Makiwara

[47Ronin]

Note- Do not hurt your self. This is for trained people.

Makiwara (punching board)-

The punching board is a piece of equipment unique to Kara-te and is especially essential in toughening the hands and giving training in hand techniques. It consists merely of a straight board with a portion at the top fitted for punching. The board itself is made from a four by four seven or eight feet long. The top four feet are beveled down so that teh very top is about half an inch thick. In Japan the striking surface of the punching board has traditionally consisted of a bundle of straw with a one-half inch straw rope tightly wound around it at the top part of the board for about one foot. Recently, a piece of spinge rubber two inches thick, four inches wide, and twelve inches long, covered with canvas, has come into wide use.

How to make and install-

1. Dig a hole in the ground three or four feet deep, plant the unbeveled end of the boardin it so that the top reaches a point near the top of your chest, and pack with small and large stones, as shown in the picture below. Concrete will serve the purpose even better. After planting, the top of the board should move five or six inches with out exerting to much pressure. It is better to have the board too flexible than not flexible enough.
2. Attach the straw and straw rope or canvas covered sponge (with strong, fine twine) near the top of the board so that the center of the striking surface comes to a height even with the solar plexus.

Purpose-

1. A punching board is an exellent way to get the feel of Kara-te techniques applied to an actual target, rather than into empty air. It gives practice in focusing, muscular control, breath control, etc..
2. Use of the punching board develops stronger techniques.
3. It is a convenient way to toughen the skin of knuckles and other striking points. Because it is difficult to master the technique of focus, i.e., concentration of strength at the moment of impact, without practicing on a punching board, many Kara-te experts feel that the techniques of those who don't use one are bound to lack power.

How to use-

The punching board is used mainly for practicing hand techniques, although foot techniques also are sometimes practiced on it. In all cases, the point of focus is about two inches on the other side of the board when it is stationary. At the point of impact, sharply let out a short breath, breathing in while withdrawing. This gives good training in breath control.

** When I get home tonight I will post more on different strikes for Makiwara training and so on**

Diagram- ( to big for this post, I'll put it in the next post)

[47Ronin]

The picture seems to be to big no matter how many times I scaled it down. I'll see if Yoda can make it smaller or something.
(Sorry)

[Yukimushu]

Makiwara boards are very useful peices of equipment which can help condition your hands... no matter what warlike art you study.

Here's an example of what they look like. Although they dont need to be a long peice of wood, it can simply be a peice attached to the wall (aslong as ur prepared for the board not to give :) )

http://www.karatedo.co.jp/shureido/tanren/makiwara.gif


Makiwara boards are very good for building calluses on the knuckles :)

Im going to be purchasing some of the straw used on the board; which I will attach to my wing chun wooden dummy... hopefully build up some good calluses on my knuckles :)

[Scaramouch]

There are mixed views on the use of makiwara. See Rob Redmonds site:

http://www.24fightingchickens.com/101/28_makiwara.html

He believes its actually detrimental for building power. A makiwara will probably build up good calluses on your knuckles though, if you want them that is.

A sparring shield or heavy bag is the modern solution, but if you like hitting bits of wood go for it.

[Saz]

Originally posted by Scaramouch
if you like hitting bits of wood go for it.

We're Karateka... hitting bits of wood is what we do! :D



Good post Ronin ;)

[Scaramouch]

Yes, some Shotokan karateka do still hit bits of wood - but probably not most, its no longer part of the official syllabus.

As Bruce said "boards don't fight back".

IMO shields, focus mitts or heavy bags are much more akin to training to hit a person with power, which, I'm presuming is what most karateka are training to do. But as I said before, feel free to make some kindling if you must.

[Saz]

Bruce Lee said a lot of things...

Originally posted by Scaramouch
Yes, some Shotokan karateka do still hit bits of wood - but probably not most, its no longer part of the official syllabus.


I don't so Shotokan, I do kyokushinkai, and breaking is very much a part of our syllabus. I'm sure the same is true for a good few other karate styles too.

[Cain]

As Bruce said "boards don't fight back".

Who said they have to :D

|Cain|

[YODA]

Here you go 47Ronin - your pic...

