A protection device for a holder of a martial arts board/target provides protection from direct impact and/or from the force/shock that is transmitted rearward to the hand and wrists of the holder of the board/target. The device receives the board/target holder's fingers, and a slanted floor inside the device urges the fingers into a generally curled or other inwardly-slanted position, and urges the rest of the hand, the wrist, and forearm into ergonomic and safer positions. The device is preferably made of material(s) in a particular hardness range that protects the user's fingers but that also prevents injury to the striker who is hitting/kicking the board/target. There are preferably no flanges or stops that limit placement of the device to particular places on the board, but rather the holder determines and controls the placement.