Introduction
What’s that? You’ve never heard of Kabaddi? Better put your sensei hat on and get ready for a crash course. Believe it or not, kabaddi is an ancient sport with origins in South Asia, and it’s been gaining popularity around the world!
In a nutshell, kabaddi is all about not getting tackled—or breathing too hard. Two teams of seven players each must keep their opponents from crossing a line in the middle of the court while still managing to catch them (without taking too much air). Sounds easy, right? Not so fast. There are also defensive techniques and strategies you’ll need to know if you want to be a successful kabaddi master.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Then join me as I dive into the world of kabaddi. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about this complex yet exhilarating sport—from the rules and regulations to essential strategies, and even how to get started training!
What Is Kabaddi?
Have you ever heard of Kabaddi? If you haven’t, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll be taking an in-depth look into all things Kabaddi, so buckle up!
Kabaddi is an ancient sport that originated in India and South Asia. It is a sport that is played between two teams and involves each team occupying opposite halves of a small field. The players take turns sending one raider of their team into the opposing team’s half to score points by tagging out opponents and returning safely to their side of the court.
The rules are straightforward: your raider must go across to the opposing half of the field, cry “Kabaddi!” while tagging as many opponents as they can while holding their breath, and then quickly return to your side without running out of air or being tackled by the other team. Your team earns points if they successfully return. If not, they are out of the running. So grab your seatbelts and get ready for an exciting game!
The Rules of Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a fast-paced game with simple rules that you can learn in no time. It involves two teams of seven players each taking turns to raid the other’s side. A raider enters the opposing team’s side and attempts to tag as many of their players as possible.
The raider must be able to hold their breath and chant “kabaddi” in one continuous breath while attempting a raid. If you’ve never done this before, it may take some practice! Once the raider has tagged an opponent, they must return to their own side without being caught by the opposition.
Each successful raid is rewarded with points, while the defence side earns points if they manage to stop the attack or catch the raider on his way back home. A team wins by either accumulating more points than its opponent at the end of two twenty-minute halves or forcing all its opponents out of bounds before time runs out.
Types of Kabaddi
Kabaddi comes in four main forms, each one with its own set of rules and regulations. So, if you want to really dive into the world of kabaddi, you need to understand the differences between them.
Standard Kabaddi
Standard kabaddi is the most common form of discipline that you’ll find around the world. The rules are pretty simple—two teams enter a field and try to touch their opponents and return to their home side without being tackled or stopped. The team with more points at the end wins.
Circle Kabaddi
In circle kabaddi, players are divided into two teams of seven. They start from two points within a circle with a diameter of 22 meters, called chakkas. Each team scores points by entering their opponents’ area and touching members of the opposing team without getting caught.
Beach Kabaddi
As its name implies, beach kabaddi is played outdoors on a sandy beach or glass court—typically set up in a similar manner as volleyball courts. In this version of kabaddi, teams are split into seven-player sides and take turns tackling each other in order to score points.
International Kabaddi Federation Rules (IKF)
International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) Rules are applied for international matches such as the Asian Games or World Cup matches and tournament games at an international level. In IKF rules, each team consists of 12 players playing on a rectangular ground that is divided into two equal halves by crossing lines between them.
What You Need to Know About Kabaddi Equipment
In the world of kabaddi, the right equipment is everything. Knowing where to get it, how to use it, and what pieces you need is key. Here’s what you need to know:
Types of Equipment
The primary pieces of equipment used in kabaddi are a playing court, boundary lines and bibs. The size of the court depends on which version of kabaddi you’re playing, but for international standard 7s, the court must measure 13m by 10m for men and 12m by 8m for women. You can also get other items such as tackle belts and shorts if desired.
Where to Find Equipment
You can buy all the kabaddi equipment you need online or at a store that specializes in sports goods. It’s best to purchase items that are official because they are specifically designed with kabaddi in mind. Plus it’s usually cheaper than buying from a non-sports store!
Getting Started
Once you have gathered your supplies, it’s time to start playing! Put up your boundaries lines – two long-side lines (for defending) and two short-side lines (for attacking) – using rope or string and anchors for each side. Then divide them into two halves with a centre line and two goal circles at either end of the court. After that, all that’s left is to grab your bibs and hit the field!
Training for Kabaddi
So, you’ve learned the basics of kabaddi and now you’re ready to start training. The first step is to find a kabaddi coach who can help you perfect your techniques—granted, this might prove to be a challenge if you don’t live in an area with established kabaddi teams. But hey, there’s no need to worry—as long as you have a good work ethic and the willingness to learn, you’ll definitely be able to get the hang of it.
Here are some tips for practicing kabaddi:
- Find a partner or squad that you can practice and drill with regularly.
- Make sure that each practice session has a purpose—think about what aspects of kabaddi you want to improve upon and focus on them in your drills.
- Focus on building your physical endurance; this is an important part of playing kabaddi since it does require so much running around! Make sure to do cardio exercises like sprints, burpees and mountain climbers regularly.
- Exercise patience; even if something isn’t working perfectly at first, keep practising until it becomes second nature.
- Incorporate yoga into your practice—it will help build flexibility, reduce muscle stiffness and improve breathing during your games.
Where to Watch and Play Kabaddi
Are you ready to watch and play some kabaddi? Then you’ve come to the right place. Kabaddi has recently become popular in many countries, so it isn’t hard to find places where you can watch and play.
Professional Leagues
If you love professional sports and want to watch kabaddi at its absolute highest level, then you can look for professional leagues around the world, such as the Pro Kabaddi League in India or other major international tournaments. These will often feature the very best players from each country and provide an exciting spectacle of skill, power and speed.
Local Clubs
If watching is not your thing, but playing is more your style, then look for local clubs in your area that host regular matches. Many cities have recreational sports leagues that will accommodate all kinds of abilities. You can also see if there are any nearby national teams if you are truly ready to take your game to the next level!
Playing kabaddi is a great way to stay active while having a lot of fun at the same time. With a few friends or by joining a club, it’s easy to get started on this exciting sport!
Conclusion
From the seven players on each side, the two referees and the two linesmen, to the raider and the defender, Kabaddi is a complex and highly strategic game. It’s fast-moving, physical, and thrilling to watch.
Kabaddi dates back centuries and is played in countries all over the world, from Japan to India, from South America to the Middle East. There’s something magical about the game, and the most successful teams often have a huge fan following.
Kabaddi is the ultimate team sport, but whether you’re a spectator, a player, or a coach, it’s a great way to have fun, stay fit, and learn more about this ancient Indian game. Dive in and explore the thrilling world of Kabaddi!
