Pro Kabaddi League: All PKL rules explained ahead of season 12
A new season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is here, with the 12th edition kicking off on August 29, as Telugu Titans face Tamil Thalaivas in the opener. The first leg will be staged in Visakhapatnam, followed by stops in Jaipur, Chennai, and Delhi.
For newcomers, kabaddi can feel loaded with technical jargon. What exactly is a super raid? How does a bonus point work? And what’s a technical point? Here’s a quick guide to the key terms you’ll hear throughout PKL 2025.
Bonus Point
When the opposition has six or more players on the mat, the bonus line (the second black line in the opponent’s half) comes into play. If the raider places a foot beyond the bonus line without crossing it fully, the raiding team earns one bonus point — even if the raider is tackled during the move. However, bonus points do not bring back an out player.
Technical Point
A technical point is awarded to the team rather than any individual raider or defender. It is given in situations such as:
- If a player goes out of bounds before being in contact with an opponent during a raid.
Super Raid
A Super Raid occurs when a raider scores three or more points for his team in a single raid — whether through touch points, bonus points, or technical points.
Do-Or-Die Raid
After two consecutive empty raids (no points scored by either side), the next raid becomes a Do-or-Die Raid. In this situation, the raiding team must score; if the raider returns empty-handed, he is declared out, even without being tackled.
Super 10
If a raider gets 10 raid points (touch and bonus points) in a single game, then it is called a Super 10.
Super Tackle
When the defending team has three or fewer players on the mat, a successful tackle earns them two points instead of one.
High Five
If a defender gets five tackle points (inclusive of super tackle points) in a single game, then it is called a High Five.
Double
If a player (in most cases an all-rounder) gets both a Super 10 and a High Five in the same game, then the feat is called a Double.
Review System
In the league phase, each team is allowed one review per match. During the knockout stage, teams get one review per half — making it two in total.
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Besides all the usual rules and scoring systems, a few additional rules and format changes have been enforced in the league before the 12th season.
NEW RULES AND FORMAT CHANGES
New league stage structure
The league stage of the upcoming season will have 108 matches, where each team will play 18 matches.
Tie-breaking system in league stage
A comprehensive tie-breaker rule system, including the Golden Raid format, will be introduced to all league-stage matches. Previously limited only to Playoff matches, this system now ensures decisive outcomes throughout the tournament. In case of ties, teams will engage in a structured 5-raid shootout with special rules as follows:
• Both teams field 7 players with the baulk line treated as baulk line cum bonus line
• Each team nominates 5 different raiders who raid alternately
• Out and revival rules don’t apply – only points scored count
• If still tied after 5 raids, the Golden Raid rule applies
If both teams remain tied after golden raids, the winner is decided by a toss.
Simplified points table system
Teams will now be awarded 2 points for a win and 0 points for a loss.
Introduction of Play-ins & Playoffs format revamp
This season introduces a revamped playoffs format with Play-ins. For the first time, the top eight teams from the league stage will get a shot at the title, giving more franchises a chance to stay in contention.
Play-ins: Teams finishing 5th to 8th will battle in Play-in matches, with winners advancing to the Eliminators.
Mini-Qualifier: Teams in 3rd and 4th place will face off. The winner progresses, while the loser gets another chance later in the Playoffs.
Qualifier 1: The top two teams (1st vs 2nd) clash, with the winner moving straight to the Final. The loser enters Qualifier 2 for another opportunity.
In all, the playoffs will now feature three Eliminators and two Qualifiers, making the road to the trophy longer — and tougher.
Published on Aug 28, 2025