Kabaddi is an ancient game that has its origins in India. It is almost 4000 years old and is also the national sport of Bangladesh. The game of Kabaddi traditionally was played in open fields or mud grounds. Although you must know the basics of Kabaddi rules, the game requires no equipment. Thus, it has been a popular sport among children for generations.
Kabaddi in the modern era
The age-old form of Kabaddi was played without specific attention to detail because it was a simple game that required only players and an open space. However, with time, Kabaddi became an integral part of sports, and avid players worked hard to give Kabaddi the recognition it deserves in the international sports arena.
The basics of Kabaddi rules went through some modernized changes to play internationally. The most significant Kabaddi rules for preventing fouls and penalties are listed below:
Defenders cannot restrain or stop the raider by pulling hair or clothes. They also do not have the right to choke or put their arms around the throat of the raider in an attempt to stop them from crossing the line. Defenders are not allowed to enter the lobby area while defending. Doing so can result in a penalty. The raider has to keep chanting Kabaddi, Kabaddi, during the entirety of the raid. Stopping the chant dismisses the raider. The raid is not supposed to last for more than 30 seconds.
If empty raids happen successively, the raider gets dismissed after the third empty raid, and the other team gains a point.
Raiders or defenders are dismissed if they step out of the end lines.
Kabaddi terms for players
The competitive sport is played for 40 minutes. The duration of the match has two equal parts. Each team can have 12 players. Seven players from each time start the game. The rest of the players are there for substitution purposes. Each team also gets two time-outs. The game begins with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss decides to either raid or defend. The important Kabbadi terms are below:
All-out:
This term denotes that 7 team members are not on the mat. It can happen in two scenarios after getting raided, either by tagging or by getting pinned. In this case, the raiding team wins two points.
Ankle hold:
Defenders use this defensive trick to immobilize a raider who attempts to tag opponents with a toe touch by gripping their ankles.
Block:
It is a defensive tactic where a defender physically stands between the raider and the midline while preventing the raider from crossing.
Back hold:
It is a challenging defensive move where the defender stops the raider from leaving by flipping them onto the ground.
Baulk line:
It is on either side of the field, drawn 3.75m from the middle line. A legal raid starts when the raider crosses this line.
Bonus line:
A bonus line is on each side, situated 1m from the baulk line.
Chant:
‘Kabaddi Kabaddi’ is the chant that a raider has to say throughout the raid. If the chant breaks, then the raider cannot continue the raid.
Corner:
Corners are crucial places where raiders attempt to do a running tag or touch, and defenders have to strengthen the corner points to do an ankle hold or block.
Cover:
It is part of the defending team’s orientation. Two covers are part of different defensive chains and are adept at immobilizing the raider.
Dash:
It is a defensive move where a defender uses pace to blindside a raider and push him/her away.
In:
Ins are assistant raiders who can help during raids.
Lobby:
Players are not allowed to enter the striped area at both ends of the court, also known as the lobby area, especially during raids. Entering the lobby without any contact results in instant removal from the continuing raid
Left-right raider:
It is a tag given to raiders competent in raiding from both sides.
Mid-line:
The mid-line is at the middle of the court, and raiders must return to the mid-line after a raid to get points.
Running hand-touch:
This raiding stance involves running in the defending court from one side to another with outstretched hands to gain touchpoints.
Thigh Hold:
In this defending technique, the defender holds the thigh of the raider to stop them from crossing the mid-line.
Toe Touch:
In this tagging maneuver, the raider attempts to touch the defender’s toe with their leg.
Back Kick:
Black Kick, also known as mule kick, is a raiding technique where a raider quickly kicks back with their leg to get touch points.
Chain Tackle:
It is a defensive tactic where the opponents form chains by holding hands in twos or threes. It prevents the raider from returning.
Do-or-die raid:
It is a raid type where the raider is compelled to score points, or else they get benched. This ride takes place after two back-to-back empty raids.
Dubki:
It is an escape technique used by raiders who face a chain tackle. They are supposed to crouch under the chain tackle and then jump towards the mid-line.
Empty Raid:
When the opponent team members do not tag the raider, it is an empty raid.
Frog Jump:
Raiders use this move to save themselves from a possible tackle in an area with almost no lateral clearance. The raider propels in the air using the back of the defender as a Launchpad. The move resembles that of a frog, so it is named as frog jump.
Golden Raid:
Here, only one raid is allowed, and if the team initiating the raid scores a single point, then that team wins. It happens when there is a tie between two teams at the end of extra time. The coin toss by the referee decides the raiding team.
High 5:
A defender who gets five or more tackle points in a match receives a High 5.
Lion Jump:
If one or more defenders catch a raider, then we see the usage of this technique. Strength is required for this move as the raider uses his calf muscles and momentum to jump in the air.
Pursuit:
In this move, a defender runs after the raider to their half, and often, the team pursuing this move gets a quick point.
Revive sequence:
Players are revived according to their elimination stage.
Side kick:
It is a well-known tagging tactic where raiders kick in a sideways direction to touch the opponent.
Scorpion Kick:
It is a tagging technique where the raider tags the opponents by raising their legs behind like a scorpion’s tail and doing a kick in the air.
Super Tackle:
Super Tackle is when a maximum of three defenders stops a raider while granting the defending side two points.
Super Raid:
When the raider scores three points or more during a raid, it is known as a super raid.
Super 10:
When the score of a raider touches ten raid points or more, it is called super 10.
Conclusion
Kabaddi is an exciting sport that requires skill, flexibility, and strength. In the present era, Kabaddi players can represent their nation in national and international games held worldwide. Different countries are projecting Kabaddi as a favorable game that tests players’ abilities in manifold aspects.
Aspiring Kabaddi players can find ample scope in India to showcase their talent after the Indian Kabaddi League. Though known by different regional names, Kabaddi has emerged as an increasingly popular sport. It is currently arresting the attention of people worldwide.
