Kabaddi: A Timeless Sport of Skill and Strategy

1) Introduction: Kabaddi is a fast-paced, traditional contact sport

originating from ancient India. Known for its blend of agility, strength,
and strategy, the game has grown into a globally recognized sport.
Played between two teams of seven players each, the objective is to
score points by raiding the opponent's court, tagging defenders, and
returning safely, all while chanting "Kabaddi, Kabaddi" continuously to
demonstrate breath control.Rooted in Indian culture, Kabaddi combines
elements of wrestling, sprinting, and strategic teamwork. It requires
players to exhibit physical endurance, mental sharpness, and tactical
decision-making. The sport is particularly popular in South Asia but has
expanded worldwide, with tournaments like the Pro Kabaddi League
and the Kabaddi World Cup attracting international audiences.Kabaddi’s
simplicity, thrilling action, and cultural significance make it a unique and
cherished sport that continues to evolve while maintaining its
traditional roots. It’s not just a game; it’s a testament to teamwork,
resilience, and the spirit of competition.

2)History: The exact origins of kabaddi are shrouded in the mists of

time, but it is believed to have emerged in ancient India. The sport's
simplicity and the intense physical and mental demands it imposes
made it a popular pastime among warriors and rural communities. Over
centuries, kabaddi evolved into various regional forms, each with its
unique rules and style of play. However, the core principles remained
constant: a raider from one team enters the opponent's court, tags as
many defenders as possible, and returns to their own court without
being tackled. In recent decades, kabaddi has experienced a resurgence
in popularity, particularly in India. The establishment of the Pro Kabaddi
League (PKL) in 2014 has revolutionized the sport, attracting millions of
fans and elevating the status of kabaddi players. The league has not
only boosted the popularity of the sport domestically but has also
contributed to its global recognition.

3) The Kabaddi Court: A kabaddi court is a rectangular playing field

with specific dimensions and markings.
Key Dimensions:
· Length: 13 meters (42.65 feet)
· Width: 10 meters (32.81 feet)
· Key Markings:
· Center Line: Divides the court into two equal halves.
· Baulk Line: Located 3.75 meters from the center line on each side.
· Bonus Line (Lobby Line): Located 1 meter from the baulk line on
each side.
· The Bonus Line is a crucial area in the game. If a raider crosses this
line without being tackled, they score additional points.
4) Equipment and Protective Gear: While kabaddi is a relatively
simple sport in terms of equipment, players typically wear:
1. Jerseys
2. Attire Jerseys and Shorts:
· Players wear lightweight, breathable jerseys and shorts made
from polyester or moisture-wicking fabric to allow free movement
and reduce sweat accumulation.
· Jerseys typically include player numbers, team names, and
sponsors.
· Shoes:Kabaddi players use special shoes with non-slip rubber
soles to provide better grip on the mat.The shoes are lightweight,
flexible, and designed to minimize the risk of injury during sudden
movements.
3. Protective Gear :
Since Kabaddi is a contact sport, protective gear plays a vital role in
minimizing injuries. Below are the essential protective items:
a) Knee Pads
· Purpose: Protect the knees from impact during dives, lunges, and
tackles.
· Features: Made from foam or gel padding with an elastic outer
layer to provide cushioning and flexibility.
b) Elbow Pads
· Purpose: Protect the elbows during falls, dives, or when defending
against a raider.
· Features: Lightweight with sufficient padding for shock
absorption.
c) Ankle Guards/Support
· Purpose: Provide stability and reduce the risk of sprains or twists
during sudden lateral movements.
· Features: Compression sleeves or braces with adjustable straps to
fit snugly around the ankle.
d) Finger and Wrist Tape
· Purpose: Prevent injuries to fingers and wrists during tackles or
holds.
· Features: Players often use sports tape to reinforce joints and
reduce strain.
e) Mouthguard
· Purpose: Protect teeth and reduce the risk of oral injuries during
intense physical contact.
 · Features: Custom-fitted or boil-and-bite designs for maximum
comfort and protection.
f) Groin Guard (for Men)
· Purpose: Protect the groin area from accidental impact during
tackles or raids.
