Last updated on July 14th, 2024 at 06:13 am
Kho-Kho
Kho-Kho is a game originated in ancient India and it is a very popular game in rural India. The recorded notes of Kho-kho were firstly formulated by Shree Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Baroda in 1929.
History of Kho-Kho
This game was popularized by Akhil Maharashtra Sharirak Shikshan Mandal in 1928 when they organized its tournament.
This game is yet to get an entry in Asian Games. Kho-Kho Federation of India (KKFI) was formed in 1958. This game is extremely popular in Maharashtra.
The first national for men was held in 1960 and for women in 1961. This game requires a lot of speed and endurance. It is usually played on a clay surface but nowadays a tartan surface is also used to increase its pace.
Latest Rules
- A team consists of 12 players in which two teams of 9 playing members play against each other alternately in four turns or quarters of 9 min. each. When two turns or quarters are over this is also known as inning.
- “The Chaser’ team takes a sitting position in the cross lanes (squares) with the opposite’s back in 8 squares and one player stands near the pole. They should not cut the lines while sitting.
- Runner team sends players (in groups of 3 players) for running, while other runners will wait for their turn in entry zone area.
- Chaser team attempts to catch the running players while passing on ‘kho’ from one player to another.
- Chaser players can only move in one direction without crossing the center lane. Change of direction can only be done by an active chaser or by the touch of pole or at the free zone area. They can pass on ‘kho’ by touching the back of the player and speaking ‘Kho’ simultaneously.
- Running players defend themselves from the chasers. They generally move in a zig-zag, dodging and running (behind the sitting chaser). They are permitted to cross the center lane and may change their direction within the playing field.
- As soon as the first group of three runners gets out, the new group of three runners enters the playing field before two ‘kho’s. Afterwards they are chased.
- The points are awarded by the legal touch of the chaser player to the running players.
- Fouls are early Kho, without touch Kho, changing directions, line-cut early, get-up, not spoken kho, turning of shoulder, late Kho. A player has to give Minus Kho (negative kho) to continue further.
- In case of equal points, an additional inning shall be played where time is compared to make 1 player out.
- The team with less timing will be declared winner.
Duties
Duties of Referee
There is one Referee, his duties are to check the playing field condition as per rules, supervise Umpires during conduct of play, help Umpire in the discharge of their duties, check the running player, entry from free zone, announce score and punish player under rules.
Duties of Umpire
There are two Umpires to conduct a match. They move in the lobby of each half across the centre lane. ‘They declare the legal touch or out the running player. They implement the rules of game over both teams
Duties of Timekeeper
Checks the duration of each inning, declares the end of each inning, checks the break time, notes timing in case of tie.
Duties of Scorer
Notes the order of the running team, records the points scored, sends the next group in the entry zone area as per their sequence.
Measurements And Specifications
(i) Dimension of Playing Field = 27 m x 16 m for seniors (24 m x 16 m for juniors)
(ii) Post Specification = Two wooden posts of 1.20 m to 1.25 m high with 9 to 10 em thick
(iii) Post to Post Distance and 24 m away for seniors (20 m away for Junior)
(iv) Free Zone Area = 1.50 m X 16 m (beyond Post Line) on both sides
(v) Lobby = 1.5 m on all sides to playing field (30 m X 19 m area)
(vi) Sitting block area/Square = 35 cm x 30 cm (senior) 30 cm x 30 cm (Junior)
(vii) Cross Lane = 35 cm x 16 m for Senior (30 cm x 14 m for Junior)
(viii) Central Lane = 30 cm x 24 m for senior (30 cm x 20 m for Junior)
(ix) Distance between cross lane = 2.55 m near Post and 2,30 m in others
(x) An Inning Duration = 9 minutes for Senior and 7 minutes for Junior
(xi) Interval = 6 minutes between an Inning and 3 minutes between Turns
(xii) Tie Rule = Time noted and compared for 1 player in additional inning
(xiii) No. of Players = 12 (9 Playing + 3 Substitutes)
(xiv) No. of Squares= 8 squares of 30 cm
(xv) Officials = 1 Referee, 2 Umpires, 2 Scorers, 1 Timekeeper
Terminologies
Kho : The word ‘Kho’ is spoken by one chaser to another (from running chaser to sitting chaser) to relay the running actions of the game.
Late-Kho : When active chaser delays in the touch for giving kho to another chaser, i.e., the touch and the kho are simultaneously responded together.
Line-Cut : When chaser cuts the square lines, cross lanes or center lane during chasing opponent,
Changing direction : When an active chaser goes in wrong direction against rules.
Early Get-tip : When the sitting chaser gets-up before properly getting kho, i.e., before the touch of running chaser.
Chaser : The sitting team (with eight members sitting and one running chaser) who tries to touch opponent team members who are running. chaser sits in square over cross lines with an alternative back.
Runner : The players of opposing team who save themselves from being touched by the chaser, come in groups of three runners.
Cross-Lane : The parallel lanes cutting center lane at the middle of the playing field. It is with the dimension of 16 m by 30 cm.
Centre-Lane : Two parallel lines from one pole to other. It has its dimensions of 23.50 m by 30 cm. A chaser is not supposed to touch or cross the center lane.
Lobby : The free space area around the playing field.
Free zone : The area by the sides of pole lines in which the direction rule is not followed and runners can move in any direction. It is with a dimension of 2.75 m by 16 m.
Pole : A specially made wooden cylindrical structure, firmly erected up at the sides of playing field. It is 120 cm above the ground with 10 cm thick. The distance between two poles is 23.50 m.
Square : Square shaped area by the cutting of center lane ang cross lane used for sitting of chasers. There are S squares of 30 cm each. In these, chaser sits with opposite back.
Minus-Kho : A violation of directional fault in which the chaser cannot make running player out unless kho is passed back to two teammates or touch to pole. This is termed as minus kho.
Fundamental Skills
(a) Chaser Skills : Chain Kho, Dive Touch, Pole Dive, Pivot Tapping, Sudden Change of Speed, Fake kho, Trapping, Pole Turning, etc.
(b) Running skills : Zig-Zag running, Dodging and fake running, Side dodge, Back Dodge, Position behind Chaser, Three six running, Parallel toe sitting, Bullet toe sitting
Important Personalities, Tournaments
Important Personalities
(a) Arjuna ,Avrard VCinncrs : Sudhir Parabhakar (1970), Km A.S. Devre (i 97 i). Km Bhavna Hasnukhlai Parekh (1973), Km N.C. Sarolkar (1974), Km Usha Vasant Nagarkar (1975). R.J. tnamdar (1975). S.R. Dharwadkar (1976), Km Sushma Soalkar, H.M. Takalkar (1981). Km Veena Narayan _Parab (1983), Prakash (1984), Km Surekha, Km S.B. Kulkarni (1985). Shobha Narayana (1999).
(b) Dronacharya Award Winner For Coaches : Fadke Gopal Purshotam.
Important Tournaments : National Games, Federation Cup, Shivaji Cup.
Also Read: Football History, Rules, Measurements
Final Words
From the above article you learnt about rules, history, measurements and many more about kho-kho. We hope that you will get success by giving exams based on kho-kho.