PKL 2021: 5 Terms Every Kabaddi Fan Should Know

The Pro Kabaddi League 2021 is all set to start on 22nd December in Bengaluru. The auctions are over, and eight teams will compete for the trophy this year. It is the eighth edition of PKL, and fans can’t wait to see their favourite raiders and defenders on the mat. 

The 12 teams playing this year are Gujarat Giants, Bengal Warriors, Puneri Paltan, UP Yoddha, Dabang Delhi, U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Patna Pirates, Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers, Tamil Thalaivas, and Jaipur Pink Panthers. While you are getting ready for the Kabaddi season eighth, let’s check out the five popular terms used in the PKL.

1. Baulk Line: This eight-meter line is drawn around 3.75 m from the main midline. The raider has to touch or cross the Baulk line to get a point. If the raider returns to their team without touching the Baulk line, they will lose a point to the defenders.
2. Lobby: Lobby refers to the two vertical lines drawn at the end of the court on both sides. The teams can’t enter these zones until the raider touches the defender. This 1-meter vertical section comes into play as soon as the touch has been initiated. This zone is out of bounds for the raider and defender.
3. Midline: Midline is the 10m line drawn on the court to separate two teams. The raider is supposed to cross the midline to attack the defenders and return to their teams after initiating a touch as soon as the countdown begins.
4. Do-or-die Raid: The attacking team has to perform a do-or-die raid in the third attempt, i.e. if their two attempts have gone empty. If they can’t score a point three times consecutively, the raiders will be declared out by the empire, and the opponents will get a chance to raid. Not only do they lose the chance to raid, but the raiding team will also lose a player if their do-or-die attempt fails.
5. High 5: When a defender prevents five raids consecutively, preventing the attacker from crossing the midline in a row, it is called a high 5. The Kabaddi player gets the same appreciation for scoring a high 5 as a bowler for scoring a hattrick. Surjeet Singh has achieved the highest number of high 5s in the history of PKL.