Kho-Kho
The size of the Kho-Kho playground is rectangular. It is 29 metres long and 16 metres wide. There are two rectangles at the fend of the playground. One side of the rectangle is 15 m. and the other side is 2.75 m. In the middle of these rectangles, there are two wooden poles.
The central lane is 2.10 m. long and 30 cm. wide. There are eight small squares, 30 × 30 cms., on this lane. The height of each pole from the ground is 1.20 cms. A line is drawn towards the width of each pole. Eight lanes are drawn parallel to this line. Each lane is 15 m. in length and 30 cm. in width. This lane is divided into two equal parts, each of 7.10 m, by the central lane.
The thickness of each line is 2 cms. Each lane is 2.10 m. long Each outside lane and pole line are 2.25 metres from each other Each pole line is farther from outside boundary by 2.70 metres. There is a lobby 3 metre wide along the four sides of the playground.
Definitions
1. Posts:
Two posts are fixed at the end of the central lane. Thej are 1.20 cms. high above the ground. Their circumference cannot be less than 30 cms and not more than 40 cms.
2. Central Lane:
There is a central lane in between two poles. It is 21.60 m. long and 30 cm wide.
3. Cross Lane:
Each rectangle is 15 m. long and 30 cm. wide. It crosses the central lane at right angles (90°). It is itself divided into two halves. It is called cross-lane.
4. Square:
The area, 30 cm. × 30 cm., made by the intersection of the central lane and cross lane is called square.
5. The Line of the Post:
The line that goes to the centre of the post, parallel to cross lanes, is known as the line of the post.
6. Rectangle:
The area which is outside the line of post is known as rectangle.
7. Limits:
The lines on both sides and at a distance gf 7.30 m. from the central line, and parallel to it, are called limits.
8. Chasers:
The players who sit in the squares are called chasers. A player who actively pursues the players of the rival team is termed an active chaser.
9. Runners:
The players of the opposite side other than those of chasers are called runners.
10. To give Kho:
In order to give good Kho, an active chaser should touch the sitting chaser from behind, uttering clearly and loudly the word “Kho”. The action of touching and uttering of the word “Who” should be done simultaneously.
11. Foul:
If a sitting or active chaser breaks any rule, that is called a foul.
12. To take a Direction:
The taking of direction is to go from one post to another post.
13. To turn the Face:
At a time when an active chaser, going in a particular direction, turns his or her shoulders at 90°, he or she is said to have turned the face. It is a foul.
14. Returning:
When the active chaser, going in a particular direction, changes his direction to the opposite, he or she is said to have returned or receded. This is also a foul.
15. To Leave the Post Line:
When an active chaser leaves hold of a post, and leaves the rectangle or goes beyond it, such actions are known as leaving the post line.
16. Foot Out:
When a runner’s feet touch the ground outside the limits, it is called Foot-out, and the runner is out.
17. Lona:
When all runners are out within 7 minutes, the chaser will mark “Lona” against the runners. But no point is awarded for “Lona.”
How to begin the Play:
The game of Kho-Kho is started with a toss. The toss winning captain of the team shall decide to touch or be touched, and inform the referee about his decision. The players who sit are called chasers. The opposing players of the chasers are known as runners. Except one chaser, all the chasers sit in such a way that no two adjacent chasers face the same side. At the start of the game, the ninth chaser stands near a pole. When the referee whistles, the action of touching begins.
