Who are the officials in a kabaddi match?
A · Advanced · Fouls, officials and ties · 4 of 4A kabaddi match has one referee, two umpires, one scorer, two assistant scorers, two line umpires and four table officials. The umpires give the decisions on the court. The referee supervises the match and can overrule in special circumstances or when the two umpires disagree.
How it works
- Umpires: conduct the match and give decisions under the rules of play.
- Finality: "The decision of the umpires on the field will be final".
- Referee: takes the toss, supervises the whole match, announces substitutions and the score and calls each minute of the last five minutes of the second half.
- Referee's overrule: in special circumstances in the best interest of the game, or when the two umpires disagree.
- Scorer: keeps the score sheet and announces the score at the end of each half.
- Assistant scorers: one for each team. They record who is out and in what order, seat out players in that order and take off players who go out of bounds.
- Line umpires: point out a player who goes out of bounds.
- Cards and technical points: the referee and the umpires can warn, give technical points, suspend and disqualify.
The glossary has the referee, the warning cards, the technical point, the sitting block, the out player and the boundary.
Tricky cases
The two umpires disagree on whether a raider reached the mid line. Who decides?
The referee. A disagreement between the umpires is one of the cases where the referee gives the decision.
Can a player ask the umpire to look again?
Yes, within limits. A "legitimate appeal" is allowed. Persistently addressing the officials about a decision, or pointing and gesturing to demand one, can bring a card.
Who tells a player they are out for stepping over the line?
The umpire or referee calls the player's number, and the assistant scorer takes the player off. No whistle is blown.
Is there a video review?
No, not in this rule book. Televised leagues have their own review rules, which are not in it.
Why the rule exists
Kabaddi needs more than one pair of eyes because several things happen in a second: a touch, a foot on a line, a broken chant. The umpires watch the play, and the assistant scorers hold the one record the players cannot be trusted to keep, the order of revival.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard kabaddi | Referee, two umpires, scorer, two assistant scorers, two line umpires, four table officials | Technical Officials 4a |
| Indoor, beach and circle style | Referee, two umpires, scorer, two assistant scorers | Technical Officials 4b to 4d |
| Out of bounds | No whistle; the number is called | IKF Rule 27 |
| Breaking of the cant | Palm in front of the throat, with a sharp short whistle | Signals |
| Pro Kabaddi League | Video review of decisions | C; not in this book |
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), Rule 27 and the Technical Officials and Signals chapters. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules and Regulations of All Forms of Kabaddi (PDF, a scan).