The Roar's weird sports series: Kabaddi

The word Kabaddi has begun to enter the modern Western vernacular, however, one could safely assume that very little is known about the odd Indian sport – and there is good reason for this.

Before reading any further, skip to 38 seconds of the video below and make a mental note of what you consider to be the rules.

The rules of Kabaddi are not overly clear from first impression.

In the international team version of Kabaddi, two teams of seven members each occupy opposite halves of a field, with teams supported by three reserves each. The game is played with 20-minute halves and a five-minute halftime break during which the teams exchange sides.

The teams take turns sending a ‘raider’ into the other half and this is where it gets confusing.

To win a point, the raider must take a breath, run into the opposing half, tag one or more members of the opposite team, then return to his home half before inhaling again.

The raider will chant “kabaddi, kabaddi” with his exhaling breath to show the referee he has not inhaled.

The raider will be out, and consequently fail to gain a point, if he inhales before returning to his side or cannot tag an opposition player.

Defenders will be out if they cannot catch the raider that tagged them, however tackling the raider to the ground, holding them until a breath needs to be taken prevents the defender from being removed from the game.

To make the game even more exciting, and confusing, there are bonus points, which can be gained in two ways.

First, if a raider manages to touch the bonus line and return successfully then a bonus point is awarded, and second if all of the players from one team are removed then two bonus points are awarded.

The side with the most points wins, and scores typically range from the mid 30s to low 60s.

This, however, is only one of the major forms of Kabaddi – albeit the largest. Others include Sanjeevani, Gaminee, and Amar, which feature various rules, playing surfaces and number of participants.

Despite its present obscurity the sport has featured in a number of Western spectacles, including the 1936 Berlin Olympics and British television during the 1990s – however, it was removed from UK broadcasting schedules due to waning interest.

The game, however, is still played in the British Army for recreation and to promote the armed services among the British Asian community.

Below is a classic international featuring Pakistan and Iran.