Robert Davis

Opinionated Bastards

Sports EN ↓ 25 episodes

The Bunkai Bastards random ramblings on the state of practical Karate and self defence in the UK

Author

Robert Davis

Category

Sports

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Context 09.07.2026

No clues

Everyone's a 10th Dan now! 11.06.2026

Kitchen chat about how you now seem to fall over a high grade on every street corner these days. Being old and confused there will be some topic drift... ...but that's what makes in interesting. Comes with the usual language warnings.

Is 3K's now just become 3B's 15.05.2026

It may be bunkai but is it "practical"? 3 old guys moaning (and occasionally swearing) about karate related stuff.

Karate Then v Karate Now 24.04.2026

Three old guys from the kitchen discuss the nostalgia for what karate was "back in the day" and how that compares to what it is now. Warning: Possibly offensive language and swearing

Vince Morris- Rules of Combat and bullshit bunkai 24.02.2024

The Bastards talk to Vince Morris about the release of his new and expanded edition of "The Rules of Combat" and about the state of practical karate. May contain offensive language, and opinions.

What makes a good Uke...and what doesn't? 02.04.2022

After a while of hiding away the bastards return with their musings on what makes a good Uke.

Should you change kata - form to function or function to form? 10.01.2022

The Bastards discuss the notion of updating kata to bring it in line with your "bunkai" or to avoid the "bad habits" it encourages.

Can anyone be a black belt? 16.11.2021

The bastards discuss the question "can anyone be a black belt?" and what does it mean. As usual, there may be some offensive (to some) language.

Building character 11.07.2021

The bastards visit the idea that building character is the same as building "good" character.

Is bunkai really the answer? 14.06.2021

Is bunkai really the answer? It very much depends on what the question is, where you are starting from and where you are going to.

My lineage is... 25.05.2021

The bastards (for some reason) discuss the relevance of lineage in your day to day training and if and how it adds any validity to your training.

Training to fail, is that what you are doing? 09.05.2021

The bastards discuss a common flaw the general approach many partner training drills.

"If you can't say anything nice..." 22.04.2021

A short discussion on the culture of letting bullshit (of all kinds) ride in the name of respect.

Cross Training 13.04.2021

A quick chat on the need (or not) to cross train other arts to complete your skills.

Baggage - Part 3 27.02.2021

Part 3 of the changes discussion, the first two look at what we've dropped from our classical training, both culturally and training methodology. This one isn't really "baggage" related but we must have replaced stuff we've dropped, this is our attempt to tell you what it is.

Baggage - Part 2 05.02.2021

Follow up from the cultural baggage chat, this time discussing "traditional" training practices that we have dropped from our training and why.

Baggage - Part 1 14.01.2021

The Bastards muse on the cultural baggage attached to Western karate, what they've kept, what they've dropped and the places in between.

Places we've been, Part 2 09.12.2020

The Bastards and special guest Andy Allen discuss some of their favourite instructors and seminar experiences... ...and almost no negativity (almost :-) )

Places we've been, Part 1 09.12.2020

The Bastards and special guest Andy Allen discuss some of their favourite instructors and seminar experiences... ...and almost no negativity (almost :-) )

Basics and applied karate 23.11.2020

Does conventional Kihon really fit with the applied method?

Beyond Bunkai 23.11.2020

What is bunkai (really?) and where do you go from there?

What not to wear 23.11.2020

The benefits and downfalls of training exclusively in a Karate Gi

Conversation with Vince Morris 06.11.2020

If you are involved in applied karate you'll know who Vince Morris is (and if you don't know who Vince is, you are not really involved in applied karate)

Who is Sensei? 22.06.2020

What is a sensei? How long do you need a sensei? Can you live without a sensei?

#1 Trials and Tests (and Women's self defence) 15.02.2020

This is the first episode of EBD, it is basically a conversation on the differences between self defence and martial arts, particularly with the emphasis on Women's self protection. It is here as a test bed for a larger project but may still pique your interest if this is your thing. Enjoy.

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