Best Kabaddi Betting Tips

Kabaddi Rules

Despite being a relatively simple game in terms of the game basics, kabaddi does have a few rules that are important to know, especially when it comes to scoring points. The PKL has additional rules to make the sport even more entertaining for viewers.

Below we’re breaking down all the different rules for each aspect of the game.

The Field

Professional men’s kabaddi is played on a rectangular field that measures 13 meters in length and 10 in width. The women’s team plays on a slightly smaller field of 12 m x 8 m.

The field has a center (or mid) line to separate the two halves. Additionally, there are baulk and bonus lines, which may play a role in scoring points.

There is also the circle-style kabaddi, which is usually played outdoors and almost exclusively by amateurs. There don’t seem to be standard measurements for how big the circle should be.

The Teams

Two teams play each other, and each team consists of 12 players. However, only 7 players may take the field at any given time, provided they are in the defensive position. Only one player will take the field for the raiding team. Team members will raid in sequence as the game plays out.

Since kabaddi is very physical in nature, matches are usually categorized according to age, weight and gender. This means that men will never play against women or youths against adults.

The Duration of a raid and match

Professional kabaddi is strict in its rules, which also applies to the length of a match and how long a raid is supposed to take. The match consists of two halves of 20 minutes each with a 5-minute half-time break in between.

A raid is meant to last the length of one breath, which means 30 seconds in reality. Since the raider shouts ‘kabaddi’ repeatedly and the sport can get very physical, 30 seconds is about all a raider can manage.

In circular kabaddi, a match does not have a fixed duration.

The Coin Toss

To determine which team gets the first raid, a coin is tossed. The winner of the coin toss gets to choose whether they want to have the first raid or not. With the beginning of the second half of the match, the team that did not get the first raid will now begin with a raid.

Scoring points

The attacking team sends a player (the attacker) into the opponent’s half of the field. The attacker first inhales and then tries to mark as many players of the opposing team before returning to his own half of the field. He must do this before breathing in again. Points are awarded for each player of the opposing team successfully marked, but only if the attacker manages to return to his own half before time runs out.

All the while, the attacker must chant ‘kabaddi’ to prove that he has not taken a breath of fresh air. If he fails to do so, he must return to his own half with no points. Instead, the defending team gets a point.

The defending team also receives a point if they successfully prevent the attacker from returning to their half. Defenders may only grab attackers by the upper body or limbs, not by the hair or clothing. The defenders are also not allowed to move into the opponent’s half. Teams take turns on offence and defense. At halftime, the sides of the field are switched, and play continues until time runs out.

Removing players

If a defending player is marked during an attack, that player is removed if the attack was successful, which means that the attacker can return to his half of the field without taking another breath or being attacked and held back.

All players counted out must leave the field and cannot be replaced by substitutes.

Players who cross the boundary lines of the field of play will also be removed from the field of play, regardless of whether they are attacking or defending.

An attacker who is caught and cannot return to his half of the field within one breath is also out.

If a team unsuccessfully raids three consecutive times, the third raider is removed. The only exception is if an attacker manages to cross the blocking line and return to his side of the field. Even without tagging anyone, this counts as a successful raid.

Defenders who move across the centre line before it is their turn are also removed from the field.

Reviving players

To get players back on the field (or revive them), their team only needs to score one point, regardless of whether they are currently on raid or defence. Of course, a player is not officially revived until the point is successfully scored at the end of an attack or defense round.

Penalties

Penalties are imposed for violations of the rules. This usually means that the opposing team will receive a point and the raid will end. Here are some rule violations that result in penalties:

• A raider says something other than ‘kabaddi’ – the raid is over, and the defending team gets a point and the chance to raid; the raider is not out, though.
• A raider begins his chant late (after crossing the centre line) – again the raid is over, the defending team scores and gets to raid, but the raider is not removed.
• A raider doesn’t go in sequence. Raiders must raid in a pre-determined sequence and can’t go out of order; in that case the raid ends, and the defence get a point.
• Two raiders enter the opponent’s side of the field. Once more the raid is over, and the defensive team gets a point.
• A defender enters the raider’s side of the court before it is their turn to raid; each time that happens, the raider’s team gets a point.
• Should a raider’s team attempt to shout out advice or warnings, the opposing team gets a point.

PKL Rules

The goal of the PKL is to popularise Kabaddi beyond local gaming and make it entertaining for the masses. Therefore, it is important that the action on the field arouses the interest of the spectators. For this reason, the PKL has made some changes to the kabaddi rules.

The rules are simply to ensure that there are more opportunities to score points. For example, the do-or-die raid after a team has played two unsuccessful attacks. This means that a player must score or he will be declared out.

Another difference is that tackles by the defending team with three or fewer players are now counted as “super tackles”, meaning they score two points instead of one.

In addition, the same rules apply in the Pro Kabaddi League as described above.