Kabbadi involves skills and powers of two teams and combines the characteristics of wrestling and rugby. It was originally meant to develop self defense, in addition to responses to attack, and reflexes of counter attack by individuals, and by groups or teams. It is a rather simple and inexpensive game, and neither requires a massive playing area, nor any expensive equipment. This explains the popularity of the game in rural areas. Kabaddi is played all over Asia with minor variations.

Kabaddi is also known by various names such as Chedugudu or Hu-Tu-Tu in southern parts of India, Hadudu (Men) and Chu - Kit-Kit (women) in eastern India, and Kabaddi in northern India. Jhoo played in Iran, and Cattlefish played in Korea are very similar to Kabaddi.