Can the chaser cross the middle line in kho-kho?
I · Intermediate · The chase · 3 of 5No.
How it works
- The rule: "An Attacker, as a rule, shall not cross the Central Lane to go to the other half of the court".
- Touching counts: crossing or touching the central lane with any part of the body is an offence.
- The near edge: touching the line of the lane on the attacker's own side while chasing is not called.
- Not while tagging: if the attacker does it while touching a defender, or as a result of putting one out, the foul is called and the defender is not out.
- Reaching over: the attacker may reach an arm across to tag, as long as no part of the body touches or crosses the lane on the ground.
- The two legal ways across: a kho to a chaser facing the other half, or a turn round the post through the free zone.
The glossary has the central lane, the crossing the central lane foul, the attacker, the post, the kho and the foul.
Tricky cases
An attacker tags a defender and their momentum carries a foot onto the central lane. Is the defender out?
No. A foul committed "as a result of the action of putting out a Defender" means the defender is not declared out.
An attacker's toe brushes the near edge of the lane while running. Foul?
No. Touching the line of the central lane that lies on the side of the attacker's own half is not declared a foul, unless it happens in the act of tagging.
Can the attacker lean over a seated teammate to tag a defender on the other side?
Reaching is allowed. Resting or supporting on the seated chaser to do it is a foul.
At a pole dive the attacker's hand lands on the central lane. Foul?
Yes. Even at the post, touching or crossing the central lane by any part of the body is a foul.
Why the rule exists
The central lane splits the court into two worlds for the attacker and one for the defenders. A defender only has to step through the seated row to be safe from the player chasing them. That forces the chasing side to think one kho ahead instead of running in a straight line.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Attacker | May not cross or touch the central lane | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.3 |
| Near-side edge, while chasing | Not called | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.3, note |
| While or after tagging | Foul; defender not out | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.3, note |
| Defenders | Not bound by this rule | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.3 (speaks only of the attacker) |
From the rule book
Kho Kho Federation of India, National Club Games Rule Book: Kho-Kho (undated), Part 1 (definitions 6 and 19) and Part 2 (rules 3, 8 and 15). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's rule book of kho-kho (current edition not published; the National Club Games rule book was used).