SEPAK TAKRAW CARIROSA POWELL

“KICKBALL” Sepak Takraw is a kick volleyball sport native to Southeast Asia. Players are only allowed to use their feet, knee, chest and head to touch the ball. "Sepak" is the Malay word for kick and “Takraw" is the Thai word for a woven ball, therefore Sepak Takraw quite literally means to “kick ball.” The choosing of this name for the sport was essentially a compromise between Malaysia and Thailand, the two powerhouse countries of the sport.

HISTORY Historical records point to early versions of the sport being played in 16th century Thailand, at the Malaysian royal court a century before that, and even across a wide swathe of the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia and Laos as far back as the 11th century. The first versions of Sepak Takraw were not so much of a competition, but rather cooperative displays of skill designed to exercise the body, improve dexterity and loosen the limbs after long periods of sitting, standing or working

Modernization The modern version of Sepak Takraw began taking shape in Thailand sometime during the early 1740s In 1829 the Siam Sports Association drafted the first rules for Takraw competition International play is now governed by ISTAF, the International Sepak Takraw Federation. Major competitions for the sport such as the ISTAF Super Series, the ISTAF World Cup and the King’s Cup World Championships are held every year.

COURT

THE BALL Sepak Takraw uses a rattan ball which is spherical, made of synthetic fiber or one woven layer. The ball can be in plain single color, multi-color, and luminous colors, but not in any color that will impair the performance of the players. The 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.

PLAYERS The Regu category is played by three players on each team while the doubles Regu is played by two players on each team. A match is played by two teams, also known as ‘Regus', 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” Striker, a Server, and a Feeder (bowler)

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 Teams alternate serve every three points, regardless of who wins the points

SCORING GAME Teams can score a point when the opposing team fails to return the ball across the net within the 3 ‘touches’ rule, or the ball is returned across the net but lands outside of the court. SET Each set is won by the side which scores twenty one (21) points with a minimum lead of two (2) points to a ceiling of 25 points. MATCH A match is won by the team who has won two sets out of three. A team event match is won by the team that wins two regus.

Faults in the game 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 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. 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). Creating distracting manner or noise or shouting at his opponent.

HORSE-KICKS & SUNBACK SPIKES

CONCLUSION Astonishingly visceral and explosive, it is, at the elite level, one of the toughest games in the world. Demanding lightning reflexes, precise control and fearless, gravity-defying leaps, Sepak Takraw delivers some of the most intense sporting action http://www.sepaktakraw.org