Chain-Defense Kabaddi
A school version of kabaddi in which defenders hold hands in pairs or groups of three and try to surround the raider without grabbing. The raider must tag someone and return home; students practice dodging, chain coordination, and controlled contact.
How to play
- Courts 33 x 26 ft split by a chalk midline, with teams of 6 (five courts, or four plus one team refereeing).
- The raider crosses the line and from that moment repeats "kabaddi" quietly without stopping or counts to 10; when it runs out, they must go back.
- Defenders form chains of 2 or 3 holding hands. The raider earns 1 point for each defender tagged with a hand or foot, as long as they get back across the line.
- The chain earns 1 point if it surrounds the raider: both ends tag the raider's back or shoulders at the same time with their free hands, without grabbing.
- If a chain lets go of hands, that tag does not count. Teams alternate raids; everyone raids at least twice.
- Play two 5-minute halves with 1 minute to plan the defense, then switch opponents.
Rules
- Never grab clothing, push, or trip: tag only with an open hand.
- Foot tags are made at ankle or calf height, never above the knee.
- If the raider falls, play stops immediately.
- Nobody is out: a tagged player stays in and only the point counts.
Variations
Easier
Chains of two, and the raider has 12 seconds.
Standard
Chains of 2 or 3, a 10-count, and a double tag from the chain to stop the raider.
Harder
Add a bonus line 10 ft from the midline: if the raider touches it and gets home without being surrounded, they earn an extra point.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student raids using hand tags only, and the chain must be three players to surround them.
- Hearing impairment: replace the spoken count with a teammate counting down from 10 on their fingers.
- Lower skill: the raider may return across any part of the line, not just the center.
Learning goals
- Dodge with fakes and changes of direction to tag and get back.
- Coordinate the chain's movement to close gaps without letting go.
- Control the force of contact by following the safety rules.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 20
- pinnies: 25
- chalk: 5
Teacher tip
Explain that real kabaddi uses holds, but in class they are replaced by tags, which is the key to keeping it safe. Watch that chains do not yank each other's arms when turning.
PatioLab has "Chain-Defense Kabaddi" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Middle School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
Two groups of three, one on each side of the net, work together to keep the longest rally possible in three phases: one touch, two touches, and three touches per side.
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.