Sepak Takraw

1. SepakTakraw James White Jake Yates

2. Introduction SepakTakraw is a volleyball like net sport, with volleyball type rules, except particapants are only allowed to use feet, knees and chest much like the sport of soccer.

3. History SepakTakraw began to be played in the early 15th century in Malaysia. SepakTakraw has since spread to many different countries. It is now played in the USA, Canada, Japan and Korea to name a few. International play is governed by ISTAF and the King’s World Cup is held every year in Thailand.

4. Rules • Rules and regulations • Expressions • Sepak is the Malay word for "kick". Takraw is the Thai word for the hand-woven rattan ball originally used in the game. So the game is essentially "kick ball". Regu is Malay for "team" (four people, three starters, and one substitute player).[13] • Court • SepakTakraw court diagram • The sepaktakraw sport is played on a similar to badminton double sized court.[14] • Area of 13.4 by 6.1 metres (44 × 20 ft) free from all obstacles up to the height of 8 metres (26 ft) measured from the floor surface (sand and grass court not advisable). The width of the lines bounding the court should not be more than 4 centimetres (1.6 in) measured and drawn inwards from the edge of the court measurements. All the boundary lines should be drawn at least 3.0 metres (9.8 ft) away from all obstacles. The centre line of 2 cm (0.79 in) should be drawn equally dividing the right and left court. • At the corner of each at the center line, the quarter circle shall be drawn from the sideline to the center line with a radius of 0.9 metres (2 ft 11 in) measured and drawn outwards from the edge of the 0.9 m radius. • The service circle of 0.3 m radius shall be drawn on the left and on the right court, the center of which is 2.45 m from the back line of the court and 3.05 m from the sidelines, the 0.04 m line shall be measured and drawn outward from the edge of the 0.3 m radius.[15] • Net • The net shall be made of fine ordinary cord or nylon with 6 cm to 8 cm mesh. Similar to a volleyball net.[14] • The net shall be 0.7 m in width and not shorter than 6.10 m in length and taped at 0.05 m from tape double at the top and sideline, called boundary tape. • The net shall be edged with 0.05 m tape double at the top and the bottom of the net supported by a fine ordinary cord or nylon cord that runs through the tape and strain over and flush with the top of the posts. The top of the net shall be 1.52 m (1.42 m for women) in height from the center and 1.55 m (1.45 m for women's) at the posts.[15]

5. Rules Continued • Ball • A sepaktakraw ball made out of rattan • The sepaktakraw ball shall be spherical in shape, made of synthetic fiber or one woven layer. • Sepaktakraw balls without synthetic rubber covering must have 12 holes and 20 intersections, must have a circumference measuring not less from 42–44 cm (17–17 in) for men and from 43–45 cm (17–18 in) for women, and must have a weight that ranges from 170–180 g (6.0–6.3 oz) for men and from 150–160 g (5.3–5.6 oz) for women. • The ball can be in plain single colour, multi-colour, and luminous colours, but not in any colour that will impair the performance of the players. • The sepaktakraw ball can also be constructed of synthetic rubber or soft durable material for covering the ball, for the purpose of softening the impact of the ball on the player’s body. The type of material and method used for constructing the ball or for covering the ball with rubber or soft durable covering must be approved by ISTAF before it can be used for any competition. • All world, international, and regional competitions sanctioned by International SepakTakraw Federation, including but not limited to, the Olympic Games, World Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and SEA Games, must be played with ISTAF approved sepaktakraw balls.[15] • Players • A match is played by two regus (teams), each consisting of three players. • One of the three players shall be at the back; he is called a “Tekong”. The other two players shall be in front, one on the left and the other on the right. The player on the left is called a “Left Inside” and the player on the right is called a “Right Inside”.[15] • Start of play and service • The side that must serve first shall start the first set. The side that wins the first set shall have the options of “Choosing Service”. • The throw must be executed as soon as the referee calls the score. If either of the "Inside" players throws the ball before the referee calls the score, it must be re-thrown and a warning will be given to the thrower. • During the service, as soon as the Tekong kicks the ball, all the players are allowed to move about freely in their respective courts. • The service is valid if the ball passes over the net, whether it touches the net or not, and inside the boundary of the two net tapes and boundary lines of the opponent’s court.[15]

6. Rules Continued • Faults • Serving side during service • The "Inside" player who is making service throws, plays about with the ball (throwing up the ball, bumping, giving to other "Inside" player, etc.) after the call of score has been made by the referee. • The "Inside" player lifts his feet or steps on the line or crosses over or touches the net while throwing the ball. • The Tekong jumps off the ground to execute the service. • The Tekong does not kick the ball on the service throw. • The ball touches his own player before crossing over the opponent court. • The ball goes over the net but falls outside the court. • The ball does not cross to the opponent side. • A player uses his hand or hands, or any other part of his arms to facilitate the execution of a kick even if the hand or arm does not directly touch the ball, but it touches other objects or surfaces instead when doing so. • Serving and receiving side during service • Creating distracting manner or noise or shouting at his opponent. • For both sides during the game • Any player who touches the ball on the opponent side. • Any part of player's body crosses over into opponent's court whether above or under the net except during the follow-through of the ball. • Playing the ball more than 3 times in succession. • The ball touches the arm • Stopping or holding the ball under the arm, between the legs or body. • Any part of the body or player's outfits e.g. shoes, jersey, head band etc., touches the net or the post or the referee's chairs or falls into the opponent's side. • The ball touches the ceiling, roof or the wall (any objects).[15]

7. Scoring • An official match is won by best of five sets, win 3 sets of 5; used on important tournaments on all matches or in finals after group stages. A team event or group match is won by best of three sets, win 2 sets of 3; used in team events and often in tournaments to speed up group stages. • In a knock out system mainly used in tournaments teams doesn’t have to play the 5th (or 3rd)set if winner is known. In a league system it is mandatory for all teams to complete the 5 (or 3) sets. • In the last 5th (or 3rd) set the change of sides takes place when one team reaches 8 points. • Point: When either serving side or receiving side commits a fault, a point is awarded to the opponent side including making next service. • Set: Each set is won by the side which scores fifteen (15) points with a minimum lead of two (2) points. In the event of a 14-14 tie, the set shall be won by the side which gets a lead of two (2) points, or when a side reaches 17 points (whichever occurs first). • Match: Match is won by the team who has won more sets, 3 (or 2). Teams can win 3, 2, 1 or 0 set points per match in best of 5 or win 2, 1 or 0 set points per match in best of 3. • Ranking: In group stages of tournaments or team events aka round robin the ranking in a group is determined by: 1. Sum of match wins; a match win gives 1 point 2. Sum set points, 3. Point difference +/- • Summarized from ISTAF rules since January 2011 [15]

8. Video 2009 King's Cup World Championship: USA vs India