Kabaddi

Kabaddi is one of the most exciting and powerful sports in India. Many people compare it to IPL because it’s fast, aggressive, skill-based, and full of action. But it’s more physical and has more raw energy. This guide is for new kab addi players who want to learn the game, its rules, how to score, and the best teams.

What is Kabaddi (Chedugudu)?

it is a team contact sport where one player from one team enters the other team’s side to score points and return safely.

It may look simple at first, but Chedugudu is actually a game of

• speed
• strength
• timing
• breath control
• balance
• teamwork
• strategy

That is why Chedugudu is loved so much in India.

It is a desi sport, but today it is played in a very professional way through leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).

Why Kabaddi is So Popular in India

Kabaddi became even bigger after PKL started because it gave the sport the following:

• bright stadiums
• team jerseys
• star players
• live TV coverage
• fan rivalries
• exciting league format

Like cricket, millions of Indians watch Chedugudu every day. And what’s the best part? You don’t need to buy expensive gear to understand it. It is very fun to watch Chedugudu once you know the basics.

Kabaddi in One Simple Line

If you want the easiest explanation possible, then remember this:

Kab addi is a game where one player attacks, and the other team tries to stop him.

That’s the core of the sport. Everything else is built around this concept.

How Many Players Are There in Chedugudu?

Each team has 7 main players on the mat during the game.

Usually the squad also has substitutes on the bench.

So in simple terms:

• 7 players play at a time
• extra players stay as substitutes

These 7 players are divided into different roles depending on attack and defence.

Kabaddi Court Size and Setup

Kabaddi is played on a court or mat that is rectangular. Chedugudu is played on a rectangular mat or court.

1. There are two halves of the court.
2. Each team is on its side.
3. In the middle, there is a line.
4. When a player attacks, they cross the middle line and go into the other team’s half.
5. This is where the real fun begins.

Main Idea of Kabaddi: Raider vs Defenders

Every Chedugudu game is based on one battle:

Raider vs Defenders

One team sends in a raider, and the other team has defenders waiting. The raider goes in, tries to score, and then comes back.

The defenders try to catch him and stop him. That’s Chedugudu.

Who is a Raider in Kabaddi?

A raider is the attacking player.

He goes into the opponent’s half and tries to score points.

Raider’s job:

• enter enemy half
• touch one or more defenders
• come back safely to his side

If he succeeds, his team gets points.

If he gets caught, the defenders get points.

Who are Defenders in Chedugudu?

The defenders are the players who stay on the other side and try to stop the raider.

Defender’s job:

• stop the raider from escaping
• hold him down
• prevent him from returning to his half

Defenders use:

• body blocks
• ankle holds
• thigh holds
• chain tackles
• teamwork

This is why Chedugudu is not just about strength — it is also about timing and smart movement.

What Happens in a Raid?

A raid is one attack turn. When a raider goes into the opponent’s half, that is called a raid.

A raid usually lasts only a few seconds, but it can completely change the game.

What the Raider Must Do During a Raid

When the raider enters the opponent’s side, he has to do 3 things:

1. Enter the other side

He crosses the midline and goes into enemy territory.

2. Try to score

He can score by:

• touching defenders
• taking bonus points
• forcing errors

3. Return safely

He must come back to his half before being tackled.

If he fails to return, he is out.

Why Raiders Say “Kabaddi Kabaddi”

This chant is one of the most famous parts of the sport.

Traditionally, the raider must keep chanting:

“Kabaddi… Kabaddi… Kab addi…”

without stopping.

The chant shows that he is doing the raid in one breath. In modern professional Kabaddi, the chanting is not always the main focus, like in village-style Kabaddi; the rule comes from the original form of the game.

It represents:

• breath control
• discipline
• raid limit

That is one reason kab addi is so unique.

How Points Are Scored in Kabaddi (Hadudu)

This is the part beginners want to understand most.

So let’s make it basic.

1 Point for Touching a Defender

If the raider touches a defender and returns safely, he gets 1 point.

Example:

Raider enters, touches one player, and comes back.

His team gets 1 point
The touched defender is out

1 Point for Tackling the Raider

If defenders stop the raider and do not allow him to return, defenders earn 1 point.

Example:

Raider enters and is caught by three defenders.

👉 The defending team gets 1 point
👉 Raider is out

What is a bonus point in Kabaddi?

A bonus point is an extra point the raider can take in certain situations.

It usually happens when:

• enough defenders are on the mat
• the raider crosses the bonus line correctly

This is an advanced but important part of Hadudu.

Simple meaning:

The raider doesn’t need to touch a defender — he can still steal 1 point through skill and footwork.

This is why some raiders are very dangerous even without physical contact.

What is an “all out” in Kabaddi?

An All Out is a very big moment in the game.

If all players of one team are out, then that team suffers an All Out.

What happens then?

• the other team gets extra points
• all players of the out team come back onto the mat

This action can totally change the match.

In Hadudu, one strong raid or one big defensive move can create an all-out effort and shift momentum immediately.

That’s why Hadudu is so thrilling.

What Happens When a Player Gets Out?

When a player gets out:

• he leaves the mat
• he sits in the out area
• he can return later

How does he return?

A player is revived when his team scores points.

So Hadudu is always dynamic.

Players keep going out and coming back in.

This is what makes the game exciting every minute.

How Long is a Kab addi Match?

