at the board due to the principle of “reaction
force” (according to Newtonian physics).
Opposite Foot Take-Off
Th is method can create polar opposites in results,
depending on who is executing it. Beginners
will often-accidently take off with the same
foot as they intend to break with, as they are
focused on the break and the foot that will be
breaking rather than thinking about how they
are going to get up to the board. Th e results are
usually poor. On the other hand, trained and
experienced breakers will use one foot to drive
the body upward and the opposite foot to break..
Th e benefi t is that there is no backward motion
created by a leg being swung downwards at the
apex. In addition, greater reach can be achieved if
the breaker can perform stride splits in the air. In
order to be successful, the breaker must train to
generate power with one foot and to coordinate
and develop snapping power with the other.Th e other crucial piece to a fl ying high break
is the approach. Th is is how the breaker turns
forward momentum to upward movement. For
the two foot take-off , one or two plyometric
jumps leading into the fi nal take off are usually
best, whereas for the other two methods, a
running start is recommended. Th e running
approach should only be far enough for the
breaker to gain enough momentum to help
them drive their bodies upward to create an
almost straight up-straight down movement
but not so fast as to create an arc which
covers distance instead of creating height.Master Terry Wisniewski is a 7th-degree black
belt in ITF Tae Kwon Do, founder of Tien Lung
Tae Kwon Do. He is a full-time professional Tae
Kwon Do instructor with three schools. He has
trained world champions in
patterns, self-defense and
power breaking.taekwondotimes.com / January 2018 13