NHSF 2017 - International Rules

IC Kabaddi always strive to improve the quality of kabaddi played at the university level and for 2017, we are updating the NHSF competition rules to meet the standards of international kabaddi.

The Pitch

Terms

Baulk line - Line parallel to the midline which the raider must cross during the raid (known as ‘checking’ done with a trailing foot in the air)
Bonus line - Line parallel to the baulk line which is active when there are 6 or more defenders on court. If a raider crosses this line (with a trailing foot in the air), a bonus point is awarded.
The bonus will not be awarded if a struggle is initiated during the bonus attempt.
The bonus cannot be acquired after a touch/struggle is initiated.

Cant - The repeated chanting of the approved word “Kabaddi”. The chanting should be without break, at a stretch, and clear aloud sounding. The raider must begin the cant before crossing the midline and return with the cant held.
Raid - When a raider enters the opponent’s half with the cant held and is restricted to 30 seconds before the raider must return to their own half or will be declared out.
Empty Raid - When a raider crosses the baulk line at least once and returns to their own half with the cant without scoring any points.
Touch - When a raider touches any part of the defender with any part of their own body, the defender is declared OUT if the raider returns to their own half with the cant.
Struggle - When one or more defenders initiates a contact against the raider.
Tackle - When one or more defenders successfully prevents the raider from returning to their own half with the cant; the raider is declared OUT.
Lobby - 1 metre of matted surface on both sides of the court which is only active once a touch/struggle is initiated. Raiders/defenders must not step into the lobby before this time.
Pursuit - When a defender rushes into the opponent’s court with cant, chasing the returning raider with a view to touch. Pursuit is not possible after a struggle.

Super Raid - When a raider scores three or more touch points in a raid; no bonus points are awarded.
Super Tackle - When there are three or fewer defenders left on the pitch who successfully tackle a raider, one bonus point is awarded.
Do-or-Die Raid - After two consecutive empty raids for a team, on the third raid, the raider of that team must score at least one point or will be declared OUT and a point will be awarded to the opposition team.

Rules of Play

For Raiders

If the cant is broken during the raid, the raider will be declared OUT and the opposing team will be awarded a technical point.
If more than one raider crosses the midline during a raid, the raiders will be called back and the opposing team will be awarded a technical point. The opposing team will raid.
If the raider steps out of the playing area, they will be declared OUT and the opposing team will be awarded a technical point.
To secure raid points, the raider must cross through the midline with any body part with the cant.
A pursuit is allowed if the previous raid did not end in a struggle.
The raider may use any part of the body during the raid and touch the raider anywhere (i.e. kicks are allowed above waist height).

For Defenders

If the defender steps out of the playing area, they will be declared OUT immediately and the opposing team will be awarded a technical point. The defender will be pulled out of the raid which will continue.
If the defender crossed the midline while holding the raider, the raider will be declared NOT OUT, and the defender(s) who crossed the midline will be declared OUT.
One point will be awarded to the raiding team for every defender declared OUT and will revive an equivalent number of players (this rule will be demonstrated on the day to avoid any confusion).
The defender can ‘push-out’ the raider by ensuring the raider’s entire body is out of the playing area.
Defenders must not stifle a raider’s cant.
Defenders must not hold a raider by their hair/clothes.

General Knockout Rules

When players are eliminated, they must sit in the sitting block in the order of elimination.
When players are revived, it is in the order of elimination.
If all the players in a team are knocked-out, two bonus points are awarded for the ‘all out’.
The team that were knocked out will be revived with all seven players back on the pitch.

Match Rules

Each playing team shall consist of seven players with up to two substitutes.
A maximum of two substitutions can be made per game.
Each match will last 9 minutes with 4 minute 30 second halves and a 1 minute interval.
The last raid of each half will be allowed to be completed even after the timer has run down.
The team that wins the toss shall have the choice of the court or the raid and the team that loses will have the remaining choice.
At half time, court and first raid will be swapped.
The game in the second half will continue with the same number of players on court as at the end of the first half.
Each team shall score one point and revive one player for every opponent declared OUT.
Players are not revived when a technical point is scored.
Players are not revived when a bonus point is scored.

Officials

There will be two referees and one technical official.
The referees’ decision is final. The rules leave little room for judgement calls to be made. Feel free to clarify any confusions in advance.
Video evidence cannot be used to change referee decisions.
Poor sportsmanship, arguing and bad conduct (persistent protesting, making derogatory remarks, violent tackling) may lead to warnings/disqualifications.
The technical official is responsible for scoring/time-keeping.
Linesmen will monitor the baulk, bonus and endlines and are responsible for pulling out players if they step out of the playing area.

Hand Signals

Familiarise yourself with the hand signals that will be used by the referee.

Out of Bounds - Raise both arms with palms towards the body, showing the action of 'away'.

Declare points & outs - Raise one hand to indicate the number of outs/points. With the other hand, indicate the team that scored by pointing horizontally towards that side.