# Variations of kabaddi

Kabaddi is a contact sport of South Asian origin which has many variations.

## History

Traditional kabaddi was played differently from modern kabaddi, in part because of the launch of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in 2014 which added and changed certain rules. For example, some styles of modern kabaddi feature a 30-second time limit on each raid, whereas traditional kabaddi had no time limits, with raiders instead having been required to complete the raid on one breath, chanting "kabaddi" repeatedly to prove to the referee that they were not inhaling.

## Main disciplines
### Standard style

In the international team version of kabaddi, two teams of seven members each occupy opposite halves of a court of 10 by 13 metres (33 ft × 43 ft) in the case of men and 8 by 12 metres (26 ft × 39 ft) in the case of women. Each has five supplementary players held in reserve for substitution. The game is played with 20-minute halves with a 5-minute half time break in which the teams exchange sides. During each play, known as a "raid", a player from the attacking side, known as the "raider", runs into the opposing team's side of the court and attempts to tag as many of the seven defending players as possible. The raider must cross the baulk line into the defending team's territory, and then return to their half of the field without being tackled. (If an attacker touches a defender and hasn't yet reached the baulk line, they do not need to reach the baulk line to score points and may return to their half of the court.) While raiding, the raider must loudly chant kabaddi, confirming to referees that their raid is done on a single breath without inhaling. Each raid has a 30-second time limit.
A point is scored for each defender tagged; tags can be made with any part of the raider's body and touching any part of the defender's body. If the raider steps beyond the bonus line marked in the defending team's territory when there are six or more players, they earn an additional point known as a bonus point (the bonus point is only scored if the raider's trailing foot is in the air while they step over the line). If the raider is successfully stopped (tackled), the opposite team earns a point instead. All players tagged or tackled are taken out of the game, but one is "revived" for each point a team scores from a subsequent tag or tackle. However, bonus points do not revive players. In addition, players who step out of the boundary are out. However, the boundary of the field can vary mid-raid; there are two strips on either side of the court known as "lobby areas" which only become part of the field of play in raids where the raider touches an opponent.
A raid where no points are scored by the raider is referred to as an "empty raid". By contrast, a play where the raider scores three or more points is referred to as a "super raid". If a team gets all seven players on the opposing team out ("All Out"), they earn two additional points and then all the opposition players are placed back in the game.

### Punjabi style (Circle-style)

In the Punjab region, kabaddi is played on a circular pitch of a diameter of 22 meters and an inner circle with a line through the middle of the pitch: the pitch is called kaudi da bharha. There are two teams of 8 players; one on one raid; and no player leaves the field. If 2 stoppers attack a player, a foul is declared. Punjab style kabaddi does not require the raider saying "kabaddi, kabaddi" throughout the raid. The game lasts for 40 minutes with a change in sides after 20 minutes.

## Variants of standard kabaddi
### Organisational variations

The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and World Kabaddi (WK) are two major international kabaddi organisations that have slightly different rules for kabaddi. IKF kabaddi matches have two halves, while WK are played in four quarters.

### Beach kabaddi

Beach kabaddi is played in two 15-minute halves by two teams of four players who are not allowed to wear shoes. It is played at an international level in competitions such as the Asian Beach Games.

### Indoor kabaddi

Indoor kabaddi is played in two 15-minute halves by two teams of five players and is a shorter variant of standard style kabaddi. It is played at an international level in competitions such as the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

## Variants of circle kabaddi
### Lambi kauddi

In lambi kauddi (Punjabi: لمبی کوڈی/ਲੰਬੀ ਕੌਡੀ) there are 15 players with a circular pitch of 15–20 feet. There is no outer limit. The players can run as far they can. There is no referee. The raider will say "kauddi, kauddi" throughout the attack.

### Saunchi kauddi

Saunchi kauddi (Punjabi: سانچی کوڈی/ਸੌਂਚੀ ਕੌਡੀ) (also called Saunchi pakki/Punjabi: ਸੌਂਚੀ ਪੱਕੀ) can best be described as being similar to boxing. It is popular in the Malwa area of Punjab. It is unlimited players with a circular playing pitch. A bamboo with red cloth is dug into the ground which is paraded by the winner.

## Other variants
### Ghoda kabaddi

Ghoda kabaddi is a variation of kabaddi in which one player on the offensive team (the ghoda or "horse") sits in a small circle deep within the defensive team's half of the field. Once touched by the raider, the horse can leave the circle and must then return to his team.

### Budhiya kabaddi

Budhiya kabaddi originates from the Magadha region of India. It is played with two teams of four or more players. The scoring team has a player (called the budhiya or "old lady") who starts off positioned at the opposite end of the field from the "home" area. The old lady's goal is to reach home without being touched by any of the opponents.

### Slap kabaddi

Slap kabaddi or thappad kabaddi is a Pakistani variant of kabaddi which is particularly popular in Punjab. Two players aim to slap each other, scoring one point for each slap landed on the opponent (above the waist); the winner is the one who scores the most points, or who can force his opponent to forfeit the match.

### Whip kabaddi

In whip kabaddi, one player (the singer) stands in one half of the court, while all other players stand on the other side of the court and each hold a whip-like object (generally made of a soft material like cloth or paper). The singer's job is to sing while trying to tag opponents; once the singer has tagged an opponent, they must flee the field and try to avoid being whipped.

### Zum-zum

There are two players on each team in this traditional game of Myanmar. The defenders can not tackle the raider in this variant; they can only attempt to tag the raider before the raider escapes. If the raider escapes without executing or receiving a tag, then the game continues with the other side raiding.