If you only have five minutes, here is the shortest guide to kabaddi that will let you follow a match.
The goal
Score more points than the other team by the end of the match. A match has two halves of 20 minutes.
The teams
Each team has seven players on the mat at a time. They defend one half of the court, and attack the other.
The raid
A raider from one team crosses into the other half and tries to touch defenders with a hand or foot, then return to their own side. The raid must be completed within 30 seconds.
If the raider touches defenders and gets back, each defender touched is out, and the raiding team scores a point for each.
The tackle
If the defenders stop the raider from getting back, the raider is out, and the defending team gets a point. Defenders can hold the raider by their arms, legs or body, but they cannot be violent.
Out and back in
When a player is out, they leave the mat. When their team scores a point, one player returns. This revival system keeps both teams in the game.
All out
If all seven players on a team are out, the other team scores two bonus points, and the team that was all out restarts with a full side.
The empty raid
A raider who does not touch anyone and returns safely has completed an empty raid. If a team does two empty raids in a row, the next raid is a do-or-die. The raider must score a point, or they are out.
Bonus points
A raider can earn a bonus point by crossing a special line, called the bonus line, with a foot while the defending team has enough players on the mat.
Super moments
A raid that scores several points in one go is called a super raid. A tackle made when the defending team is short of players is called a super tackle. Both earn extra excitement and sometimes extra points.
Staying inbounds
Players who step outside the boundary lines are out. This is why raiders and defenders must constantly watch where they are.
That is it
With these basics, you can follow most matches. Watch the raider’s moves, notice how the defenders work together, and count the players on the mat. The rest will come with practice.