Did you know?
Kabaddi became an Asian Games medal sport in 1990. India's men won every gold until 2014. In 2018, Iran won both the men's and women's golds, but India won both back at the next Games!
The words 'kabaddi, kabaddi' that a raider keeps chanting are called the 'cant'. Chanting without stopping shows that the raider has not taken a fresh breath during the raid.
When a team gets all seven players of the other side out, it scores an 'All Out' and wins two extra points. Then all seven players come back into the game!
Try this: Playground Kabaddi
On soft, open ground, draw a small court with chalk or a stick: a middle line, and a line about three big steps from it on each side. One raider at a time crosses into the other half, chanting 'kabaddi, kabaddi', tries to touch a defender, then hurries back. Tag gently with hands only: no pushing, pulling or grabbing clothes!
Go further: Bonus Points and Super Tackles
A men's kabaddi court is 13 metres long and 10 metres wide. In each half there is a baulk line and, one metre beyond it, the bonus line. If six or more defenders are on court and the raider steps beyond the bonus line, the raider earns a bonus point. In the Pro Kabaddi League, when three or fewer defenders catch a raider, they score an extra point, called a super tackle!