What counts as a touch in kabaddi?
I · Intermediate · Raiding and defending · 2 of 7A touch is any contact between the raider and a defender, with any part of the body or even clothing or shoes. It only scores if the raider then gets back to their own half with the cant. Contact started by a defender counts too, and it opens the lobbies for the rest of the raid.
How it works
- A touch: the raider touches a defender "by any part of his body or even the clothing, shoes or any other outfit".
- It works both ways: a defender who touches the raider is also out, if the raider gets home.
- Getting home: the defender is out only when the raider touches their own half with the cant.
- Struggle: the name for defenders coming into contact with the raider.
- The lobbies open: "After touch or struggle the lobbies become part of the FOP."
- Before contact: the lobbies are outside the playing area, so stepping into one is going out of bounds.
- After the raid: players may use the lobbies to return to their own halves.
The glossary has the touch, the struggle, the lobby, the hand touch, the toe touch and the running hand touch.
Tricky cases
A raider's foot brushes a defender's shoe and nothing else. Is that a touch?
Yes. Clothing and shoes count, on either player.
A defender grabs the raider's wrist and loses grip, and the raider gets home. Who is out?
The defender. Any defender who touched the raider is out once the raider is home with the cant.
A raider who has touched nobody steps into the lobby to dodge. Out?
Yes. With no touch or struggle, the lobby is not part of the field, so the raider has gone out of bounds.
A raider touches one defender and then four more join the hold before the raider breaks free and gets home. How many are out?
Five. Every defender who came into contact with the raider is out.
Why the rule exists
The lobbies keep the court narrow while raider and defenders are circling, which stops a raider from escaping down the side untouched. Once there is contact, the extra metre on each side gives room for a wrestle to play out without everyone tumbling out of bounds at once.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before any touch or struggle | Lobbies are out of bounds | IKF Rule 4b |
| After a touch or struggle | Lobbies are part of the field for that raid | IKF Rule 4b; 15 |
| After the raid or struggle is over | Players may walk back through the lobbies | IKF Rule 31 |
| Beach kabaddi | No lobbies | Same book, beach chapter (opening pages only read) |
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 4b, 11, 14, 15 and 31. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules and Regulations of All Forms of Kabaddi (PDF, a scan).