Kabaddi is built around a simple contest: one side sends a raider into the opposing half while the defenders try to stop the raider before the return is completed. Points and player revivals then change the balance of the next raid. Once those basic cycles are understood, the rest of the game—bonus points, tackles, all-outs and match strategy—becomes much easier to follow.
Table of Contents- The basic objective
- Team setup and the mat
- How a raid works
- Scoring through raids and tackles
- Bonus points
- Outs and revivals
- All-outs
- How the match is decided
- Common beginner mistakes
- Key takeaway
The basic objective
Two teams compete on a marked kabaddi court. A team attacks by sending a raider into the opposing half and defends when the opponent raids. The attacking player tries to score while returning safely; the defenders try to prevent that return and earn a point.
Team setup and the mat
Standard kabaddi uses seven players on the mat for each side, with substitutes available according to the competition rules. The court contains a mid-line, baulk line, bonus line and lobbies or other marked areas defined by the applicable rules. Court dimensions can vary by category, so official rules should be used for exact measurements.
How a raid works
A raid starts when the raider enters the opponent's half under the legal conditions. The raider can attempt touches, a bonus or another legal scoring action. The defensive team may attempt a tackle. The raid ends when the raider returns safely, is stopped, or another rule ends the play.
Scoring through raids and tackles
A successful attacking action can produce raid points, while a successful defensive stop produces a tackle point. The number of points can depend on how many defenders are put out and on the competition's scoring rules. Fans should also distinguish the immediate score from the resulting player-revival state.
Bonus points
The bonus line provides an additional scoring opportunity when the prescribed conditions are met. It is not automatically available on every raid. The number and position of defenders and the raider's legal movement matter when determining whether a bonus can be claimed.
Outs and revivals
When a player is put out, the rules provide a revival mechanism through which players can return to the mat as their team scores. This is one reason kabaddi can change quickly: a successful raid can add points and alter the number of active players for the next phase.
All-outs
An all-out occurs when one team has no active players remaining on the mat. It carries an additional scoring consequence under standard rules and resets the affected team according to the applicable revival procedure. It is a major turning point because the team that was emptied can return with its players restored.
How the match is decided
Match duration and competition format are determined by the rules of the event. Standard published rules commonly use two halves, while professional leagues can publish additional procedures for ties and knockout matches. If the score is level at the end of a game, the competition's tie procedure decides what happens next.
Common beginner mistakes
New viewers often assume every touch is automatically a point, every tackle looks the same, or a bonus is always available. In reality, legality, timing, player count and the exact competition rules matter. The referee's decision and the official regulations determine the result of disputed actions.
Key takeaway
To follow a kabaddi match, watch the raid, the defensive response, the scoring event and the revival consequence. Those four elements explain most of the action that appears complicated on first viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are on the kabaddi court?
Standard kabaddi uses seven players per team on the mat, subject to the applicable competition rules.
What is the main job of a raider?
The raider attempts to score in the opponent's half and complete the required return safely.
What happens when a player is out?
The player leaves the mat and can be revived according to the scoring and revival rules of the competition.