How big is a silambam court?
Officials' detail · Events and equipment · 2 of 2Events take place in a round court on a 12 m square mat. The fight starts in a yellow centre circle of 2.5 ft radius; blue and red circles at 10 and 12 ft mark the fighting area and the warning. Only one foot may cross the red circle: both feet out costs 2 marks, and a repeat disqualifies.
How it works
- Mat: 12 m by 12 m.
- Shape: round court.
- Yellow: start, 2.5 ft radius.
- Blue: 10 ft radius.
- Red: 12 ft, the warning.
- One foot out: allowed.
- Both feet out: 2 marks off.
- Free zone: 3 ft round the mat.
The glossary has the court (silambam), the WSA fencing area, the referee (silambam), the ring chairman, the judges (silambam) and the Kambu Sandai.
Tricky cases
Which side is red?
The left; blue is on the right.
Where do the judges sit?
Five seats round the court, with the ring chairman, announcer and timekeeper at the centre side.
A fighter steps out with both feet twice. Result?
Disqualification.
Is the WSA area round?
No. A mat of about 19 m by 14 m with marked lines.
Why the rule exists
A warning circle tells fighters they are near the edge before they lose marks.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School games | Round court | L S 2 |
| Both feet out | 2 marks | L S 2 |
| WSA | Rectangle, 19 by 14 m | L W 17.7 |
From the rule book
SGFI Silambam Rules and WSA Silambam Sports Rules: SGFI chapter 2; WSA article 17.7. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: SGFI Silambam Rules; WSA Silambam Sports Rules (web page).