Top 5 Kabaddi Rule Changes in Recent Years

When kabaddi entered the world stage in the early 21st century, the guidelines in place were raw. For example, there was no set time for raid duration, meaning that a raider can waste as much time as they would want. Injuries were frequent and a kabaddi match looked like a combination of wrestling and rugby.

In order to improve the game for both the players and the viewers, several changes were brought in place. Here's top 5 Kabaddi rule changes in recent years.

Also Read: Who is the Best Raider in PKL history?

Kabaddi : Historical Overview

The idea of a kabaddi match in ancient history was completely different to what we watch on TV these days. Initially adopted as an activity to hone battle skills, kabaddi has come a long way in establishing itself as one of the most-watched sports in India.

It has been documented that the chronicle of kabaddi is almost 4,000 years old. Hindu mythology states that in the epic Mahabharata, Pandava warrior Arjuna learned the skills from his closest friend, Lord Krishna. Arjuna’s son, Abhimanyu, too used kabaddi strategies to breach the seven-tiered ‘Chakravyuha’ defence during battle.

It took its time to become a popular sport in India, but fast forward to today’s date and kabaddi has rightly found its place.

Evolution in kabaddi

Since making its demonstrative appearance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, kabaddi matches, especially in India, have undergone myriads of changes; right from its playing surface to technical aspects like the addition of bonus line and productive raid.

Kabaddi Rule Changes in Recent Years

5. Technical Point

A technical point is credited to the team and not to any raider or defender, and it is awarded due to the following reasons - Coaching by a player/coach when a raid is active. Another one is, if a player goes out of bounds before being in contact with an opponent during a raid.

4. Review System

During the league phase, usually, teams are allowed one review each in a game. For the knockouts, teams get one review per half (two in total).

3. Bonus Point

If the opposition has six or more players on the mat, the bonus line (the second black colour line in the opponent’s half) becomes active. In such a case, if the foot of the raider lands over the bonus line without cutting it, then the raiding team will receive a bonus (+1) point even if the raider is successfully tackled during the raid. Bonus points will not revive a player.

2. Permitted substitutions increase

Unlike the five substitution changes during the match and one during half-time, this season, teams can substitute up to a total of eight changes, including one in the strategic time-out.

1. Do-Or-Die Raid

If a team goes on two successive empty raids (raids fetching no points for either team), then the next raid is called a Do-Or-Die Raid. The raiding team must get the point during this raid, or else the raider will be out even if he is not tackled.