How kho-kho scoring works — a beginner's guide
Kho-kho is one of the oldest and most thrilling tag-and-chase sports in South Asia, and it has enjoyed a big modern revival. If you've opened a live match and seen a running score with talk of chasers, runners and turns, this guide explains it in plain English — how points are won, how turns and innings work, and how to read a live kho-kho scoreline on TkaTak Sports. No prior knowledge assumed.
The basics: chasers vs runners
Kho-kho is played between two teams on a rectangular pitch with a central lane and two posts at either end. In each turn one team are the chasers (defending, trying to make outs) and the other are the runners (attacking, trying to stay in). Eight chasers sit in a line down the middle facing alternate directions, while a ninth is the active chaser. The chasers try to tag the runners; the runners dodge to survive as long as possible.
The "kho" and the chain
The active chaser can only move up and down one side and can't cross the central lane freely. To switch direction or hand over the chase, they touch a seated team-mate from behind and shout "kho!" — that team-mate springs up to continue the chase. This relay of khos, done at speed, is the signature skill of the game: a well-timed kho corners a runner, a mistimed one lets them escape.
How points are scored
The chasing team scores 1 point for each runner they tag out. Runners enter the field in small batches; when a batch is out, the next comes on. The chasing team's job is to put out as many runners as quickly as possible, because the score is simply the total number of outs made while chasing.
Turns and innings
A match is divided into turns (also called innings). In one turn a team chases for a set time (commonly around 7–9 minutes) and racks up points for outs; then the teams swap and the other side chases. A full match is usually made up of two turns of chasing and two of running per team. The team with the most total points across all turns wins.
Staying in and getting out
A runner is out if a chaser touches them with a hand, if they step out of the boundary, or if they enter the field late. Skilled runners use quick changes of direction, feints near the posts and pole dives to buy time. Every extra second a runner survives is a second the chasing team isn't scoring — which is what makes each turn a race against the clock.
Reading a live scoreline
A kho-kho scoreline is simply the running point totals for the two teams, e.g. 16–12. Around it you'll usually see:
- Turn / innings — which turn is being played and which team is chasing.
- Time remaining — the clock on the current turn.
- Runners out — how many runners have been tagged so far in this turn.
How kho-kho is scored on TkaTak Sports
Every match on TkaTak Sports is scored live by a person at the pitch using our mobile app. Each out is logged, updating the chasing team's points, the turn and the clock in real time. That live data powers the scoreboards you see here on the web, along with synced video replays for completed matches.
Follow real matches
The best way to appreciate kho-kho's speed is to watch a turn live. Head to the live and recent matches and open any kho-kho game to follow it turn by turn. Want more? Browse the other sport guides, check the FAQ, or get in touch.