What is a do-or-die raid in kabaddi?
B · Beginner · Raiding and defending · 8 of 9An empty raid is one where the raider crosses the baulk line and gets home without anyone scoring. After two empty raids in a row by a team, its third raid is a do-or-die raid. That raider must score. If they do not, they are out, and the other team gets a point and a player back.
How it works
- Empty raid: the raider crosses the baulk line at least once and reaches home with the cant "without scoring or losing a point".
- Productive raid: a raid in which either team scores.
- Do-or-die raid: "The third raid after 2 empty raids by a side".
- Failing it: the raider is out if they neither score nor lose a point, or take more than 30 seconds.
- The cost: a point to the opponents, and one of their out players is revived.
- Half-time: the count of raids starts again from one after the break.
The glossary has the empty raid, the do-or-die raid, the raid, the baulk line, the revival and the escape.
Tricky cases
A team has two empty raids before half-time. Is its first raid after the break do-or-die?
No. "The Raid count after the break will restart from 1."
On a do-or-die raid the raider scores only a bonus point. Is the raider out?
No. The raider is out only if they do "not score or lose any point". A bonus point is a score, so the raid is productive.
A raider makes an empty raid, the next scores, the next is empty. Is the fourth raid do-or-die?
No. The two empty raids have to come one after the other. A productive raid in between breaks the run.
On a do-or-die raid the raider is caught. Is the penalty doubled?
No. The raider is out and the defence scores its point for the catch, as on any raid.
Why the rule exists
A team in front could run the clock down with one safe raid after another. The do-or-die raid puts a limit on that: after two safe raids the third has to be an attack, and the defence knows it is coming.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First and second raids with no score | Empty raids; nobody is out | IKF Rule 16 |
| Third raid with no score | Raider out; point and a revival to the opponents | IKF Rule 20; 39 |
| After half-time | The count restarts | IKF Rule 20 |
| Tie-breaker raids | No do-or-die rule is stated; each raid is scored on its own | IKF Rule 55 |
From the rule book
Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, Rules and Regulations of All Forms of Kabaddi (version 2.1.0, the International Kabaddi Federation rules, 2017), Rules 16, 17, 20, 39 and 55. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules and Regulations of All Forms of Kabaddi (PDF, a scan).