· Features: Lightweight and ergonomically designed to provide
comfort and protection.
g) Headbands or Sweatbands
· Purpose: Keep sweat away from the eyes, ensuring clear vision
during play.
· Features: Elastic and absorbent materials like cotton or microfiber.
4. Additional Equipment
· Whistle: Used by referees to signal the start, end, or fouls during
the match.
· Scoreboard: Displays the current score, raid time, and remaining
match time.
· Stopwatch/Timer: Used to track the raid time (30 seconds) and
total match duration.
· Team Benches: Players and coaches sit on designated benches
during breaks or when not on the court.
· Water Bottles and Towels: Essential for players to stay hydrated
and wipe off sweat during breaks.
5. First Aid and Medical Supplies
· First Aid Kits: Include bandages, antiseptic sprays, ice packs, and
pain relievers to treat minor injuries.
 · Stretchers: Available at the venue to transport players in case of
serious injuries.
· Physiotherapy Support: Teams often have physiotherapists on
hand to provide immediate care for cramps or muscle injuries.
4)Skills: Kabaddi is a demanding sport that requires a combination of
physical and mental attributes. Here are some of the key skills that
make a successful Kabaddi player:
1) Physical Skills
· Stamina: The ability to sustain high-intensity physical activity for
extended periods.
· Speed and Agility: Quick movements and agility to evade
defenders and make rapid changes
· in direction.
· Strength: Physical strength to overpower opponents in tackles and
raids.
· Flexibility: Flexibility to perform various acrobatic moves like the
'dubki' (dive).
· Endurance: The capacity to withstand physical and mental fatigue.
2) Mental Skills
· Tactical Awareness: The ability to read the game, anticipate
opponent's moves, and make quick decisions.
· Focus and Concentration: The ability to maintain focus during
intense gameplay.
· Breath Control: The ability to control breathing, especially during
raids.
 · Mental Toughness: The ability to perform under pressure and
bounce back from setbacks.
3)Specific Skills for Raiders
· Raiding Techniques: Various raiding techniques like toe touch,
hand touch, back kick, and diving tackle.
· Speed and Agility: To quickly enter and exit the opponent's court.
· Deception: To confuse defenders with feints and unexpected
moves.
4)Specific Skills for Defenders:
· Tackling Techniques Effective tackling techniques like ankle hold,
waist hold, and diving tackles.
· Anticipation: The ability to anticipate the raider's moves and react
quickly.
· Teamwork: Coordinating with other defenders to form a strong
defensive line.
5)Rules and Regulations
1) Team Composition:
Each team has 7 players on the field and can have up to 5 substitutes.
A maximum of 12 players can participate in a match (7 on the field, 5 as
substitutes).
2) Duration of the Game:
A standard Kabaddi match lasts 40 minutes, divided into two halves of
20 minutes each, with a 5-minute break.
In youth matches, the duration is reduced (e.g., 15-minute halves).
3) Objective:
The aim is to score points by raiding the opponent's court, tagging
opponents, and returning safely.
Defenders try to prevent the raider from returning by tackling them.
4) Court Dimensions:
Men's matches: 13m x 10m court.
Women's matches: 12m x 8m court.
5) Raid Process: A player from the raiding team enters the opponent’s
court, chants "Kabaddi, Kabaddi," and tries to touch as many defenders
as possible without breaking the chant. The raider must return to their
court without being tackled to score.
6) Successful Raid: A raid is successful if the raider tags one or more
opponents and returns to their court safely. Each tagged defender earns
1 point for the raiding team.
7) Empty Raid: If a raider fails to tag any opponent or score, the raid is
considered empty.
8) Do or Die Raid: If a team has two consecutive empty raids, the third
raid must be successful. Otherwise, the raider is declared out.
9) Super Raid: If a raider tags three or more defenders in one raid, it is
called a Super Raid, and they earn additional points.
Defense Rules:
1) Tackles: Defenders can stop a raider by catching, grabbing, or
blocking them to prevent them from returning to their court.
2) Successful Tackles: A successful tackle earns 1 point for the defending
team.
3) Super Tackle: If a team has three or fewer defenders on the court and
successfully tackles a raider, it is called a Super Tackle, earning 2 points.
