Kabaddi is a popular contact sport that originated in India and is now played internationally. The game involves two teams of seven players each, who take turns to attack and defend. The objective of the game is for the attacking team, known as the raider, to cross the halfway line of the defending team’s court and tag as many defenders as possible without being tackled or caught by the defenders. In this article, we will introduce you to the rules of Kabaddi in detail.
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Table of Contents
Court and Equipment
Kabaddi is played on a rectangular court that is 13m wide and 10m long. The court is divided into two halves by a centerline. Each half is further divided into two parts, the bonus line and the end line. The bonus line is located 3.75m from the centerline, and the end line is located at the edge of the court.
The equipment required to play Kabaddi includes a mat or carpet, which is placed in the center of the court, and a whistle to signal the start and end of each game.
Teams and Players
Each Kabaddi team consists of seven players, with five additional players on the bench who can be substituted during the game. The players are divided into two categories, the raider and the defender.
The raider is the attacking player who enters the opposing team’s court to score points. The defender is the defending player who tries to tackle or catch the raider to prevent them from scoring.
Rules of Kabaddi
The game begins with a toss to decide which team will start the game as the raider or defender. The game is played in two halves of 20 minutes each, with a five-minute break in between.
Raider
The raider’s objective is to cross the opposing team’s half of the court, tag as many defenders as possible, and return to their own half of the court without being tackled or caught by the defenders.
The raider must chant the word “kabaddi” repeatedly while in the opponent’s court to indicate that they are still holding their breath and have not taken a new one. The raider is allowed to inhale only once while in the opponent’s court.
The raider can score points in the following ways:
- Touch points: If the raider tags a defender and returns to their own half of the court without being tackled, they score one point.
- Bonus points: If the raider crosses the bonus line while tagging a defender, they score one bonus point.
Defender
The defender’s objective is to stop the raider from crossing the halfway line of their court and to tackle or catch the raider if possible.
The defender can score points in the following ways:
- Tackle points: If the defender tackles the raider and prevents them from returning to their own half of the court, they score one point.
- Catch points: If the defender catches the raider before they can return to their own half of the court, they score one point.
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Fouls
The following actions are considered fouls in Kabaddi:
- Self-out: If the raider touches their own body or goes out of bounds, they are out.
- Unsuccessful raid: If the raider fails to tag any defender and returns to their own half of the court, they do not score any points.
- Illegal raid: If the raider crosses the opponent’s half of the court without chanting “kabaddi,” they are out.
- Illegal tackle: If the defender tackles the raider by grabbing their hair, clothes, or any other body part except the waist and below, it is considered an illegal tackle.
- Encroachment: If the defender crosses the waistline or the centerline before the raider enters their court, they concede a point to the opposing team.
Time-outs
Each team is allowed two time-outs per half, each lasting 30 seconds.
Tie-breakers
If the scores are tied at the end of the game, a tie-breaker is played to decide the winner. The tie-breaker consists of two halves of five minutes each, with the team that scores the most points winning the game.
FAQs
Q: What is the objective of Kabaddi?
A: The objective of Kabaddi is for the attacking team, known as the raider, to cross the halfway line of the defending team’s court and tag as many defenders as possible without being tackled or caught by the defenders.
Q: How many players are there in kabaddi rules?
A: There are seven players on each team in Kabaddi.
Q: How is Kabaddi played?
A: Kabaddi is played on a rectangular court that is divided into two halves by a centerline. Each half is further divided into two parts, the bonus line and the end line. The game begins with a toss to decide which team will start the game as the raider or defender. The game is played in two halves of 20 minutes each, with a five-minute break in between.
Q: How do you score in kabaddi?
A: The raider can score points by tagging a defender and returning to their own half of the court without being tackled. They can also score a bonus point by crossing the bonus line while tagging a defender. Defenders can score points by tackling or catching the raider.
Q: What is foul in kabaddi?
A: The fouls in Kabaddi include self-out, unsuccessful raid, illegal raid, illegal tackle, and encroachment.
Q: What are the five basic rules of kabaddi?
A: 1. The raider must hold their breath while crossing the opposing team’s court.
2. The raider must tag a defender with their hand and then return to their own court without being tackled.
3. The defenders must try to stop the raider from returning to their own court by tackling or catching them.
4. If a defender crosses the centerline or waistline while trying to tackle the raider, they concede a point to the opposing team.
5. If a team makes a mistake or commits a foul, they lose a point or concede a point to the opposing team.
Conclusion
Kabaddi is a fast-paced, action-packed sport that requires skill, strategy, and physical fitness. By understanding the rules of the game, beginners can enjoy and appreciate the nuances of Kabaddi. Whether you are a player, a spectator, or just a curious learner, we hope this article has provided you with a solid foundation to start your journey into the exciting world of Kabaddi.
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