Kabaddi Raid Types Explained: Running Hand Touch, Toe Touch, Dubki, Frog Jump and More
There is a popular saying “Adapt and Change with trends if you don’t you will fall behind” this quote is completely true when we compare this to modern day kabaddi. You certainly need to adapt and grow by stretching…
There is a popular saying “Adapt and Change with trends if you don’t you will fall behind” this quote is completely true when we compare this to modern day kabaddi.
You certainly need to adapt and grow by stretching outside your comfort zone as player at the same time you need to work on basics really well.
If the basic is not set for precedence, it will categorically fall like deck of cards for Professional Kabaddi Player.
Here in this article we will reveal Kabaddi Raid Type and different types could be shared in sequential format:
- Key Kabaddi Raiding Type:
The Key Kabaddi Raiding Type is perfect amalgamation among keeping basics and advance techniques in precedence to become top class raider.
A- Running Hand Touch: A Popular Technique among raider where player showcase swift and offensive move where they showcase rapid acceleration and faster hand extension of the hand where they tag a defender ahead of returning back to mid line.
B- Toe Touch: In this popular technique, raider have to duck low or extend their leg forward to apply swift touch on defender’s feet or shoes with their toes, and the tactic is applied to catch corners or earn bonus point.
C- Dubki: In this popular technique, where raider squats below and maneuver where they need to slide or pass against chain of defenders via underneath mode.
D- Frog Jump/Lion Jump: In this technique, raider had to bring his athletic agility on mind, where they leap launching directly over incoming defenders or group of defenders.
E- Hand Touch: In this technique, raider rely on upper body tag against defenders where reflexes are needed to test, turn and stooping down against group of defenders.
F- Back Kick & Sidekick: This Popular technique, where raider repeatedly apply Kicking sideways/backways against defenders to earn quick points for their side.
G- Scorpion Kick: In this technique, raider faces away from defenders, where technically they apply upper body forward and whips one leg upward and backward over their shoulder. The tactic is applied to catch corner defender especially the one who is out of range.
H- Feint and Touch: In this technique, where a psychological move is applied by raider, where they need to attack against defender on one side of the mat, forcing the defense to shift before instantly striking at the opposite direction.
2. Strategic Raid Situations:
‘The Strategic Raid Situations where specific body dynamics along with high context and pressure situation all are taken into consideration to become formidable raider.
We have witness these situations being applied across- Do or Die Raid Situation, Super Raid and Bonus raid where categorically we will explain each and everything in sequential format.
A- Do or Die Raid: It automatically after same team unable to score raid point on back to back 2 occasions, the next one is touted as Do or Die in case raider is unable to score points they are termed as out.
B- Super Raid: When raider score 3 or more than 3 points in one single raid under 30 second time arena, they are termed as Super Raid. The move once it is successfully applied it makes spaces wide open for defenders.
C- Bonus Raid: When raider crosses the bonus line, where one foot is trailing in the air to score an extra point where there is no contact laid out against defender also the points will work only 6 or more than 6 players are active on mat.
Modern Kabaddi requires physical excellence alongside high-level strategy. Today’s elite raiders combine physical conditioning with game analysis to maintain a competitive edge.
The demands of a 40-minute professional match require targeted physical preparation:
A strong core allows raiders to absorb heavy tackles near the mid-line and extend their limbs safely during Scorpion or Toe Touches.
A raider must maintain continuous physical output while holding their breath or maintaining a steady cant for up to 30 seconds per raid.
Beyond physical execution, professional raiding relies heavily on strategy and mental performance:
Video analysis allows raiders to study defensive cover habits, identifying which defenders tend to dive early or leave gaps in the chain.
Managing the 30-second raid clock is essential. Fast-paced raids break down organized defenses, while slow, methodical raids consume time when holding a lead.
High-pressure moments like Do-or-Die situations test a raider’s mental discipline.
