5 raiding moves that create an impact in kabaddi

Kabaddi is a sport where the raiders are always under pressure since they are up solo against a number of defenders, all waiting to take them down at the slightest error. It has, hence, become necessary for raiders to develop a number of techniques and make decisions within fractions of a second, to keep the defenders on their toes, sometimes quite literally, and get that all important Bonus or touch point.

Here we list a few of these moves which leave spectators spell-bound and defenders grasping for answers. See if you can spot a few of them in the upcoming VIVO Pro Kabaddi season.

1. Running Hand Touch

The bread-and-butter move of any kabaddi raider, the Running Hand Touch is by far the most popular of all the hand touches. As basic as this move sounds, it requires great acceleration and stretch from the raider to get a touch on the defender before he has a chance to back off and get back equally fast to avoid being tackled.

What makes this move even more impressive is that the defenders are always looking out for it. Hence it has to be executed with lightning speed and the utmost precision

Watch Telugu Titans’ Rahul Chaudhari during VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 to see a perfectly executed Running Hand Touch.

2. Toe Touch

While the defenders are watching out for the hand, the raiders have another way to get a point by making a surprise touch using their foot. This move, known as the Toe Touch, involves the raider ducking low to escape the hands of the defender and instead attack their feet using just the tips of their toes. When used at the right time, it is one of the most effective surprise attacks in the game.

A versatile move, requiring speed, leg strength, precision and agility, it can also be used effectively to get a Bonus point if there are six or more opposition players on the mat. It’s particularly tricky to execute as the raider’s other foot needs to be off the ground when going for the Bonus, consequently requiring balance as well.

Jaipur Pink Panthers’ Anup Kumar is the man to watch for seeing the perfect Toe Touch.

3. Frog Jump

One of the most visually stunning and physically demanding moves, the Frog Jump involves a raider launching himself above an incoming defender and while in the air using his hands to propel himself off the defenders back on to safety. It needs quick judgement to chart out the escape route, ascertaining the defender off which the move can be pulled off, and physical strength coupled with flexibility to allow the raider to carry it out seamlessly. This is one of the favourite moves to escape an incoming defender’s low Block or Chain Tackle.

Rohit Kumar from Bengaluru Bulls and Ajay Thakur from Tamil Thalaivas are the ones to watch for catching the best Frog Jumps in the game.

4. Dubki

Sometimes, the only way to escape when surrounded by defenders is undoubtedly using the Dubki. A move that needs a tremendous amount of flexibility, the Dubki allows the raider to escape by going underneath a chain of defenders to evade the oncoming tackle and reach the half line. Strength of the legs and overall flexibility is paramount in this move as the raider needs to first squat down and then find the right time to use all his might and propel himself to safety.

The Dubki needs so much skill and precision that only a few raiders can successfully execute it in a match situation.

Known as the ‘Dubki King’, Patna Pirates’ Pardeep Narwal is undoubtedly the man to watch when it comes to the Dubki.

5. Scorpion Kick

Being able to effectively use the span of the leg is an essential skill for a raider, whether it is reaching low to execute a Toe Touch or to outfox a defender and use the Scorpion Kick instead.

For a Scorpion Kick, the raider turns away from the defender to face the half line and, just when the defender is expecting the foot to come low, the raider curls his leg up backward to get a touch on the crouching defender, following the trajectory of a scorpion’s sting. Equally as fast and effective, this move requires balance, flexibility and the element of surprise to come out of the blue and take down an unsuspecting defender.

Jan Kun Lee who plays for Bengal Warriors is someone who has mastered the Scorpion Kick. Watch out for him this VIVO Pro Kabaddi season.