Can a defender chase the raider back across the mid line in kabaddi?
A · Advanced · Raiding and defending · 1 of 4Only in one case. A defender may rush after a returning raider into the raider's half, chanting the cant, to touch them. That is a pursuit, and it is allowed only if the defenders did not try to hold the raider. Otherwise a defender who touches the raider's half during a raid is out.
How it works
- During a raid: "none of the defender(s) will touch the raider's half". Any who do are out, and the raiding team gets a point for each.
- Pursuit: a defender "rushes into the opponent's half with cant", without breaking a rule, to touch the returning raider.
- Not after an attempted hold: "Pursuit is not allowed if defender(s) attempt to hold the raider."
- After a touch: a raider who touched a defender and got home safely "may be pursued".
- After an escape: a raider who was caught, broke free and reached home "will not be pursued".
- A defender who crossed cannot catch: if they hold the raider or help to, the raider is not out and those defenders are out.
The glossary has the pursuit, the mid line, the defender, the cant, the escape and the raider.
Tricky cases
A defender lunges for the raider's ankle and their hand lands in the raider's half before the raid ends. Out?
Yes. A defender who touches the raider's half before the raid is complete is out, and the raiding team gets the point.
Three defenders hold the raider, who slips free and gets home. Can a fourth chase?
No. Once defenders have tried to hold, pursuit is not allowed.
A raider touches a defender and turns for home. Can that defender chase them over the line?
Yes. A raider who touched a defender and got back "may be pursued". The pursuer must have the cant.
A defender pursues but forgets to chant. Is the tag good?
No. A pursuit is made "with cant". Without it the defender has entered the raider's half with no right to be there.
Why the rule exists
The mid line is the raider's finishing line, and it would mean nothing if defenders could follow a held raider over it. Pursuit keeps one old feature of the game alive: a raider who has scored and relaxes on the way home can still be tagged by a quick counter-raid.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Defender touches the raider's half during the raid | Out; a point to the raiding team for each | IKF Rule 40 |
| That defender then holds the raider | Raider not out; the defender is out | IKF Rule 41 |
| Raider touched a defender and got home | May be pursued | IKF Rule 18; 36 |
| Raider escaped from a hold | May not be pursued | IKF Rule 18; 36 |
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 18, 36, 40 and 41. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules and Regulations of All Forms of Kabaddi (PDF, a scan).