School Kabaddi with Bonus Line and Revivals
A no-tackle school version of the South Asian game of kabaddi: one raider enters the other half chanting 'kabaddi' nonstop, tags defenders, and returns, while the defense tries to trap the raider in a chain. Students work on dodging, team defense, managing risk, and a game from another culture.
How to play
- Draw a 12 x 8 m court with a midline, a must-cross line 3 m (10 ft) from it in each half, and a bonus line 1 m beyond that; make 4 teams of 6 on two courts (3 min).
- Raid: the raider crosses the midline chanting 'kabaddi, kabaddi...' out loud, must pass the must-cross line, and has 20 seconds to tag defenders and get back; each tag is 1 point.
- No-tackle capture: two defenders holding hands touch the raider at the same time with their free hands before the raider gets back; the defense scores 1 and the raider is out.
- Bonus line: if the raider steps on it with 5 or more defenders on court, they score 1 extra point. Each point scored brings one teammate who is out back in.
- Teams alternate raids; play two 4-minute halves and switch opponents (16 min). Close with the game's roots in South Asia (2 min).
Rules
- No grabbing, pushing, or tackling; tag with an open hand only.
- If the raider stops chanting or goes over 20 seconds, the raid is lost.
- Defenders do not cross the midline during a raid.
- No one sits out more than one raid in a row: if the other team fails to score on two raids, one player comes back in.
Variations
Easier
Raids last 30 seconds and crossing the must-cross line is optional.
Standard
20-second raids, bonus line, and revivals for every point.
Harder
A capture requires a chain of three defenders holding hands.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: serve as line judge, tracking time and the raider's chant.
- Hearing impairment: the raider wears a colored pinnie and the judge shows time with a raised hand.
- Fitness level: 10-second raids or a fixed defender role near the end line.
Learning goals
- Dodge and tag quickly while managing time and risk.
- Coordinate a partner capture without unsafe contact.
- Learn about a traditional game from another culture and its origins.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 16
- pinnies: 12
- stopwatches: 2
- chalk: 4
Teacher tip
Make sure captures are tags, not grabs; if contact gets rough, redo the raid. Raiders often run out of breath, so allow recovery time between raids.
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