Scoring System:
1) Touch Points: Raiders earn 1 point for each defender they tag.
2) Bonus Points: A raider earns 1 bonus point if they cross the bonus
line (available when the opposing team has six or more defenders).
3) All-Out: If all 7 players on a team are out, the opposing team earns 2
extra points.
4) Winning Team: The team with the most points at the end of the
match wins.
Fouls and Violations:
1) Breaking the Chant: A raider must continuously chant "Kabaddi"
during the raid; failure results in being declared out.
2) Stepping Out of Bounds: If a raider or defender steps out of the
court, they are considered out.
3) Late Entry or Substitution: Players must enter the court promptly;
delays or unauthorized substitutions are penalized.
Additional Regulations:
1) Time-Outs: Each team is allowed 2 time-outs per match.
2) Substitutions: Teams can make unlimited substitutions during the
match.
3) Tie Breaker: In case of a tie, extra time or a golden raid may be used
to determine the winner.
6) Officials : A Kabaddi match, a fast-paced and physically demanding
sport, requires a team of skilled officials to ensure fair play and smooth
conduct. These officials play crucial roles in interpreting the rules,
making timely decisions, and maintaining the integrity of the game.
Key Officials and Their Roles
· Referee :The highest authority on the court.Oversees the entire
match, ensuring adherence to the rules.Has the power to overturn
decisions made by the umpires in case of significant errors or
disputes.Responsible for maintaining discipline among players and
coaches.Makes final decisions regarding penalties, cautions, and
disqualifications.
· Umpires (2) :Primarily responsible for making on-court decisions,
such as:
· Awarding points
· Declaring players out
· Calling fouls and penalties
· Their decisions are generally final, but the referee can intervene if
necessary.
· Scorer: Records the score, timeouts, and other match statistics.
· Maintains accurate records of points scored by each team.
· Tracks the time remaining in each half and any additional time
added.
· Assistant Scorer: Assists the main scorer in recording match
details.
· Helps maintain accurate statistics and ensures smooth scoring.
· Additional Roles in Professional Leagues In professional leagues
like the Pro Kabaddi League, additional officials may be involved to
enhance the overall management of the game:
 · Technical Official: Oversees the technical aspects of the match,
such as ensuring proper equipment and playing conditions. May
also be involved in reviewing video replays for controversial
decisions.
· Match Commissioner: Responsible for the overall conduct of the
match.Ensures that the match is conducted fairly and
professionally.May handle administrative tasks, such as player
registration and disciplinary matters. The presence of these
officials is essential for the smooth functioning of a Kabaddi
match. Their expertise, quick decision-making, and impartial
judgment contribute to the excitement and competitiveness of
the sport.
7)Official Signs for Fouls: Officials use a standardized set of hand
signals to indicate various fouls, such as:
1. Pushing or Pulling an Opponent Illegally :
· Description: This foul occurs when a defender pushes or pulls a
raider unfairly, or vice versa. Pushing or pulling is considered
illegal if it is done without the intent to block or stop the raider in
a fair manner.
· Referee Sign: The referee holds both palms facing outward and
moves them forward in a pushing motion to signify that the player
used an unfair force.
2. Entering the Lobby Without a Touch :
· Description: A player (either a raider or defender) enters the lobby
without touching an opponent. The lobby is only active when a
valid touch is made by the raider.
· Referee Sign: The referee points toward the lobby area with one
hand and simultaneously extends the other hand toward the
 offending player to identify the foul.
3. Crossing the End Line or Sideline :
· Description: A player steps out of the boundary lines (end line or
sideline) during play. Raiders and defenders must remain within
the marked playing area unless forced out due to valid gameplay.
· Referee Sign: The referee points to the boundary line and then
makes an outward gesture with the hand to signal that the player
is "out."
4. Raider Failing to Touch the Opponent or Return to the Court :
· Description: If a raider fails to touch any defender and does not
cross the midline to return within the allotted 30 seconds, the raid
is unsuccessful.
· Referee Sign: The referee points toward the raider with one hand
and rotates the wrist of the other hand, mimicking the motion of a
clock, to signal a time violation.
