Kho Kho
Brief introduction of Kho Kho
Kho Kho is a tag game. The game is played in the Indian subcontinent mostly. It is said that it is invented in Maharashtra, India. The game is dated to ancient history and a symbol of human civilization and cultural relations of the area. A person chasing marks the defender by tapping and the defender is captured. The game is resonating with the modern game of Run and Chase. Kho Kho is defined and modified over the time and any efforts were made to adopt it on National levels and keep it alive as a traditional sport of history.
Things required to play Kho Kho
The playing field is rectangular in shape. A central horizontal line divides the area into two equal parts. Even small lines are required to divide the central line in two eight spaces which are at equal distance to each other. This makes eight small rectangles that are at right angle to the central line. Two poles are placed on opposite sides of the central line. At the end of the central line, there is a free zone that is at an angle to the central line and sometimes poles are placed at this area to define it. A total of nine players participate in the game. In International setup, the total fifteen players are selected. During the innings, a chasing team of nine players is present and a defending team of three players is present. The things such as watches are needed to record the time as it needs to be measured to decide the winner. The poles and rings are needed to set the playing area.
Required skills to play Kho Kho
The mental skills should be sharp and well-polished as the chaser has to determine when to switch the role with a teammate and when to turn around the pole to change the direction. The running ability of the chaser is also of prime value. The game is quite strategic and smart decisions are made. The speed and agility is needed to chase the player and the muscle strength should be well built. The sport promotes harmony and brotherhood among the players and the community. This sport is not very demanding economically and verifies all the requirements of a good sport.
How to play Kho Kho?
- The chasing team enters the playing court which consists of a total of nine players. They sit on the line dividing the rectangular playing court into two equal halves. Each of the eight players sit on the small rectangle created on the central line. They sit with equal spacing and every next player face the alternate halves of the court. The one player of the total nine stands beside a pole. He is meant to chase the defenders. He has control to switch with the other eight teammates when needed to do so. He is restricted to enter the other half of court and needs to turn around the pole to change direction.
- The defenders enter the court in a group of three players and they run from the chaser. The chaser tries to tag them and capture them one by one. When all the three defenders are captured, a set of next three defenders enter the court to run from the chaser. After that, other team takes the role of defending. They score the points and try to capture the defenders before time to achieve victory.
Some importants rules to play Kho Kho
Like many other games of Indian subcontinent, the set of rules defining the game are not very strict or by the code of book. They in fact, vary depending upon the area. But, the basic set of rules which are the identity of the game stay the same.
- The defender is free to cross the center line when he is running from the chaser.
- The chaser cannot cross the central line while chasing any of the three defenders present in the court. Otherwise, this will be a foul.
- The chaser can switch the direction while running in side of the court, in order to do so he has to turn around the poles placed at the ends of the central line and change the direction.
- The chaser can switch the chasing role with another team mate of the total nine siting on central line by stroking the back of the one facing the required side of the court and saying Kho.
- The new chaser can run only in the half side of the court and cannot pursue the other half of the court by simply crossing the line. If he does so, he will be declared out of the game.
- Points are scored by the chaser when he captures the defender in the court.
- When all the nine defenders who entered the court in sets of three players each time are captured by the chaser, the innings end.
- Both the teams take turns of the chasing and defending roles. The particular role is decided by the toss.
- The game is parted into two innings of chasing and defending session and in international setting each is of nine minutes long.
- The team succeeding in capturing all the defenders quicker than the time taken by the previous team wins the game and become victorious.
- The game is originated in India but many variations have been made over the course of time. Many areas adopted the game and a few sports have taken idea from this ancient sport.
Conclusion
Kho Kho is a fine game which is played mostly in the Indian subcontinent. It shapes the physical and mental skills of the players. The game is not high maintenance and very demanding. It is a sport in which children and adults can enjoy in a simple setting. Kho Kho is a source of simple and easy happiness which has become a luxury in modern fast paced lives. The game is not very harsh or time consuming. Such games not only contribute to the culture and heritage but also serve for strengthening the community by promoting friendly attitude and teamwork.
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