and focus. Breaking is included in nearly all Tae Kwon Do demonstrations and is an exciting part of the art. The practice of breaking is also an excellent way to develop the students confidence.

Initially the student will be trained to perform their basic kicks and hand techniques to break a training board held firmly by at least two people. The training board is essentially two pieces of moulded plastic that lock together in the middle to form a board one foot square (the same size as the traditional pine board). The benefit of this of course is that the board can be broken hundreds of times before it needs replacing.

In order to break the board the technique has to executed with sufficient power but the key to a successful break is the focus of that power to the correct part of the board i.e. the middle. As training progresses the techniques used become more advanced but other types of break are also introduced such as air breaks. If the board is supported solidly then the technique has to be strong and accurate but to break a board only lightly supported requires true power. Power is not just strength but strength combined with speed.

Initially the student will progress to breaking boards held by only one person and then onto breaks where the board is held lightly from the top, single handed. This known as an air break as the board is not supported, only held in the air.

Advanced students may progress on to mid-air breaks where the board is thrown into the air and broken in-flight.