Bo-taoshi (pole bring-down) is an extremely rugged sport played by cadets at Japan’s National Defense Academy. The game consists of two teams of 150 players whose objective is gaining and keeping control of a single large pole. Teams are split into two groups: 75 attackers and 75 defenders. If the attacking team is able to lower the pole to a 30-degree angle from the ground, it is victorious.

Despite the huge teams, there are only five positions in the game. “Pole support” holds the pole upright.“Interference” are the front line attackers who break the barrier. “Scrum disablers” are the guys defending the pole who have to stop people from literally running on top of them like “World War Z.”

Oh, and the guy you see at the top of the pole who’s throwing down Lu Kang bicycle kicks onto everyone’s head? Yeah, his position is called “ninja.” Awesome, right?

Matt McCusker

Matt is a writer and sometimes comedian and mixed-martial artist. He graduated from Drexel University in 2009 with a degree in international business. He enjoys the company of his wife and two Akitas in his humble South Jersey abode.

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