Defenders aim to avoid contact for as long as possible, earning points for extended survival. Its appeal lies in the simplicity of setup, minimal equipment, and the excitement it generates on the field. 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. In a breakthrough for the sport, the first Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will be held from January 13 to 19 in New Delhi. It will witness the participation of 24 countries from six continents, comprising 21 men’s and 20 women’s teams.
These new materials provided improved shock absorption, durability, and consistency in the playing surface. According to historical records, kho kho was played as early as the 4th century BCE during the time of the Maurya Empire in ancient India. Today, kho kho is played across India, with numerous state and national-level tournaments held annually.
Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2: Odisha Juggernauts pull off thriller comeback to win Third-place Playoff
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. The structure is designed to ensure fair competition and enhance player coordination during timed intervals.
The team structure in Kho Kho consists of 15 players, from which 7 attackers take the field at a time. Attackers are arranged in the central lane, seated in alternating directions, while one active attacker starts from the free zone. 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. Runners enter from a designated zone on the edge of the field and must keep within boundaries to avoid being ruled out. 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.
The Evolution of Kho Kho Mats in India: A Historical Overview
Official measurements, history, rules, and tournaments — all in one place. India is hosting the inaugural Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship in March 2026, with 24+ nations expected. The official document is available as the rules and regulations PDF from the Kho Kho Federation of India or through authorised event organisers and federations. These 10 rules of Kho Kho maintain discipline, pace, and fairness throughout the match.
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The Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship is scheduled for 2026, with the sport targeting inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The professional era began in August 2022 with the launch of the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK)league — six franchises, indoor format on a mat surface, televised on Sony Sports. The inaugural season attracted 64 million viewers, making it India’s third-most watched non-cricket sports league behind only Pro Kabaddi and the ISL. TheInternational Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) was formally affiliated with the KKFI in 2018 and has since grown membership from 6 countries in 2020 to over 55 by 2025. Each match has two innings with turns of seven minutes for both chasing and defending, including short breaks, making the full match approximately 30 to 35 minutes. The inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup starts on January 13, Monday.
Match officials—referee, umpires, timekeepers, and scorers—oversee compliance and scoring accuracy. Discipline is enforced through verbal warnings and card-based penalties. Once the batch of three dodgers is tagged, the defenders send another batch of three out onto the field.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition. In the Berlin 1936 Olympics Games, Kho Kho was included as a demonstration sport and in 1987 it was introduced at the South Asian Federation Games in Kolkata. Currently, more than 25 countries worldwide practice and compete in this sport. Since the sport started getting traction over the years, advancements in technology and manufacturing have further transformed Kho Kho mats. High-density foams, reinforced rubber compounds, and specialized textile weaves are now used to create mats that cater specifically to the needs of the sport.
Also, an attacker who tags the last remaining defender of a batch cannot continue the chase. They need to ‘Kho’ or tag in a team-mate to initiate the chase on the new batch of defenders. One of the world’s oldest tag sports — born on the fields of Maharashtra, now played across six continents.
- The ninth chaser called the attacking or active chaser, starts the match from one of the free zones.
- Special roles like the wazir may apply in certain formats, allowing for advanced tactical options.
- 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.
- Eight players take a sitting position, crouched in the eight small rectangles formed by the intersection of the central and cross lanes.
- Each tag earns two points, with bonuses for specific actions such as pole dives or sky dives.
Asian Kho Kho Championship
They must do so before an active chaser provides a “kho,” or touches a teammate to become the new chaser. Remaining dodgers on the defending team at the end of the first inning are then able to be dodgers in the second inning. The game continues for two innings or until a team is able to tag all of their opponents. They are responsible for chasing defenders and making tags while carefully observing rules on movement direction, avoiding central lane violations, and executing proper kho exchanges. Defenders enter the field in batches and aim to survive as long as possible without being tagged. The team must plan sequences, manage substitutions if needed, and adapt tactics traditional Indian tag game depending on the game situation.
Transition Between Attackers & Defenders
An adapted format where the active chaser does not need to run — the game is played with seated participants. Developed to make the sport accessible for players with physical disabilities. 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. Every aspect is documented to eliminate ambiguity during competitive play.
Each match is structured into two innings, with every inning split into seven-minute phases of attacking and defending. Seven attackers enter the field while defenders arrive in batches of three. Each tag earns two points, with bonuses for specific actions such as pole dives or sky dives.
- One of the most popular traditional sports of India is called Kho-Kho.
- Cards are given out for violations like disorderly behaviour, overly aggressive tackles or for a variety of other technical fouls.
- Originally, the activity was played informally on clay surfaces with flexible roles and undefined structures.
- Kho Kho rules and regulations have undergone notable changes over the years, adapting to modern standards and competitive requirements.
- A direct red card, meanwhile, results in suspension from the ongoing match and the next match of the tournament.
- A total of 24 nations from six continents will participate, featuring 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams.
A chaser can also tag a fellow inactive chaser by saying “Kho,” handing over the chase. The tagged chaser becomes active, and the one who gave the “Kho” becomes inactive, sitting in the active chaser’s position. If the teams are tied at the end of the match, an additional innings is played to decide the winner. If there’s still no definite winner, both teams take a turn each and the side to win one point in the least amount of time emerges victorious.
Kho Kho: How to Play and Rules
The use of English assists in integrating the format into sports programmes that operate across borders or where English is the preferred medium of instruction. The complete Kho Kho rules in English provide a consistent foundation for international communication and coordination. These guidelines enable smooth organisation of tournaments across linguistic regions and are critical for events involving teams from different states or countries. Traditionally teams send in their best three defenders first to eat up as much of the designated time as possible.
Furthermore, the incorporation of specialized textile weaves ensures improved grip, allowing players to make swift turns and changes in direction without slipping. The introduction of synthetic mats in kho kho gained prominence in the 1980s, revolutionizing the sport by providing a consistent and safe playing surface across different regions. The defenders send out three of their 12 players, or “dodgers,” out on the field at a time.