The VIVO Pro Kabaddi League 2019, is underway in all its glory. This year will be the seventh season of the multi-million dollar franchise. It has been a glorious first 6 years, enticing millions of viewers across the globe. The PKL has not only brought back the excitement revolving around one of the oldest sports of India but has modernised it in a way that people have actively taken up to. This is a quick glance through the rules, regulations and the overall working of the Pro Kabaddi League, so you don’t have any questions when you start viewing-
1)Match Rules-
Teams:
Each team starts with a matchday squad of ten to twelve members, with seven playing at any time and the rest as substitutes. A minimum of one overseas player is also mandatory in the squad.
Duration of the match:
The duration of the match is 40 minutes, divided equally in two halves of 20 minutes each, along with a 5-minute interval between halves. The teams change sides after the interval.
2)System of scoring-
Each team shall score one point for every opponent out or put out. The side, which scores an ALL-OUT, shall score two extra points. The out and revival rule will be applicable.
Each team scores one point for every bonus point awarded.
If the raider is caught when there are three or lesser defenders, the defending team gets an additional bonus point. The total points awarded in such an instance are two.
3)Other regulations:
a)Time Out
Each Team is allowed to take one “Time Out” of 90 Seconds each per match. This time out is called for by the Captain, Coach or any playing member of the team with the permission of the referee. During the time out, the Match clock remains paused and will restart on the commencement of the next raid which has to start on the blow of the whistle by the referee/umpire.
During the time out the teams should not leave the ground. In case of any violation, a technical point is awarded to the opponent team.
Official Time out can be called for by the Referee / Umpire in the event of any injury to a player, interruption by outsiders, re-lining of the ground, or any such unforeseen circumstances. The match clock will be paused for this period and will be restarted on the commencement of the next raid which has to start on the blow of the whistle by the referee/umpire.
b)Substitutions-
Each team is allowed a maximum number of 5 substitutions per match with the permission of the referee.
Substituted Players can be re-substituted by utilizing one of the remaining substitute chances out of the total 5 number of substitutions allowed in a match.
If any player is suspended or disqualified from the match, no substitution is allowed for that particular player. The team will play with less number of players.
Substitution is not allowed for players who are already out.
Match clock will be officially stopped for the duration of the substitution, which should not exceed 10 seconds. The exchange must take place just after a raider returns to his court, or during any other stoppage in play. All substitutions to be recorded by the official scorers and informed to the commentators.
In case a team has utilized all its 5 substitutes, and in the immediate raid after the final substitution, one of its players suffers an injury, in such an instance referee may choose to allow a substitute. However, the injured player will not be allowed to return and play in the remainder of the match.
c)Bonus Point:
One point shall be awarded to the raider when he crosses the bonus line. If the raider after crossing the bonus line is caught, the opponent team will also be awarded one point.
The Bonus line will be applicable when there are minimum 6 defenders on the court; the Referee/Umpire awards the bonus point after completion of such raid by showing thumb upwards towards the side which scores.
If the raider while crossing the bonus line is caught then a point will be awarded to the defending team & No Bonus point shall be given.
If the raider after crossing the bonus line puts out one or more defenders, he will get the number of points scored in addition to the bonus point for crossing the bonus line.
The raider has to cross the bonus line to score the bonus point before touching the defenders or before he is caught by the defenders. The raider will not be awarded a bonus point if he crosses the bonus line after a touch or struggle. There is no revival of a player for a bonus point.
If a player/players are suspended temporarily or disqualified from the match, then the team will play with less number of players. Such players will be counted to an award Bonus point.
4) Result:
The team, which scores the highest number of points at the end of the match, is declared as the winner.
