Kabaddi Rules: A Deep Dive into the High-Speed Combat Sport

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Part – 2

Kabaddi is a game of speed, strength, and strategy. It’s a mix of wrestling, tag, and breath control, making it one of the most intense sports in the world. Whether you’re a PKL (Pro Kabaddi League) fan, a casual viewer, or a newbie wondering yeh game hota kaise hai?, this deep dive into Kabaddi rules will make you an expert in no time!

Basic Structure of Kabaddi

A Kabaddi match is played between two teams, each consisting of seven players on the field and up to five substitutes on the bench. The objective? Score more points than the opposition by either:

1. Raiding – Entering the opponent’s half, tagging defenders, and escaping back successfully.
2. Defending – Stopping the raider from returning to their side.

The game is played in two halves of 20 minutes each with a 5-minute halftime break. The team with the most points at the end wins. Simple? Not quite!

Raiding: The Art of Attack

Each team sends one raider at a time into the opponent’s half. The raider’s goal is to:

• Touch as many defenders as possible in a single raid.
• Escape back to their side without getting tackled.
• Keep chanting “Kabaddi, Kabaddi”—this is a rule to prove breath control.

Successful Raid: If the raider touches an opponent and returns safely, their team gets one point per touch.
Bonus Point: If the raider crosses the bonus line (without getting tackled), they get one extra point.
Super Raid: If a raider tags three or more defenders in one raid, they get extra points and a confidence boost!
Super 10: If a raider scores 10 raid points in a match, it’s called a Super 10—a mark of an elite player.

If a raider gets caught, the defending team scores a point.

Defending: The Art of the Tackle

The defending team has to stop the raider from escaping. Defenders can:

• Hold the raider’s legs to prevent movement (ankle hold).
• Dash the raider out of the mat using force.
• Block the raider by surrounding them.

Successful Tackle: If defenders successfully stop the raider, they get one point.

Super Tackle: If only three or fewer defenders are on the mat and they successfully stop a raider, they get two points instead of one.

All-Out and Revival

All-Out: If a team loses all seven players, the opposition gets 2 bonus points, and all the defenders revive immediately.
Revival Rule: For every point scored, one player from the bench revives and joins the team.

This means no team stays weak for too long—every point matters!

Fouls and Violations

Out of Bounds – If a raider steps outside the boundary line (without contact), they’re out.
Illegal Raid – If a raider stops chanting Kabaddi or takes too long, the raid is invalid.
Advance Defence – If defenders cross the midline before the raider enters, it’s a foul.

Scoring System in Kabaddi

The team with the highest score after 40 minutes wins the match.

Kabaddi Formats

There are two main styles of Kabaddi:

1. Standard Kabaddi (Played in PKL & International Matches)

7 players per team.
Played on a rectangular mat (13m × 10m).
Used in Pro Kabaddi League, Asian Games, Kabaddi World Cup.

2. Circle Kabaddi (Popular in Punjab, Pakistan, Iran)

Played on a circular field.
More aggressive, fewer rules—raiders must touch as many defenders as possible before escaping.
Famous in rural India and Pakistan.

Kabaddi – The Game of Warriors!

Kabaddi is a mind-game and a test of physical fitness. If you’re watching Pro Kabaddi, keep these rules in mind, and you’ll enjoy the game even more!

Next up? A deep dive into Famous Kabaddi Players—from India’s legends to international stars! Stay tuned!