01
The raid
One raider crosses into the opposing half, tries to touch a defender, and has to return across the mid-line on the same breath. A clean touch scores a point for the raiding side.
AI overview · In short
How a raid, a tackle and an all-out work, plus the stats used to judge a kabaddi player. A kabaddi raider crosses into the opposing half chanting "kabaddi" on one breath, tries to tag a defender and get back, and every raid can shift the score in seconds. This guide covers the rules, scoring, and terminology worth knowing before you follow a match or the Pro Kabaddi League.
Sports guide
Kabaddi, raid by raid.
A raider crosses the line on one breath, and a single raid can swing the scoreline in seconds. Learn the rules, the scoring, and the terms commentary uses before you follow a match.
Information only · No guaranteed outcome · Adults 18+
How a raid works
One breath, one raid, one scoring chance
Kabaddi is built around a single repeated contest: a raider against a full defence. Everything else in the sport builds on this exchange.
02
The tackle
Defenders work together to stop the raider from getting back. A held raider scores a point for the defence instead, so the same passage of play can swing either way.
03
Bonus points and the all-out
A raider can pick up a bonus point for crossing a marked line deep in the opposing half. Put every defender out at once and the raiding side scores an all-out worth two extra points.
Terminology
Three terms worth knowing first
Super tackle
A tackle made when the defence is down to three or fewer players, worth an extra point because the raid was harder to stop with so few defenders left.
Do-or-die raid
A team's third raid in a row without scoring must score or lose a player, which forces a raider to take a risk they might otherwise avoid.
Revival
After an all-out, one player from the side that lost every defender returns to the mat, which is why one big raid rarely ends a match on its own.
Where it's played
Formats you'll hear mentioned
Kabaddi runs on domestic league and international calendars that don't always overlap. These are the three you'll come across most.
Pro Kabaddi League
A franchise league with city-based teams, an annual player auction, and a season format that runs across several months.
Kabaddi World Cup
An international tournament contested by national teams, played under a broadly similar rule set to the domestic league.
Asian Games kabaddi
A continental event where the sport sits alongside other disciplines, with a shorter group-and-knockout schedule than a standalone league season.
Answers
Questions about following kabaddi
Raids, tackles, the all-out, and the stats commentary keeps referring to.
A raider crosses to the opposing half, tags defenders and tries to return before the defenders tackle them. Points come from touches and tackles.
A tackle made when the defending side has few players left, which is worth extra points because the raid was harder to stop.
An all-out removes an entire side temporarily and awards bonus points, so one raid can swing the score.
Raid points, tackle points and success rate are the common measures for raiders and defenders.
Cannot find what you need? Our official WhatsApp desk replies with your ID and a screenshot.
Ask on WhatsAppWant the wider sports library?
Cricket, football, tennis, and esports get the same plain-language treatment as kabaddi.