What is Kabaddi?

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a contact team sport that began in India and has gained global popularity. It is played in a large square arena with two halves of 20 minutes each, totaling 40 minutes of playtime. Two teams compete to score points, with players taking turns as “raiders” who enter the opponent’s half to tag defenders and return without being tackled. Defenders aim to stop the raider and prevent them from scoring. The game requires strength, agility, and strategy.

Key Elements of Kabaddi:

• Raiders and Defenders: The raider’s goal is to tag as many defenders as possible and return to their half without being tackled. Defenders try to stop the raider by tackling them.
• Lobby:  This expanded playing area is used when a defender is touched. It offers more space for both raiders and defenders to score or get the raider out.
• Bonus Line: Active when there are 6 or 7 defenders, a raider scores a point by placing one foot over the bonus line while the other foot remains in the air and successfully returning to the midline.
• Super Tackle: When the defending team has 3 or fewer players and successfully tackles the raider, they earn two points—one for the tackle and a bonus point for achieving it with fewer defenders.
• Do or Die Raid:  After two consecutive unsuccessful raids, the third raid must result in a score. Failure to do so results in the raider being declared out.
• All Out: If a raider successfully gets all defenders out in a single raid, it is called an ‘all out.’ The raiding team earns one point per eliminated player and an additional two points.