Understanding Kabaddi Rules: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian culture, has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. Known for its fast-paced action and strategic gameplay, Kabaddi offers an exciting and unique experience for both players and spectators. If you’re new to the sport, understanding the rules is essential to fully enjoy and engage in Kabaddi matches. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the fundamental rules of Kabaddi, providing you with a solid foundation to appreciate the game to its fullest.

1. Objective of the Game: Kabaddi is a team sport where two teams compete to score points. The objective is for the raider, a player from one team, to enter the opponent’s half, tag as many defenders as possible, and return safely to their own half, all while holding their breath and continuously chanting the word “Kabaddi.”

2. Team Composition: Each team consists of seven players on the field and five substitutes. The players are divided into two categories: raiders and defenders. Raiders aim to score points by tagging defenders, while defenders try to prevent raiders from crossing the centerline or escaping their clutches.

3. The Playing Area: A standard Kabaddi court is a rectangle measuring 13 meters by 10 meters, divided into two halves by the centerline. Each half has a bonus line, approximately three meters from the centerline, which rewards the raider with extra points if they manage to cross it while on a raid.

4. Raiding and Defending: A raid begins when a raider enters the opponent’s half, chanting “Kabaddi” loudly and clearly. The raider’s goal is to touch one or more defenders and return to their half before inhaling again. The raider can use various skills such as dodging, spinning, and hand touches to evade defenders and score points.

On the defensive side, the defenders aim to tackle the raider by grabbing them and preventing their return to their half. Defenders can join hands to form a chain or try to immobilize the raider with their grip.

5. Points System: Points are awarded based on the outcome of a raid. Here are the different scenarios:

• If the raider successfully tags one or more defenders and returns to their half without being caught, their team scores one point for each defender tagged.
• If the raider is caught by the defenders and fails to return to their half, the defending team earns a point and takes over as the attacking team.
• If the raider fails to tag any defenders and returns safely to their half, it’s known as an “empty raid,” and no points are awarded.

6. Substitutions: Teams can make substitutions during the game. A player can be replaced only when they are off the court, and the substitution must occur within 5 seconds of the player leaving the field.

7. Duration and Scoring: A standard Kabaddi match consists of two halves, each lasting 20 minutes, with a five-minute break between them. The team with the most points at the end of the match is declared the winner.

Conclusion:

Kabaddi is a thrilling sport that combines agility, strategy, and teamwork. By understanding the fundamental rules outlined in this guide, beginners can follow the game with ease and appreciate the skill and excitement displayed by the players. So, grab a seat, cheer for your favorite team, and immerse yourself in the captivating world of Kabaddi.