Sepak Takraw is a volleyball-like game that originated in Southeast Asia. With a literal translation of ‘Kick Ball’ (Sepak in Malay meaning kick and takraw in Thai meaning ball), 2-4 players compete against their opposition
on a court with a net across the middle. Unlike volleyball, in Sepak Takraw, players are not allowed to use their hands to play the ball and are required to use their feet, head, knees and chest to touch the ball. In addition, players are allowed to play the ball all 3 times.
Objective
In Sepak Takraw, the main objective is to hit the ball in a tactical way so that the opposing team cannot return it in a “legal” fashion.
One team will begin the game by striking the ball over the net, which is known as a “serve”. Both teams will then compete in what is known as a “rally”, where the ball exchanges hands and flies above the net between both sides of the court. A rally finishes when one team cannot return the ball, and a point is marked for the team that forced the error.
The team that reaches 21 points (by two clear points) first is declared the winner of a set, and two set wins are required to emerge victorious in the overall match.
Scoring
The Tekong jumping off the ground to make the service
The Tekong not kicking the ball when making service
An Inside player touches the net whilst throwing the ball
The ball fails to cross to the opposition's half
The ball goes over the net but lands outside of the court boundaries
Playing the ball more than 3 times in a row
Touching the ball on the opposing side
The ball touches the arm
Holding or grabbing the ball
The ball touching the ceiling or any other object
Official Rules of Sepak Takraw
Games of Sepak Takraw shall be played by two teams of three players
Games should be played on a court that fits the regulation size and markings as set out by ITSAF, with an official Sepak Takraw ball
The team to serve first is decided by a coin toss before the match commences
Play begins when the server is thrown the ball by a teammate and must then kick the ball over the net whilst keeping one foot in the service circle
Players may only touch the ball with their feet, head, knees and chest. Touching the ball with the hand or any other part of the body can result in a fault and a point for the opposition
Each team is allowed a maximum of three touches of the ball to return it back over the net without letting it touch the ground
Failure to return the ball over the net before it hits the ground results in a point to the opposition
Points are always scored in Sepak Takraw by the opposition faulting, and they can do this in a number of ways (see above)
The first team to reach 21 points wins a set. The first team to win two sets is declared the winner