[incubus]

I do Kungfu and utilise the makiwara too. It good for conditioning

[Killerbee]

I have a makiwara and a heavy bag, I never use the makiwara, I think its Yoda-edit not very useful end Yoda-edit and completely agree with Redmonds article on it.

[surgingshark]

A makiwara will probably build up good calluses on your knuckles though, if you want them that is.

Why not? It numbs the pain gotten from punching...

[Dark Blade]

Originally posted by Scaramouch
As Bruce said "boards don't fight back".



Neither do wooden dummies, but he used those for hours.
And that was in a movie anyway!

:p

[47Ronin]

Hey, thanks alot Yoda. What would we do with out you!


Originally posted by Killerbee
I have a makiwara and a heavy bag, I never use the makiwara, I think its Yoda-edit not very useful end Yoda-edit and completely agree with Redmonds article on it.

Sorry you feel that way but you obviously are not using it properly. Makiwara is an essential part of Kara-te strength conditioning.

I'll write up various striking ways you can use the Makiwara for in a few minutes so you have various exercises.


as bruce said, boards dont hit back

They aren't supposed to. Besides why wait for some one to hit you when you can destroy them :D

Be back in a few to right up striking exercises.

(Again, thanks Yoda!)

[47Ronin]

1. Reverse punch.

This is one of the most basic techniques of Kara-te (or any other style ;) ) and must be practiced constantly, both by beginners as well as experts. Unlike the striking techniques, which almost invariably depend on the use of a snapping motion, focusing the punch is not easy to learn merely by practicing it into the empty air. In preparing to punch the board, stand directly in front of it in a forward stance at such a distance that the fist extends about two inches beyond the board when the arm is fully extended. In punching, rotate the hips fully back, but with out shifting balance, and extend opposite hand forward; then perform the reverse punch at the board. Take care to strike correctly with the four striking points of the fore fist. There will be a tendency for the hand to glance at first, but constant practice will correct this. In punching, if anything the hips should be lowered toward the target, rather than raised. About one hundred punches with each hand is reasonable for one practice session. FOR BEGINNERS, start with a small small number, best to start with 25 on each hand then work your way up.

You don't want to hurt yourself so that you can not continue your training.

[marais]

Originally posted by Dark Blade
Neither do wooden dummies, but he used those for hours.
And that was in a movie anyway!

:p

good one blade, why havn't i ever thaught of that one.finally we can get these buggers back that say boardbreaking in useless:woo:

[Dirk Dagger]

How about those shaolin monks? They hit the cement wall not less than 100 times with their fists and covered only with a thin newspaper to absorb the impact.

Walls don't hit back right?

:D

[47Ronin]

Thin? It is actually a big phone book. Besides, you can do that-ONCE you are worked up to that. You don't want to hurt yourself :)

[marais]

i hate walls. and any man that says they dont hit back .........is lying.

they always seem to put a wall right where i want to put my head.

but makiwara training truly is great.it gives you that edge that the normal man in the street dont have(softies).

[47Ronin]

Hmmm, should my insomnia lead me to write another striking technique :p

[marais]

i do everything on my board.from blocks to strikes to kicks on the shins.
so there is no need for more techniques,instead try to figure out how to make a wall mounted makiwara without having to drill craters into your gym wall.
i have been masterminding this thing for two days now,but it is just not coming to me.
see if you can figure somethin out pleeez

[47Ronin]

Do not use wall mounted Makiwara's. I received one as a gift and it is stupid.

Apparently I do need to list techniques if people who study Kara-te see no purpose for the Makiwara.

[marais]

that is true,but how can a person not see a use for such an effective tool.
they must be vegitarians.
but by all means go ahead and list the techniques.there is always a place to learn something.
at a later point could you please enlighten me to the reason you say the wall mount is stupid?

[47Ronin]

The Makiwara is supposed to give around six inches for strength in following through. The wall mount just sits there and doesnt budge at all and is a little bit padded. You might as well tape a towel to the wall itself and punch that instead of wasting your time on the other one.

[Cain]

but how can a person not see a use for such an effective tool. they must be vegitarians.

