Mechanical Analysis of Dodging and Direction-Change Skills (Ring Play and Chain Evasion) in Kho-Kho

Abstract: The runner's ability to evade a pursuing chaser in kho-kho depends on rapid, repeated changes of direction executed within the narrow rectangular lanes of the field -- a skill set locally termed “ring play” and “chain” evasion. Although these evasive manoeuvres are among the most visually distinctive and tactically decisive actions in the sport, they have not previously been analysed using the mechanical frameworks developed for cutting and agility tasks in other team sports. This paper applies principles of rotational kinetics, ground reaction force (GRF) analysis, and centre-of- mass (COM) control to the dodging and direction-change skills of kho-kho, treating each evasive cut as a discrete mechanical event bounded by a braking phase, a reorientation phase, and a re-acceleration phase. Eighteen state-level kho-kho runners (male and female, 17-23 years) were recorded using synchronised high-speed video and a force platform embedded at a marked cutting zone while executing 45°, 90°, and near-135° evasive cuts against a live chaser. Joint angles, COM height, foot-plant distance, and GRF components were extracted and compared between evasions that successfully avoided the tap and those that did not. Successful evaders demonstrated a significantly lower COM height at foot plant, greater knee flexion at initial contact, a shorter penultimate step, and a higher ratio of braking-to-propulsive GRF than unsuccessful evaders. Cut angle was inversely related to completion speed but positively related to evasion success, indicating a speed-accuracy trade-off consistent with agility literature from other sports. These findings characterise kho-kho evasion as a specialised agility skill governed by torque, angular momentum conservation, and frictional limits at the foot-ground interface, and they carry direct implications for both performance coaching and injury- risk awareness at the knee.