Kabaddi holds so many childhood memories, and is now becoming the fastest-growing sport people love to play and watch. The game originated in Ancient India, but today it’s even more famous and is played worldwide. If you’re an ordinary player who wants to become a pro in a short time, knowing the basics of kabaddi rules makes it much more fun to play or watch.
Here are the 10 rules of kabaddi that will teach you about the basic rules, so that the next time you play or watch it with your friends, they won’t be able to bluff you with false rules.
10 Rules of Kabaddi Everyone Must Know
To understand the game, first you’ve to understand its rules. Here are the core rules of the game, explained in 10 simple points.
1. Team Size and Players
Each team has 12 players in total according to kabaddi rules. Only 7 players from each team are on the ground to play, and the remaining 5 are substitutes.
2. Match Time
A match lasts 40 minutes, divided into 2 halves of 20 minutes each. The teams take a 5-minute break after halftime and switch sides. And at the end, the team with the maximum points wins.
3. Raiding and the “Cant”
Teams take turns attacking and defending. One team sends a player known as the “Raider” to the opponent’s side. And the Raider chants the word ”Kabaddi” continuously without stopping for even a second. This continuous chanting is called “Chat”.
4. The 30-Second Time Limit
According to the kabaddi rules, a raider has a strict time limit of 30 seconds to finish their attack. If they do not reach their side within 30 seconds, they are out, and the opponent gets the point.
5. Crossing the Baulk Line
The opponent’s side has a line called the Baulk Line. The raider must cross this line with at least one foot to make their attack valid. If they do not cross it, the attack does not count.
6. Getting Touch Points
The raider gets 1 point for every defender they touch, as long as they safely run back across the centre line to their own side. The defenders who were touched are temporarily knocked out of the game.
7. Getting Tackle Points
From all the kabaddi rules, one is that all the defenders must work together to catch the raider. If they successfully tackle, trap, or block the raider from crossing back to their side, the defending team gets 1 point. The caught raider is temporarily out of the game.
8. The Bonus Line
If the defending team has 6 ot 7 players on the mat, a special line called the Bonus Line becomes active. A raider gets 1 extra point by placing one foot over the line while the other foot in the air.
9. The Lobby Area
Following the kabaddi rules and regulations is mandatory for every player throughout the game. There are side tracks on the court called lobbies. Normally, these are out of bounds. However, as soon as a raider touches a defender, these side tracks become part of the active court, and players can step on them.
10. Coming Back into the Game (Revival)
When a team scores a point, they can bring one of their knocked-out players back onto the court. This is called a revival. Players must come back in the exact order they were knocked out.
Special Rules for Professional Leagues
Modern pro tournaments use extra kabaddi rules to make the game even faster and more thrilling for television viewers.
- Do-or-Die Raid: A team is under attack twice but does not score any points; the next raid becomes a “Do-or-Die” raid for them. In case the raid fails, the raider will be automatically disqualified.
- Super Tackle: When there are only three, two, or one player left of the defending team and the remaining members are able to tackle an incoming raider, then they are awarded with 2 points rather than 1.
- All-Out: If a team eliminates all seven players from the opposition, then they are awarded two additional points. All those eliminated players then rejoin the game.
Learning these specific 10 rules of kabaddi helps you understand the smart strategies coaches and players use in tight matches.
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Master the Mat: Kabaddi Rules for Better Gameplay
Learning the 10 rules of kabaddi is the first step to enjoy this amazing sport. What looks like a wild scramble on the mat is actually a highly strategic game, almost like physical chess. By understanding the basic kabaddi rules, you can easily see how quickly the game switches between attacking and defending. Whether you are watching a major league on TV or playing with friends, these simple guidelines will show you exactly how points are won and lost. Make yourself a pro by learning these 10 rules and applying them in your next game.
