History of the game
Sepak Takraw is a team sport that originated in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia. It
has a vibrant history that dates back several centuries. The game was initially played by the
royal court in Malaysia during the 15th century. In the 16th century, it spread across
Indonesia, where it was known as "Sepak Raga." By the 1940s, the game had evolved into
its modern form, with net versions and formal rules and regulations being established in
Southeast Asia. The game may have been influenced by the Chinese game Cuju, which
was an ancient military exercise involving kicking a leather ball filled with feathers back and
forth between two or more people.
Equipment
To play Sepak Takraw, you will need the following equipment:
• A regulation-sized court with specific markings as set out by the International Sepak
Takraw Federation (ITSAF).
• An official Sepak Takraw ball, which is made of synthetic fiber and has a circumference of
approximately 42-44 centimeters.
• A Sepak Takraw net is very similar to the one used in Volleyball, and it is generally made of
nylon. The net should span the width of the court and should be 0.7 m wide. The net height
should be 1.52 m for men and 1.42 m for women at the center of the court, and 1.55m for
men, and 1.45 m for women at posts.
• Proper attire, including comfortable sports clothing and appropriate footwear.
Basic skills
Sepak Takraw requires a combination of physical fitness, flexibility, and teamwork. Here are
some basic skills involved in the game:
• Kicking: Players must be able to kick the ball accurately and with control using
various parts of their body, such as their feet, chest, knee, and head.
• Setting: Players need to be able to set up the ball for their teammates to perform
attacking shots
• Serving: The server initiates the game by serving the ball over the net to the opposing
team.
• Receiving: Players must be able to receive the ball from the opposing team's serve
and set it up for their own team's attack.
Rules of the game
The rules and regulations of Sepak Takraw are similar to those of volleyball. Here are some
key rules:
• The ball should not be touched with the hands. Players can use their head, chest,
knee, and feet to kick the ball.
• Each team is allowed a maximum of three touches to kick the ball to the other side
of the net.
• The ball should not touch the arm, and players should not hold or grab the ball.
• Other rules include not playing the ball more than three times in a row, not touching
the ball on the opposing side, and not allowing the ball to touch the ceiling or any
other object.
Nature of the game
Teams
Sepak Takraw is played by two teams, with each team consisting of three players. There are
different versions of the game, such as Hoop, Doubles, and Regu, but Regu is the most
popular version. In Regu, each team has three players, including two substitute players. On
the court, the team comprises a Striker, a Server, and a Feeder, each with different skills
and tactics.
Game Officials
Sepak Takraw matches are officiated by referees who ensure that the game is played
according to the rules. They make decisions on faults, penalties, and scoring. The referees
also ensure fair play and maintain the flow of the game.
Beginning of the game
The team to serve first is determined by a coin toss before the match commences. The
server starts the game by serving the ball over the net to the opposing team. The game
continues with each team taking turns serving the ball.
Scoring
A game of Sepak Takraw is won by the first team to win two sets. Each set is won by the
team that reaches 21 points first. If a set is tied at 21-21, a tiebreaker is played, and the first
team to open up a two-point lead or reach 25 points is declared the winner. The game
requires physical fitness, flexibility, and teamwork for a team to be successful in winning a
match
