Question

Explain the general rules and regulations of Kho-Kho.

Answer 1

1. Team composition: Each team has 12 players; 9 players take part in play and the others are substitutes.
2. Choice of play: The toss-winning captain chooses whether the team will chase (attack) or run (defend).
3. Chasing formation: Nine chasers take part in the attack. Eight sit in the boxes along the central lane, facing in alternate directions, while one is the active chaser.
4. Giving Kho: The active chaser gives a vocal “Kho” and taps a seated teammate on the back before taking that player’s place. If the seated player moves before the Kho is completed, it is an early Kho violation.
5. Direction of chase: A chaser may not change direction while chasing, but may change direction in the free zones beyond the poles.
6. How a runner is out: A runner is out if touched by a chaser or if any part of the runner’s body touches or moves outside the playing area while defending.
7. Turns and duration: Each team gets a chasing turn and a running turn. Each turn lasts 9 minutes. Running players enter in groups of three; the next group enters when the previous group is out.
8. Substitution: Runners may be substituted before their order is given to the officials. Chasers may be substituted during the game.
9. After being out: A runner who is out sits in the lobby assigned to the runner’s group.
10. Officials: A match has 2 umpires, 1 referee, 1 timekeeper and 1 scorer.
11. Result: The team scoring the higher number of points at the end of the match wins. A chaser scores by putting a runner out.