Professional Hadudu matches are usually played in two halves.

Match format:

• 1st half
• short break
• 2nd half

Each half is generally around 20 minutes in professional formats.

That means a full match is short enough to stay exciting and long enough to allow comebacks.

Hadudu is not a slow sport.

Every minute matters.

What is a Super Tackle?

This move is one of the coolest things in Hadudu.

A super tackle happens when the defending team has very few players left but still manages to stop the raider.

Why is it special?

This is because they are facing a significant disadvantage.

If they still tackle successfully, they earn an extra reward.

This is a huge momentum moment that often gets the loudest cheers in kabaddi.

What is a Do-or-Die Raid?

Another important kab addi term.

A do-or-die raid happens when a raider has failed to score in previous raids and now must score; otherwise, he gets out.

This creates massive pressure.

That is why star raiders are judged by how well they handle do-or-die raids.

This is one of the most exciting situations in Hadudu.

Main Skills Needed in Kabaddi

Kabaddi is not just about power.

A great Hadudu player needs many skills.

For Raiders

A good raider needs:

• speed
• balance
• quick footwork
• fake movement
• timing
• courage

Raiders often use moves like the following:

• toe touch
• hand-touch
• running hand touch
• dubki
• kick

For Defenders

A good defender needs the following:

• strength
• coordination
• timing
• grip
• teamwork
• confidence

Defenders often use:

• ankle hold
• thigh hold
• waisthold
• block
• dash

This is why kabaddi is both technical and physical.

How to Watch Kab addi Like a Smart Beginner

If you are new, don’t try to understand everything in one match.

Just watch with this simple method:

Watch 3 things only:

1. Who is raiding?
2. Did he touch anyone?
3. Did he return safely?

That’s enough to start.

Once you understand this, Hadudu becomes easy.

Then slowly you will start noticing:

• bonus line
• super tackle
• all out
• do-or-die raid
• player positions

Best Kabaddi League in India

The biggest kabaddi competition in India is the following:

Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)

This is the IPL of kab addi.

PKL made it modern, professional, and highly popular.

It includes:

• city-based franchises
• star raiders
• star defenders
• points table
• playoffs
• final

This is the best place for beginners to start watching kabaddi.

How Many Teams Are in PKL?

The Pro Kabaddi League has 12 major teams.

These teams represent different cities and regions.

Some of the well-known PKL teams are:

• Bengal Warriors
• Bengaluru Bulls
• Patna Pirates
• Tamil Thalaivas
• UP Yoddhas
• Gujarat Giants
• Haryana Steelers
• Puneri Paltan
• U Mumba
• Jaipur Pink Panthers
• Dabang Delhi KC
• Telugu Titans

These teams have built strong fan bases over the years.

Strong and Famous PKL Teams

Some teams are especially famous because of titles, strong players, or consistency.

Popular strong teams include:

• Patna Pirates
• Dabang Delhi KC
• Puneri Paltan
• Bengaluru Bulls
• Jaipur Pink Panthers
• U Mumba

If you are a beginner, start watching these teams because their matches are usually fun and competitive.

What Makes a Team Strong in PKL?

A strong PKL team usually has the following:

• one top raider
• one or two strong defenders
• a balanced bench
• smart captaincy
• good teamwork

PKL is not a one-man game.

Even if one raider is famous, defence wins many matches.

Why PKL is Fun to Watch

PKL is exciting because:

• points come quickly
• momentum changes fast
• one tackle can flip the match
• one raid can create an all-out
• no boring waiting time

That’s why many Indians love PKL once they start understanding it.

It is raw, emotional, physical, and full of tension.

A Beginner’s Guide to Betting on Kabaddi Exchanges

Kabaddi is the sport that is growing the fastest in India for trading. In a PKL match, the odds can change in seconds. A single Super Tackle or All-Out can rapidly shift the odds from 1.2 to 4.0. This is the breakdown with the most impact:

1. Main Markets and Changes

• The market with the most liquidity wins. In an exchange, you can Back the favourite or Lay them if their star raider is not on the mat.
• The total number of match points (over/under) is usually between 70 and 80. If both teams have aggressive raiders, bet on the “Over.” If two defensive giants (like Puneri Paltan) are fighting, bet on the “Under.”
• Top Raider/Tackler: High-reward markets based on each player’s “Point” total.

2. The “Exchange” Plan

• The All-Out Swing: When a team has only two players left, their chances will go up a lot. If you want a “Super Tackle” (which gives you 2 points and brings a player back to life), now is the best time to Lay the leading team.
• Do-or-Die Specialist: Keep an eye out for teams that use 3rd-raid points. Even when things get tough, they keep their odds steady.

3. Helpful Tips for Beginners

• Don’t forget about defence: the Raiders win games, but the defenders win trophies. Backing a team with a “High 5” defender is usually safer.
• If a star raider is “Out,” the team’s chances will go up. Smart traders back them right before a revival to catch the price change.

The Golden Rule for Kab addi is to keep moving. Never “set and forget” a bet; use the Exchange to get out of your position as soon as an All-Out happens.

Can Beginners Learn Kabaddi Fast?

Yes, very quickly. Kab addi is actually easier to understand than a lot of sports from other countries. You will learn a lot more than you did before if you watch just two or three PKL matches after reading this guide. You don’t have to remember all the rules right away. Just get the basics down first. That’s enough.

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