Question 1

Is the team composition (150 players per team) rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that in Bo-taoshi, each team of 150 players is split into two groups of 75 each, with one group attacking and the other defending simultaneously. However, the official verdict clarifies this is not how it works; instead, at the start, teams are divided into two separate contingents of 75 each, advancing in a turn-based system to simulate real battlefield dynamics.

Question 2

Is the attacking roles rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often think that the Scrum unit is just a group of players pushing together without strategy, but in fact, they are supposed to coordinate their pushes like a well-timed wave to create space for the Tukko to break through or displace defenders and expose the pole. They misunderstand the need for strategic teamwork within this unit rather than seeing it as a simple mass push.

Question 3

Is the match duration rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that if a match doesn't end after 2 minutes due to neither team reaching the angle-judgment decision, it's simply extended for another 2 minutes until one side tilts their opponent's pole. But actually, the rule states the game continues in an angle-judgment decision format beyond the initial 2-minute period if no winner is declared within that time frame.

Question 4

Is the section 7: violations & penalties rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that Bo-taoshi's physicality means it's completely unregulated, leading them to argue about what exactly constitutes "excessively dangerous" conduct. In reality, the confusion arises because they misinterpret the rule’s intent to mean any contact is off-limits, when in fact, only actions that go beyond the sport's inherent full-body contact are prohibited.

Question 5

Is the section 3: playing area rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that Bo-taoshi is played in a specially designed indoor arena when they first hear about it, but the official rule clearly states it's played on outdoor grounds at NDA’s Yokosuka campus, with poles for each team placed at opposite ends of the field. This discrepancy leads to misunderstandings and arguments about where exactly the game takes place.

Question 6

Is the tournament format rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that all cadet classes compete against each other in a single-elimination bracket right from the start, but actually, the event committee decides the initial bracket structure for each festival year, creating different rounds and seeding based on their strategic planning to ensure fairness and competitiveness across all levels of NDA Kiryu-sai.

Question 7

Is the the pole rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that defenders can simply hang onto the pole like a ladder, which they believe makes it easier for their team to score by knocking over the pole. However, the actual rule states that only one rider per team can be atop the pole at any time, and defenders must use their hands to grab the pole, not just hang from it like a climbing apparatus.

Question 8

Is the section 8: safety considerations rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that the high player density in Bo-taoshi means it's inherently unsafe, leading them to argue for more stringent safety measures or even a ban on the sport. However, the NDA manages these risks through rigorous cadet conditioning and proper training protocols, which is actually what mitigates the misunderstanding about its inherent danger.

Question 9

Is the defending roles rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that only pole holders are allowed to physically support the pole against a tilt, forgetting that defensive circle players can also brace at the base of the pole, adding their weight for stability too. This leads to arguments about who exactly is permitted to contribute to maintaining balance in case of a toppling attempt.

Question 10

Is the match start rule in Bo-taoshi commonly misunderstood?

Accepted Answer

People often assume that there's a phase delay where attackers start before defenders do, which leads them to believe they have time to prepare for the attack. But in reality, the rule states both teams begin at the same instant with no such delay, so defenders must immediately take up their positions as soon as the signal is given.

National Defense Academy

National Defense Academy

Team Composition (150 players per team)

Attacking Roles

Match Duration

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Section 3: Playing Area

Tournament Format

The Pole

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Defending Roles

Match Start