Why Students Should Learn and Play Kho Kho
Kho Kho is one of the most recognized and popular traditional games played in India. It is a form of tag game, like Kabaddi, mostly popular in the Indian subcontinent. Kho Kho originated in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is played by several teams consisting of 12 players out of which 9 enter the field and the remaining 3 become the defending members. In this essay on Kho Kho, the game’s characteristics are discussed.
A Short Paragraph on Kho Kho
Kho Kho is a traditional sport in India. Children play this game from an early age as a recreational tag game. Older people also have a similar attraction to it. Like Kabaddi, Kho Kho is an outdoor sport and is considered to be a game of tactics and strategy. It is an extremely competitive game.
Essay on Kho Kho Game: A Brief History
Ancient records are evidence of the fact that Kho Kho has been played by the people of the Indian subcontinent since the prehistoric ages. The exact roots of Kho Kho have been difficult to determine by historians. However, Maharashtra is believed to be its birthplace and in those ancient times, it was known by the name Rathera. Several references to the game of Rathera could be found in tales of the epic Mahabharata and since then the game of Kho Kho has been modified and suited to different standards. The present game of Kho Kho has been adopted from the styles prevalent in the times of World War 1 around 1914.
Kho Kho Essay in English: Its Characteristics
Kho Kho, as mentioned earlier, is played by teams of 12 members. Nine of them are called the chasing team, who enter the field and sit with their knees on the ground. The remaining three form the defending team who try to pass by without being touched by the opposing team members. There are seven commonly used terms in the game of Kho Kho. Those are:
Pole:
It is a cylindrical construction made of wood that is erected at both the sides of the field during the game.
The Chaser:
It refers to the team of nine players who are seated on the playfield. It aims to catch the running member of the opposing team.
The Runner:
It is the player belonging to the opposing team whose aim is to save him-/her from being caught by the opposing team’s chaser.
Central Lane:
It refers to the two lines running parallel from one pole to the other.
Cross Lane:
It refers to the parallel lanes which cut the central line in the middle of the field.
Kho:
It is a word that is spoken by one chaser while giving a pass to another chaser.
Early Getup:
It is a term that is used when the seated chaser gets up before obtaining a Kho from the chaser.
Kho Kho is played in a field of 29 * 16 meters. The poles are located on each side of the playground and the central lane is drawn from one pole to the other. There are eight cross lanes that cut the central lane perpendicularly and are drawn parallel to one another. The necessary equipment of Kho Kho includes a pair of watches, a whistle, a measuring tape, boric powder and some stationery items for writing results. In a match of Kho Kho, there are two referees who stand on opposite sides of the field’s opposite sides. They both carry stopwatch and each is responsible for deciding on a verdict.
This essay on Kho Kho is mainly a description of how the game is played. The history and origin of the game, the common terms used in the game, the field’s dimensions, the necessary equipment and who is responsible for making decisions have been discussed in this Kho Kho essay.
Short Essay on Kho Kho Game in English
My Favourite Game Kho Kho Essay in English
Kho Kho is one of the oldest and most popular traditional outdoor sports in India. Originated in Maharashtra, Kho Kho is widely played by the people of the Indian subcontinent. The following my favorite game Kho Kho essay includes some of the common terms that are used in the game.
The Commonly Used Terms in Kho Kho
Pole:
A cylindrical wooden construction, erected at both the sides of the field.
Chaser:
The seated team tries to catch the running member of the opposing team.
Runner:
The player who is running and saving himself from being caught by the chaser.
Central Lane:
The two parallel running lines from each of the poles.
Cross Lane:
The lanes cutting the central line and running parallel to each other.
Kho:
The word which is a pass from one chaser to another.
Usually, two referees give the decisions during a match of Kho Kho. The equipment includes two watches, a whistle, a measuring tape, boric powder, and stationeries.
This brings the short essay on Kho Kho to an end. Within a limited premise, we have tried to discuss here the common terms, equipment, and the method of playing Kho Kho.
Kho-Kho is one of the most popular games in the world and the one people play most often. The game is defined by its simplicity, there are no mandatory formal ground strategies and each player must follow their own strategy. Kho-Kho is indulged as a part of Indian culture, this game has been played since ancient times on fields. Kho-Kho is very popular in Indian villages and rural areas and can be found in every part of the country. The Kho-Kho game is most commonly played in schools during breaks or as part of the PE curriculum.
The Kho-Kho game is also played at public parks and for fun. Kho-Kho is a very simple game that anybody can play. This game does not need any equipment, unlike other games. For example, if someone wants to play cricket, they will need a bat, a ball, and a wicket. On the other hand, to play Kho-Kho, one would just need their team. Anyone can immediately begin the game if they have a sufficient number of buddies with whom they can play without difficulty. Kho-Kho is not a game that can only be played by the wealthy or the poor. This game is widely utilized across the globe.
