Explaining defensive positions in Kabaddi and their significance

Covers

The ‘covers’ of the team usually take up the positions inside of the ‘corners’ and ‘ins’ on both the sides of the mat and act as a support system to the chain comprised of the former (corner and in).

However, their primary responsibility is to save their star raiders, who take up the safest position on the mat i.e ‘center’, from getting touched out by the opposition raiders.

Some of the teams even use their ‘cover’ defenders to take up raids in order to give some much-needed rest to their star raiders or to save them for do-or-die raids. Telugu Titans’ Sandeep Narwal can be a prime example of a cover who raids a lot in the match for the same purpose.

Main Moves: Double knee hold, waist hold

Notable Players: Sandeep Narwal, Manjeet Chhillar, Vishal Mane, Bajirao Hogade

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Ins

The ‘ins’ of the team usually comprise of the raiders, who form a chain with the ‘corners’ and help them maintain their balance on the mat. With the chain formed, they help the corners contain the opponent’s raiders, and also try to block the raiders in their tracks.

It also forces the raider to go for the much more difficult moves such as the dubki or a jump in order to score touch points.

Main Moves: Chain support

Notable Players: Jang Kun Lee, Rajesh Mondal, Anup Kumar

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