# Kabaddi rules: raids and a beginner tag version

Kabaddi alternates attack and defence: a raider enters the other team's half, tries to tag opponents and returns home.

## Quick rules

- Kabaddi: The first raider crosses into the defenders' half when the caller starts the timer.

- Kabaddi: The raider tries to touch a defender gently and get back over the middle line before time runs out.

- Kabaddi: Defenders move away and protect open space.

- Kabaddi: The caller ends the raid at a return, time-out or boundary breach.

- Kabaddi: Write the point, switch the attacking team and choose its next raider.

## Key facts

| Fact | Details |

| --- | --- |

| Players | 6 to 14 |

| Equipment | Soft boundary markers, Open level space, Timer, Optional purpose-made tag belts |

| Time | 15 to 30 minutes (planning estimate) |

| Age | 10+ with adult supervision |

| Also called | Kabadi, Tag kabaddi |

chai.games · 2026-10-18

Kabaddi alternates attack and defence: a raider enters the other team's half, tries to tag opponents and returns home. Competition versions include controlled contact and detailed court rules. The practical game below is our no-tackle teaching adaptation, with short timed raids and everyone staying involved. It is not a tournament rulebook.

## What you need

- Choose a level sports area with a clear run-off space. Mark an outer rectangle and a middle line. Keep waiting players, bags and spectators well back from the edges so a returning raider has room to slow down.

- Use two similar teams for practice. Our six-player minimum means three on each side; standard competitive formats differ. Give one adult the timer and decision-making role. They should be able to stop play immediately without shouting over music.

## Setup

1. Explain the difference between the sport and this activity. Formal kabaddi uses the raid, return and continuous cant; our timed beginner version does not ask children to hold their breath and does not permit tackles, holds or body blocks.

2. Set a short raid limit, such as fifteen seconds, and give both teams the same number of raids. Our suggested first match is six raids per side. These are house settings chosen for an easy introduction, not official timings.

3. Pick the raiding order so everyone gets a turn. Demonstrate a light tag on an arm or shoulder and a clear return across the middle. If using suitable tag belts instead, agree how a removed tag ends the raid and practise replacing it.

## How to play

1. The first raider crosses into the defenders' half when the caller starts the timer. Only that raider attacks. Their teammates remain in their own half and cannot reach across to help.

2. The raider tries to touch a defender gently and get back over the middle line before time runs out. In our simple version, one successful tag is enough: return immediately rather than chasing several players in one raid.

3. Defenders move away and protect open space. For the basic touch-only lesson they cannot grab or tackle the raider. An optional belt version lets a defender end the raid by cleanly removing a tag; pulling clothing is never a substitute.

4. The caller ends the raid at a return, time-out or boundary breach. Stop everyone before announcing the result. Tagged defenders stay in this teaching game, so there is no elimination or revival list to manage.

5. Write the point, switch the attacking team and choose its next raider. After both teams have had the agreed raids, compare totals. If time is short, finish a pair of raids so one team never gets an extra attempt.

## Scoring / how to win

- Our house score is one point for a tag followed by a safe return, one to the defence if the raider runs out of time or leaves the outer boundary, and zero for a clean return without a tag. A disputed touch is replayed.

- Example: Team Teal completes two successful returns, while Team Pink completes one and earns a defensive point. The score is 2-2. This lesson leaves out bonus lines, all-outs and specialist tackle scores; do not add them halfway through.

## House rules & regional variations

- To learn the formal sport, work with a qualified coach and the rules used by your local competition. Standard indoor and circle-style kabaddi have different arrangements. A television match is not a safe instruction sheet for improvised holds.

- For a slower lesson, let everyone walk and use only one defender against each raider. Increase the defensive group once players understand the return line. Keep the same scoring for both teams during a match.

## Tips & strategy

- A raider should keep a clear route home. Practise stepping towards a defender, then changing direction early; a last-second dive is unnecessary in this activity.

- Defenders can spread out instead of forming a wall. During the pause, ask the raider which route looked open. That short discussion teaches positioning without making a beginner feel they must copy a professional move.

## Safety & fair play

- Never practise neck holds, ankle holds, trips or tackles on a hard courtyard. Stop for fatigue, discomfort or a fall. Remove jewellery, check footwear and make contact optional. Formal contact training needs suitable facilities and competent supervision.

## Questions

### Is this full competitive kabaddi?

No. It teaches entering, tagging and returning through a no-tackle house format. Competition rules require separate coaching and officiating.

### Must beginners hold their breath?

Not in this activity. We use a timer and normal breathing rather than a breath-holding challenge.

### How many players should be on each side?

Our practice version works with three to seven per side. Choose teams that fit the safe space; competition team sizes follow their own rules.

### Do tagged defenders sit out?

Not here. Everyone resets after each raid. Elimination and revival belong to more detailed formats.

### Where can we read competition rules?

The AKFI rules page links its rulebook. Check which governing rules and version your local coach or competition actually uses.

## Play and keep score

- [Split the practice teams](https://chai.games/hisaab/toss)

- [Keep a simple raid score](https://chai.games/hisaab/kuch-bhi)

## Sources

- [AKFI: competition rulebook directory](https://www.indiankabaddi.org/rules-of-kabaddi.html)

- [Oak National Academy: raids, defence and a tag-belt teaching option](https://www.thenational.academy/teachers/programmes/physical-education-secondary-ks4-core/units/invasion-games-tactics-and-strategies-in-world-games/lessons/kabaddi-rules-and-basic-skills)

Source: chai.games, "Kabaddi rules: raids and a beginner tag version" (https://chai.games/khel-kitab/kabaddi)