🏆 Baibalaa Rules & Gameplay

Introduction

Baibalaa is a traditional Maldivian sport played on a circular sand court (the ring). It is a fast, intense, and physical game that requires strength, agility, and strategy to eliminate opponents.

Game Format

Team Composition

• Each team consists of 10 active players per match.
• Players can be substituted as per tournament rules.

Game Duration

• Every round lasts 6 minutes in total.
• Time is stopped whenever the game is not in play.

Gameplay & Scoring

✅ Starting the Game

• The match begins with one team inside the ring (defenders) and the other team outside (attackers).
• The defending team starts with 10 points, while the attacking team starts with 0 points.

✅ Attacking & Defending

• One raider (attacker) enters the ring at a time.
• The raider's goal is to tag defenders and safely return outside the ring.
• If the raider successfully tags a defender and exits the ring:
  • The tagged defender is out.
  • The defending team's points decrease by the number of players tagged.
  • The attacking team gains points equal to the number of players tagged.
  • The attacking team can revive the same number of eliminated players.
• If the defenders catch and hold the raider inside the ring:
  • The attacking raider is eliminated.
  • The defending team earns 1 point.

✅ Winning a Round

• A round ends when:
• All defenders are eliminated.
• If the attacking team has more points, they may choose to send in a raider but not attack, causing the defending team to forfeit the round.
• Time runs out.
• If a team wins 2 rounds, they win the match.
• If both teams win 1 round each, the match goes to a penalty round (Gadha Hifun).

🏅 Gadha Hifun (Penalty Round)

Selecting Players

• Each team selects 5 players for the penalty round.
• Players are used in a fixed order decided before the penalties begin.
• The 5th player will only play if the 5th penalty is required; otherwise, they will not take part.

Deciding the Turn

• A draw is conducted to decide which team starts with attack or defence.

Penalty Format

• A total of 4 penalties are played initially (each team gets 2 attacks and 2 defences).
• Each team must complete both attacking and defending turns.

Penalty Rules

• The attacker has 15 seconds to tag the defender and return outside the ring.
• If the attacker successfully tags and escapes within the time limit, the attacker’s team scores a point.
• If the defender holds the raider inside the ring for 15 seconds, the defender’s team wins the round.

Winning the Penalty Round

• The team that wins 3 out of 4 penalties is declared the winner.
• If both teams win 2 penalties each, a final deciding penalty is played.
• A draw is held again to decide the final attacking team for the deciding penalty.