In the chasing team, 8 sit in the central lane and 1 is the active chaser. Eight of the 12 chasing team members kneel in a row down the middle of the court, length-wise, alternating in which direction they face. A ninth player on the chasing team, which is referred as the chaser, stands beside one of the wooden poles that are positioned on opposite sides of the field. The chaser is the player who will pursue and attempt to tag the players on the opposing team. The chaser is allowed to run only in the direction that they are facing and in one direction through the center line where his eight teammates are positioned.

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They cannot stop and run in the opposite direction or cut across the line of teammates. The rules and regulations of Kho Kho establish a detailed system that governs how the format is conducted at formal levels. Every component—ranging from player roles to court dimensions—is precisely defined.

The winning captain puts his hands up and points their index finger towards either the central line, signaling a chase, or the sidelines, signaling a defence. Eight players take up crouching positions in eight small rectangles formed by the intersection of the central and cross lanes. A senior international Kho Kho match has two innings separated by a brief break. Each inning has two turns, lasting nine minutes each, where teams alternate between chasing and defending. The team with the most points at the end of the two innings wins the match. The English version includes detailed explanations of movement restrictions, role-based actions, and officiating responsibilities.

Kho-Kho: The traditional game of run and chase

The modern format adopted by the Kho Kho Federation of India follows a structured approach that includes timed turns, fixed team compositions, and clearly marked field dimensions. Each match consists of two innings, and each inning includes both attacking and defending turns of seven minutes. Teams are composed of fifteen participants, with seven attackers and twelve defenders taking the field. Players are seated in alternating directions along the central lane, forming a staggered layout that supports smooth transitions during active play. The active chaser begins from one of the free zones located behind each post.

The central lane connecting them is 24 metres long and 30 centimetres wide. Each team alternates between chasing and defending in seven-minute turns, with movement restrictions, valid tags, and strategic use of passes called Kho for direction changes. During a match, 7 attackers take the field while defenders enter in batches of 3 due to turn. How to play Kho Kho is a question often asked by those curious about this dynamic traditional game rooted in the Indian subcontinent. Known for its fast-paced action and strategic depth, Kho Kho involves two sides alternating between chasing and defending across a marked court. One of the most popular traditional sports of India is called Kho-Kho.

However, it is bound by a strict set of rules rather than being a free-for-all playground game. It is especially helpful for coaches, team officials, and referees who need clear, consistent standards for match management. The PDF ensures that all matches—regardless of region—follow the same structure, offering fairness and transparency. It can be used in educational settings, training sessions, and national-level competitions to maintain uniformity. Runners, on the other hand, enter in groups of three and must avoid contact using sharp turns, rapid acceleration, and positional awareness. how to play kho kho They move around a marked area, using the posts and lane structure to their advantage.

Player movement on the court follows specific directional principles. Attackers must choose a path and commit to it, with defined actions allowed only under set conditions. The aim for attackers is to dismiss all defenders by touching them without breaking any rules. Each side has a limited time to complete their turn, making every movement and decision on the field highly tactical.

Advanced Kho Kho Rules & Regulations

Its origins trace back to ancient times, with mentions in classical texts and early versions once played using chariots. Over time, the format evolved, reaching a modern standard in 1914 under the guidance of Pune’s Deccan Gymkhana club. This structured form introduced rules, a fixed field layout, and formal team compositions. The defenders send out three of their 12 players, or “dodgers,” out on the field at a time.

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Runners enter from a designated zone on the edge of the field and must keep within boundaries to avoid being ruled out. Kho Kho rules define the structure and conduct of a competitive team-based activity rooted in Indian tradition. This fast-paced chase format requires precision, awareness, and physical discipline from both sides. The field layout, player movement, scoring system, and officiating all follow a strict framework to ensure fair play. Kho-Kho rules outline the responsibilities of match officials and procedures for scoring and substitutions.

Quick Decision-Making

No one knows the origins of this sports but it is believed to be a modified form of “Run-Chase”, a simpler form that involves chasing and touching a person. The game was played on “raths” or chariots in ancient times in Maharashtra and was called “Rathera”. This game fosters many desirable traits such as sportsmanship, teamwork, loyalty, competitiveness, and self-esteem as well as speed, agility, strategy and quick thinking.

The structure is designed to ensure fair competition and enhance player coordination during timed intervals. These formal instructions are critical not just in official tournaments and in early-stage training programmes. More than 25 countries are officially active in Kho Kho, including regions across Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas with structured federations and national teams. The objective is not only to tag the opponents but to do so while respecting the layout of the court and the structure of the game.

If a defender is touched, they are out, and the chasing team scores a point. Once all three defenders are eliminated, the next batch takes their place on the field. In competitive environments, the presence of a regulated system ensures equal opportunity for all sides and promotes fairness in scoring and officiating. This consistency assists officials in maintaining control of the match, while teams benefit from a predictable structure.

• Thanks to formal federations and structured rulebooks, the game has made its way to various continents.
• The poles must be cylindrical, smooth, and 120 to 125 centimetres tall.
• Kho Kho requires a strong understanding of technical movement, precise coordination, and adherence to established guidelines.
• The objective is not only to tag the opponents but to do so while respecting the layout of the court and the structure of the game.
• The ninth chaser called the attacking or active chaser, starts the match from one of the free zones.
• These guidelines cover movement, substitutions, penalties, scoring, time management, and officiating roles.

The chaser team member is not to go through their sitting team members failing to it is a penalty. He can only turn back and chase after he touches the pole at either end of the line. Chasers pursue without crossing central lanes or changing direction, while defenders avoid tags within boundaries. The goal is to chase and tag defenders within a limited time using strategic movement, legal switches, and direction rules, while defenders aim to avoid being tagged.

A game of Kho Kho is not just about running or tagging – it’s a sport that combines speed with intelligence and strategy. Kho Kho, a traditional Indian sport with origins that date back thousands of years, is a game of speed, strategy, and teamwork. The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup is set to take place in 2025, from January 13 to 19, at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi.

• Eight sit in the central lane in crouched positions, alternately facing opposite ends of the field.
• Giving a kho is the only legal way to transfer chasing responsibilities without using the free zone.
• These posts stand at a height of approximately 120 to 125 cm and help chasers shift direction under regulated conditions.
• A five minute rest period is provided in between innings and two minutes of rest in between half innings, when the teams alternate between chasing and defense.
• The inaugural world event took place in early 2025, featuring competitive matches with organized squads from multiple nations.
• How to play Kho Kho is a question often asked by those curious about this dynamic traditional game rooted in the Indian subcontinent.

The standard court is a rectangular field with dimensions of 27 metres in length and 16 metres in width. Within this space, a central lane measuring 30 cm in width divides the field lengthwise, with two vertical posts fixed at each end. These posts stand at a height of approximately 120 to 125 cm and help chasers shift direction under regulated conditions. Cross lanes measuring 35 to 40 cm cut across the central path at equal intervals.

How to Play Kho Kho: The Rules

The ninth chaser called the attacking or active chaser, starts the match from one of the free zones. The defending team, meanwhile, sends in a group of three defenders for the start of the match. The formal structure of advanced match conduct includes detailed provisions that ensure discipline, clarity, and equal opportunity for both sides. These guidelines cover movement, substitutions, penalties, scoring, time management, and officiating roles.

Kho Kho is a game of intense strategy where both chasers and defenders play pivotal roles. The chasing team often uses the “Kho” system to hand off the chase efficiently, ensuring that the active chaser is always in the best position to tag a defender. Generally, Khos are given when a defender crosses over to the other end of the central lane, so tagging in a chaser facing that direction of the court is always the norm.