How is a defender put out in kho-kho?
B · Beginner · The chase · 5 of 6A defender is out in three ways: when touched by hand by an attacker who has broken no rule, when they go out of the field, and when they touch a seated chaser a second time in a turn. The umpire signals it with a short blast of the whistle. A defender put out through a foul is not out.
How it works
- Touched by hand: by an attacker "without violating any rule".
- Out of field: the defender loses contact of the feet with the field and comes outside.
- Touching a chaser: a defender who touches a seated chaser is warned once in a turn, and is out if it happens again.
- Late entry: a runner who fails to enter the field in time is out.
- Saved by a foul: if the attacker commits a foul in tagging, or straight after as part of the same action, the defender is not out.
- Pushed out: a defender pushed out of the field by the attacker is not out.
- Obstructed: a defender who is out because a seated chaser obstructed them is not declared out.
- Leaving: a defender who is out returns to the seats through the lobby, by the nearest end or side line.
The glossary has the out call, the defender, the attacker, the foul, the obstruction by a chaser and the umpire.
Tricky cases
An attacker tags a defender and, in the same movement, steps on the central lane. Out?
No. The foul was committed as a result of the action of putting the defender out, so the defender is not declared out.
A defender dodges and one foot lands outside the side line while the other stays in. Out of field?
The definition speaks of losing "contact of his feet with the Field" and coming outside. On those words a defender with one foot still in the field has not lost contact.
A defender brushes against a seated chaser while weaving through. Out?
Not the first time. The defender is warned once in a turn, and is declared out if it is repeated.
An attacker fouls while chasing one defender and then tags a different one. Is the second defender out?
It depends. The protection from a foul applies to the defender who was being chased when the foul was committed.
Why the rule exists
A tag counts only if it was made within the rules, since the rules are the defender's whole protection. Tying "not out" to a foul in the same movement stops the chasing side from gaining by cheating, and the push rule stops an attacker from shoving a defender over the line.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Legal touch by hand | Out; one point | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.14; Part 3.4 |
| Touch following a foul | Not out | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.15, note A |
| Defender goes out of the field | Out | KKFI Club Rules Part 1.26; Part 2.14 |
| Defender pushed out by the attacker | Not out | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.14, note B |
| Defender touches a chaser | Warning, then out | KKFI Club Rules Part 2.13 |
From the rule book
Kho Kho Federation of India, National Club Games Rule Book: Kho-Kho (undated), Part 1 (definition 26), Part 2 (rules 11 and 13 to 16) and Part 3 (rules 2 and 9). 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).