Rules of Kho-Kho
Kho-Kho is played on a ground that has a grid of lines on its surface. The grid of lines on the ground is divided into two parts of equal size. In each part, players from their side try to push the player from other players towards the centre of the grid. The Kho-Kho game is played between two teams. The number of players in Kho Kho in both teams is 12. But only nine players can compete on the pitch. A standard kho-kho match usually has two innings. In Each inning, players will have 9 minutes which includes chasing and running. The team that is chasing will be on their knees at the ground and each player consecutively facing in the opposite direction is an alternative direction.
The chasers should catch the runner in the quickest time possible. The chaser will touch the nearest player of the other team on their back while saying Kho and whichever chasing team will take less amount of time to chase will be the winner. The runner or the chaser from both teams is decided by toss. The captain of the chasing team may end their turn before the allotted time. The team that scores more wins a match. And if a defender got out, he should enter the sitting box from the lobby.
Advantages of Playing Kho-Kho
There are various advantages of playing The Kho-Kho game:
The Kho-Kho game enhances the fitness level of human beings because, in this game, one has to run and sit immediately.
Playing Kho-Kho games makes a person very active mentally because one has to make their own strategy for winning.
Kho-Kho does not have any piece of equipment, all one requires is comfortable shorts and t-shirts, and players for playing with and they are ready to play it.
The Kho-Kho game empowers many desirable traits such as sportsmanship, teamwork, loyalty, competitiveness, and self-esteem.
FAQs on Kho Kho Essay: History, Rules, and Life Lessons for Students
1. What is the origin and history of the Kho Kho game?
The game of Kho Kho is an ancient Indian sport with its origins traced back to Maharashtra, where it was initially played on chariots and known as 'Rathera'. The modern, on-foot version was formalised around 1914. The Deccan Gymkhana of Pune was instrumental in publishing the first official rulebook, giving the game its structured format that is played today. It is celebrated for its simplicity and the minimal equipment it requires.
2. What are the basic rules of Kho Kho that a student should know?
Kho Kho is played between two teams, each with 12 players, but only 9 play on the field at a time. The core rules are:
Chasing Team: 8 players sit in a central lane, facing opposite directions, while one player is the active chaser.
Defending Team: Sends 3 players (runners) who must avoid being tagged by the chaser.
Giving 'Kho': The active chaser can pass their turn to a seated teammate by touching their back and shouting 'Kho'. The new chaser must then pursue the runners.
Direction: Once a chaser starts running in one direction, they cannot turn back until they have touched one of the poles at either end of the court.
Scoring: A point is scored for every runner tagged out.
3. What are the essential skills a player needs to excel in Kho Kho?
To be a good Kho Kho player, one needs a combination of physical and mental skills. The most important skills include stamina to play through the innings, speed for chasing and escaping, and agility to change directions quickly. Additionally, players need sharp reflexes for dodging, excellent teamwork for coordinated chasing, and strategic thinking to anticipate the opponents' moves.
4. Beyond physical fitness, what important life lessons can students learn from playing Kho Kho?
Playing Kho Kho teaches invaluable life lessons that go beyond the playground. It instils a strong sense of discipline, as players must follow rules and strategies. The game is a powerful teacher of teamwork and coordination, showing how individual effort contributes to a collective goal. It also builds resilience and sportsmanship, as players learn to handle both victory and defeat with grace, while developing quick decision-making skills under pressure.
5. How does the concept of giving 'Kho' demonstrate the importance of teamwork?
The act of giving 'Kho' is the very essence of teamwork in the game. A single chaser cannot cover the entire field or catch all three runners alone. By passing the chase to a strategically positioned teammate, the team works as a single, coordinated unit. It shows that success depends on trust, timely communication (the shout of 'Kho'), and understanding each other's strengths and positions. It proves that a chain of players working together is far more effective than an individual.
6. How is the strategy for a 'chaser' different from the strategy for a 'runner' in Kho Kho?
The strategies are fundamentally different, reflecting their opposing goals. A chaser's strategy is aggressive and collaborative; they focus on creating a 'chain' to corner a runner, anticipating their path, and making quick decisions on when to give 'Kho' to a better-positioned teammate. In contrast, a runner's strategy is defensive and individual; they focus on evasion, using skills like dodging and sudden bursts of speed. Their goal is to survive for the maximum time by deceiving the chasers and forcing them to make errors.
7. What are some of the key terms used in a game of Kho Kho?
Understanding the terminology is key to understanding the game. Some important terms are:
Chaser: The player from the sitting team who actively tries to tag opponents.
Runner: A player from the defending team who tries to avoid being tagged.
Pole: The two posts at each end of the central lane, which a chaser can use to change direction.
Kho: The word shouted by a chaser when passing the turn to a teammate by touching their back.
Free Zone: The area around the poles where a chaser’s movement is not restricted by direction.
8. What key points should be included when writing an essay on Kho Kho?
To write a comprehensive essay on Kho Kho, you should structure it with a few key sections. Start with an introduction to the game as a traditional Indian sport. Follow this with a section on its history and origin. Next, explain the basic rules and how it is played, including the roles of chasers and runners. You can then discuss the skills required and the physical and mental benefits. Finally, conclude by highlighting the life lessons it teaches, such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.
