How to Karate Chop

Co-authored by Derrek Hofrichter

Last Updated: May 12, 2024

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

Download Article

1
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]
X
Research source}
- 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.
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]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
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.
^{[3]
X
Research source}
Do not remove your hand from the chopping blocks immediately––your hand needs to go all the way through to make the break.^{[4]
X
Research source}
8
If you don't chop it, check on how you feel. If you feel very little pain, try to improve your speed. A little extra strength is also helpful for successful karate chopping.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- 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.
The more you practice, the better your accuracy and ability to hit.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 18 Helpful 60
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 19 Helpful 39

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

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.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
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.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Practice some relaxation techniques to calm your mind.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

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

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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.

Thanks
Helpful 49 Not Helpful 6
Don't be afraid to seek medical assistance if you think you may have injured yourself

Thanks
Helpful 51 Not Helpful 9
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!

Thanks
Helpful 51 Not Helpful 13
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.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Do not attempt thick boards of wood or anything else hard. Professional training is a must for thick and dense boards!

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0