From being a mere childhood pastime, Kho Kho is not only a game but (Kerala-based Kho Kho). This traditional sport known for its speed and strategy has fascinated the players and the spectators. In this blog, we will cover the kho kho court measurements, how kho kho started, and the uniqueness of this game.
What is Kho Kho?
Kho Kho is a traditional Indian tag sport played by two teams of 12 members each. In India, kho kho is played on a specially designed court often the open ground around the village, and has been a staple game across states for centuries.
In this blog, we will walk you through the kho kho court dimensions, history, rules and regulations, and everything you need to know about the exciting game of kho kho.
Kho Kho Court: Size, Measurements, and Diagram
The kho kho court size is rectangular with precise measurements crucial for the gameplay. Here is a detailed list of the kho kho court dimensions:
- Length: 27 meters men & women; 23 meters sub-juniors.
- Width: 16 meters for all categories.
- Central Lane: A central lane, 30 cm wide, runs down the center of the court and connects two poles at either end.
- Cross Lanes: 8 Lane crossing 30 cm
- Poles: Two poles are set up at either end of the court, 120–125 cm tall, and 9–10 cm in diameter
These measurements are uniform and standardized through official games. For those unknown with kho kho, you can visualize the kho kho guides to how kho kho looks when you see the kho kho court diagram.
How Many Players in Kho Kho?
Kho Kho team size includes 12 players, but during a match, only 9 of them take the field. A consists of two innings, and teams take turns chasing and defending. The chasing team has seven minutes to tag as many defenders as it can during each inning.
History of Kho Kho
Kho kho is a traditional Indian sport with roots in ancient times and was originally played for physical training and entertainment. They say the game’s early roots possibly took their cue from military tactics mentioned in epics such as the Mahabharata.
Kho kho in its modern form started to take shape in the early 20th century. Though the first event of this sport in organized tournament form was held in Pune in 1914, (during World War I), it was not until 1960 when the organization by the name Kho Kho Federation of India was founded, recognizing it officially and to frame the rules for the game and organize its growth both nationally and internationally.
How to Play Kho Kho: Rules and Gameplay
Kho kho is a traditional Indian sport where players in the chasing team sit adjacent to each other facing opposite directions on the two sides of the central lane on the kho kho ground, and one active chaser runs to tag members of the defending team. Defenders will avoid being tagged by running strategically around poles or changing directions.
Defenders leave the playing field when tagged. The inning concludes when each of the defenders is tagged out or when time expires. The team with the most tags when the time is over, wins.
Conclusion
Kho Kho is not just a sport; it is a game of teamwork, strategy, and skill that has been loved for centuries. Now that you know about various factors such as kho kho court size, kho kho rules of play and kho kho history, you can admire this age old Indian game even more. Whether you’re tuning in to an intense match or playing on your local kho kho ground, this is a game that is unlike any other.