5. Early Start or Late Entry by a Raider :
· Description: A raider starting a raid before the referee’s whistle or
entering the court after the raid has begun is considered a foul.
This disrupts the fairness of the game.
· Referee Sign: The referee points at the raider and makes a circular
motion with the hand, mimicking the ticking of a clock, to indicate
the early or delayed action.
6. Clothing or Body Contact Fouls :
· Description: Holding or pulling an opponent’s clothing or body in
an unfair manner is prohibited. This includes grabbing jerseys,
shorts, or any other part of the uniform.
· Referee Sign: The referee mimics the act of pulling clothing by
 holding their hands in front of the body and making a pulling
motion.
7. Illegal Hold or Chain Tackle :
· Description: Defenders are prohibited from making illegal holds,
such as tackling above the shoulders, using unnecessary force, or
performing chain tackles (two or more defenders locking hands to
form a barrier).
· Referee Sign: The referee crosses their wrists in front of their
chest to signal that an illegal hold or tackle occurred.
8. Diving or Tripping Foul :
· Description: Defenders are not allowed to dive onto or trip the
raider intentionally. Such actions can lead to injury and are
against the rules.
· Referee Sign: The referee swings one arm downward in a
sweeping motion toward the ground to indicate a tripping
or diving foul.
9. Deliberate Delay of Play :
· Description: A player or team deliberately wasting time to gain an
advantage, such as delaying a raid, is penalized for unsportsmanlike
conduct.
· Referee Sign: The referee taps their wrist, similar to pointing to a
watch, to indicate time-wasting behavior.
10. Obstruction of the Raider’s Chant :
· Description: During a raid, defenders must not obstruct the raider’s
chanting of "Kabaddi" by shouting, creating noise, or physically
interrupting the chant. Maintaining the chant is crucial for the
validity of the raid.
· Referee Sign: The referee taps their throat gently to indicate a verbal
foul, signaling that the chant was disrupted unfairly.
8) Notable Indian Kabaddi Players
· Anup Kumar: A legendary raider known for his agility and
deception.
· Rakesh Kumar: A skilled defender and captain of many successful
teams.
· Rahul Chaudhari: A prolific raider with exceptional speed and
accuracy.
· Ajay Thakur: A versatile player known for his raiding and
defending abilities.
· Deepak Hooda: A powerful raider with a strong physique.
9)Indian Awards for Kabaddi: While Kabaddi doesn't have specific,
exclusive awards like cricket or football, players can be honored with
general sports awards:
1)Arjuna Award: This prestigious award recognizes outstanding
achievement in sports and games. Many Kabaddi players have been
honored with the Arjuna Award, including:
· Sahanand Mahadev Shetty (Maharashtra)
· Bholanath Guin (West Bengal)
· Shakuntala Pandarinath Khatavkar (Maharashtra)
· Vikas Kale
· Sayali Keripale
2)Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: While not specifically for
Kabaddi, players like Manpreet Singh and Vikas Kumar, who have made
significant contributions to Indian sports, have received this highest
sporting honor in India.
10) Chatrapati Award Players: The Shiv Chhatrapati Award is
Maharashtra's highest state sports honor, recognizing athletes for
exceptional achievements. Several kabaddi players have been honored
with this prestigious award over the years.
· Here are some notable recipients:
· Ashok Shinde: A prominent kabaddi player from Maharashtra,
Ashok Shinde was honored with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in
1994 for his significant contributions to the sport.
· Rishank Devadiga: A well-known figure in the Pro Kabaddi League,
Rishank Devadiga received the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 2019,
recognizing his excellence in kabaddi.
· Vikas Kale: A key player in Maharashtra's kabaddi scene, Vikas Kale
was bestowed with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award for his
contributions to the sport.
· Sayali Keripale: An accomplished female kabaddi player, Sayali
Keripale was honored with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award for her
achievements in the sport.
· Sonali Vishnu Shingate: A professional women's kabaddi player,
Sonali Shingate was awarded the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 2020
for her contributions to kabaddi.
· These athletes have significantly contributed to kabaddi, bringing
pride to Maharashtra and inspiring future generations.