Kabaddi Rules and Scoring System

Kabaddi is one of India’s most exciting sports. It combines speed, strength, teamwork, and quick decision-making. A single raid can change the score, while a successful tackle can turn the match around.

However, if you are new to kabaddi, understanding the points system and match rules can sometimes be confusing.

What Is Kabaddi?

Kabaddi is a team sport played between two teams on opposite halves of a court. In the standard format, each team has seven players on the court at a time.

Teams take turns sending a player called a raider into the opponent’s half. The raider tries to touch defenders and return safely to their own half. Meanwhile, the defending team attempts to stop the raider from returning.

The main objective is simple: score more points than the opposing team before the match ends.

1. Basic Rules of Kabaddi

Here are the main rules beginners should understand:

• Seven players: Each team normally has seven players on the court in standard kabaddi.
  
• Raiding: A raider enters the opponent’s half to try to score points.
  
• Defending: The opposing players work together to stop the raider from returning safely.
  
• Out players: Players can be declared out during a raid or tackle. Under standard revival rules, scoring points can bring eliminated teammates back into play.
  
• Match winner: The team with the higher score at the end wins.

In traditional kabaddi, the raider also follows the required chanting rule while attempting a raid. Professional competitions follow specific regulations governing raid time, court boundaries, and other details.

2. How Does the Kabaddi Scoring System Work?

Kabaddi has several ways to earn points. Understanding these scoring methods makes it easier to follow the action.

Raid Points

A raider earns one point for each defender successfully touched, provided the raid meets the rules for a successful return. For example, if a raider touches two defenders and returns safely to their own half, their team can score two touch points.

These points can also help bring previously eliminated teammates back into the game.

Tackle Points

Defenders can score by stopping the raider from returning safely to their own half.

For example, if three defenders work together to catch a raider successfully, the defending team generally earns one tackle point under standard scoring rules.

This is why teamwork is so important in kabaddi. A well-timed tackle can stop the opponent from scoring and help the defending team regain control.

Bonus Points

A bonus point gives the raiding team an additional point when the raider crosses the bonus line correctly and meets the required conditions.

In the standard professional format, the bonus line becomes active when at least six defenders are on the court. The raider must follow the required foot-placement rules to earn the point.

A bonus point is useful because it allows a team to score even without touching a defender. However, bonus points do not normally revive an eliminated teammate.

3. What Is a Super Tackle?

A super tackle is a special defensive achievement. In the Pro Kabaddi League format, a successful tackle earns the defending team two points when it has three or fewer defenders on the court at the start of the raid. This rule gives a smaller defensive group an opportunity to earn an extra point.

For example, imagine that only three defenders remain on the court. If they successfully stop the raider, they can earn two points instead of the usual one.

Super tackles can be important turning points because they reward effective teamwork under pressure.

4. What Is a Do-or-Die Raid?

A do-or-die raid puts extra pressure on the raiding team. In the standard Pro Kabaddi League format, if a team makes two consecutive empty raids, its third raid becomes a do-or-die raid. An empty raid occurs when the raider returns to their half without scoring any points.

During the do-or-die raid, the raider must score. If the raider fails to score, they are declared out and the opposing team receives a point.

This rule encourages teams to take calculated risks rather than repeatedly returning without scoring.

5. What Is an All-Out in Kabaddi?

An all-out happens when all seven players of a team are declared out and no player remains eligible to continue on the court.

Under standard kabaddi scoring rules, the opposing team receives two additional points for an all-out. The eliminated team’s full side is then restored to the court.

For example, if Team A manages to put all seven players of Team B out, Team A receives the all-out bonus in addition to the points already earned during play.

An all-out can create a significant difference in the score, particularly in a close match.

6. How Long Does a Kabaddi Match Last?

Match duration depends on the competition and category. In the standard Pro Kabaddi League format, a match consists of two 20-minute halves, separated by a five-minute interval. Other competitions, age groups, and formats may have different match durations.

Teams switch court sides at the interval. The referee manages the match, confirms scoring decisions, and ensures that players follow the competition rules.

Final Thoughts

Kabaddi is much easier to understand once you know how raids, tackles, bonus points, super tackles, do-or-die raids, and all-outs work.

Each point matters, and successful teams combine strong raiding with organised defence. Learning the scoring system also helps fans understand why a single move can change the direction of a match.

At Cricbet99, we aim to make sports information easier to understand for cricket and kabaddi fans. You can also read our guide to kabaddi player positions and roles to understand how different players contribute to a team’s performance.

Follow the action with a better understanding of the rules, and you will appreciate the strategy behind every raid and tackle.

Note: Rules can vary between kabaddi competitions. Refer to the relevant tournament’s official rules for competition-specific details.