What does me being vegetarian got to do with anything :rolleyes:

|Cain|

[47Ronin]

Hmm, really.

[47Ronin]

that is true,but how can a person not see a use for such an effective tool.
they must be vegitarians.
but by all means go ahead and list the techniques.there is always a place to learn something.
at a later point could you please enlighten me to the reason you say the wall mount is stupid?

http://www.karatedo.co.jp/shureido/english/e_tanren/e_tan.html

I didn't see that type of Makiwara until my Sensei put one up in our new Dojo. It works, very good.
The pic is the bottom right one, very very very effective. The one I received was just a thing of foam and wood that you screw into something.

[donger]

I've got to ask. What does a M. Board provide that a good heavy bag doesn't? I also wonder about the possible damage to the hand. I've been in the MA for a better part of a decade and have always avoided focused hand conditioning. I'm open to hearing what makes this thing a worthwhile endeavor.

[47Ronin]

A Makiwara is a stationary tool that you use to punch at full capacity. It gives a little to let your punches get looser and builds up your strength. A heavy bag swings all around the place and you cant put your full punching capacity into it as you could a Makiwara. The makiwara is a stronger surface and conditions your knuckles more as to a heavy bag is softer. Those are the views I can think of (for now).

[ketong71]

The Makiwara is supposed to give around six inches for strength in following through. The wall mount just sits there and doesnt budge at all and is a little bit padded. You might as well tape a towel to the wall itself and punch that instead of wasting your time on the other one.

Hi,

Attached is a PDF of someone who sent me a wall-mounted Makiwara. It's not like the Shureido Wall Mount, where you only have the Pad mounted. This example has the whole Makiwara Board and the pad mounted on the wall. So, instead of digging a whole, you mount it on the wall to get the same effect. I haven't had time to set this up at home, but it sounds sensible. What do you think?

Regards.

Ketong71

[okinawagojuryu]

Please ck out an article I put together a while ago , you can find the link on my site .

[47Ronin]

http://www.karatedo.co.jp/shureido/english/e_tanren/e_tan.html

Look under the first picture under "Makiwara". That is a stand that is able to be picked up and moved. It is easier than drilling holes into a wall/floor and what not. I'll check out you article now.

[ketong71]

Hi 47Ronin,

My old Dojo in Manila used to have 4 of those. They were great, but after time, the metal mounts that holds the board came off the wooden bases. My instructor ended up installing the metal mounts on the wooden floor. But, that too came off. Drilling holes might be a pain at first, but could be worth it in the long run. If you still want the "platform" makiwara as shown in Shureido's website and you live in the US, then go to http://www.karateshorinkan.com/store/p000125.htm.

Regards,

Ketong71

http://www.karatedo.co.jp/shureido/english/e_tanren/e_tan.html

Look under the first picture under "Makiwara". That is a stand that is able to be picked up and moved. It is easier than drilling holes into a wall/floor and what not. I'll check out you article now.

[47Ronin]

I didn't know that about the platform Makiwara's. Thanks for the info and that site is pretty good for the US.

[ketong71]

You're welcome! Anytime!

I didn't know that about the platform Makiwara's. Thanks for the info and that site is pretty good for the US.

Regards,

Ketong71

[Rhineville]

how about punching down into a bucket of sand?
or pebbles?

[47Ronin]

It works well, sand is very good but messy so do it outside or have a towel under the bucket. I use a bucket of coins now, seems to work great. Also a sand bag with small rocks hanging from something works well too. But this stuff is more for conditioning, not striking power like the Makiwara ;)

[Knight_Errant]

A heavy bag swings all around the place and you cant put your full punching capacity into it as you could a Makiwara.
I don't think this is true at all.
If you get a decent, i.e. HEAVY heavy bag, it doesn't move much, and you can always get a mate to hold it for you. Heavy bag is generally safer, more flexible and generally better than a makiwara is.

[animefreak88]

anyone know if those clapper makiwaras with the adjustable springs are any good? i'm thinking about getting one of those. and in all fairness, when bruce lee said "boards don't fight back", he was referring to wood breaking techniques done at demonstrations and so forth.