Abstract: With regard to the irrational parameter design of destressing boreholes in the coal seam of working face with rockburst proneness, the pressure relief mechanism and reasonable parameter design were studied by theoretical analysis and field measurement. By means of analyzing the complete stress-strain curve of specimens tested in lab, the drillhole pressure relief mechanism of "low strength-low density" for rockburst prevention was obtained. Destressing boreholes can change coal's physical and mechanical properties, and decrease coal's ultimate strength and density to reduce its rockburst proneness, increase its strain rate and form a certain range of protective area of energy absorption in coal seam. Under the condition of unconsidering the depth of distressing boreholes, the formula for calculating the reasonable layout parameters of destressing boreholes was established based on the effective strain rate, which was verified to be quite effective by field application in many coal mines with rockburst proneness and borehole stress monitoring.