Success depends on staying composed, reading defensive setups, and executing technique without hesitation.
| Raid Type | Technique / Execution | Main Purpose or Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Running Hand Touch | The raider uses swift acceleration and a rapid hand extension to tag a defender before returning to the midline. | A quick, offensive technique used to catch defenders off guard and score fast raid points. |
| Toe Touch | The raider ducks low or extends a leg forward to touch a defender’s feet or shoes with the toes. | Useful for targeting corner defenders or earning a bonus point. |
| Dubki | The raider squats low and slides or manoeuvres underneath a chain of defenders. | Helps the raider escape a tight defensive chain and avoid tackles. |
| Frog Jump / Lion Jump | The raider leaps directly over an incoming defender or a group of defenders. | Uses explosive agility to bypass defenders and create scoring opportunities. |
| Hand Touch | The raider relies on upper-body tagging, reflexes, turning and stooping against defenders. | Allows the raider to test defenders and score through quick contact. |
| Back Kick & Side Kick | The raider repeatedly kicks backwards or sideways towards defenders. | Helps earn quick points, especially when defenders move close to the raider. |
| Scorpion Kick | Facing away from defenders, the raider bends the upper body forward and whips one leg upward and backward over the shoulder. | Effective for catching corner defenders, particularly those positioned slightly out of normal reach. |
| Feint and Touch | The raider attacks one side of the mat to force defenders to shift, then instantly strikes in the opposite direction. | A psychological move that creates space by misleading the defence. |
| Do-or-Die Raid | Occurs after a team fails to score a raid point on two consecutive raids. If the raider does not score, they are declared out. | Creates high pressure on the raider and can shift momentum strongly towards the defending team. |
| Super Raid | A raider scores three or more points in a single raid within the 30-second raid period. | Can remove multiple defenders at once and open up the mat for future raids. |
| Bonus Raid | The raider crosses the bonus line with one foot trailing in the air, without contact from defenders. The point is valid only when six or more defenders are on the mat. | Provides an additional scoring option and helps teams maintain pressure during raids. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Kabaddi Raiding Skills (FAQ):
Q-1: What are different type of Raiding Skills in Kabaddi?
Answer: Different Type of Raiding Skills any Kabaddi player include- Running Hand Touch, Toe Touch, Dubki, Frog Jump, Lion Jump, High Jump, Scorpion Kick, Back and Side Kick and Many More
All these techniques as raider is perfect amalgamation for someone who can keep their basics intact along with innovative raiding skills on the forefront.
Q-2: What Kind of strategic raid, player has to perform when it comes to PKL and Indian Kabaddi?
Answer: The Strategic raid which every player had to imbibe considering todays time frame and arena like PKL or even playing at bigger stage where you need to be good across factors like- Do or Die raid, super raid and Bonus raid barring the rules needed to make those advancements.
Q-3: Talk a little bit whether enrolling in good coaching academy is extremely important or not?
Answer: The answer remains, Good coaching academy with reputations is extremely important when it comes to learning the nuances related to raiding where they can understand their body type understand more about their agility.
Good Coaches are extremely important to guide any player especially their offensive prowess, where they can make name for themselves.
My Perspective:
In Kabaddi, raiding is the core offensive action and the primary mechanism for scoring points.
A raid occurs when a single offensive player—the raider—crosses the mid-line into the opposing team’s half, attempts to touch one or more defenders, and returns safely to their home court without being tackled or running out of breath.
The defining characteristic of Kabaddi is the continuous repetition of the word “Kabaddi” on a single breath, known as the cant.
The raider must start chanting before crossing the mid-line and maintain a clear, audible cant throughout the attack.
Pausing or running out of breath results in an immediate out, giving a point to the defending team.
Each raid is strictly capped at 30 seconds.
The raider must complete their movement, touch a defender, and return across the mid-line before time expires.
To make a raid valid, the raider must cross the baulk line with at least one foot fully over the line while the other foot is in the air, or touch an opposing defender.
If a raider fails to cross the baulk line without making contact, they are declared out.
Situated behind the baulk line, crossing this line grants 1 bonus point, provided the defending team has at least 6 players active on the mat.
A raider scores 1 point for every defender they touch (via hand touch, toe touch, or kick) before returning safely to their court. Every touched defender is eliminated and sent to the sitting block
Eliminating defenders allows the raider’s team to revive their own previously eliminated players, returning them to the mat in the order they were tagged out.
Overall the art of raiding does posses equal dimensions which involves- Basics and innovative raids.
Raider shelf life is less as compare to other players so as raider you need to have swift agility and movement towards defenders where they can latch up the opportunity.
For any raider to become top class player they need to find out balance and understanding the attacking and defensive prowess of the game.
Kabaddi Raiding would also incorporate sports science, AI and many more where raiders need to apply themselves really keeping other innovative move in mind where they can decode defenders and score points against them on consistent basis.
Raiding is subtle art of knowing how to apply yourself really well especially in crunch phase of the game.