Sepak takraw is an age-old game that emphasizes teamwork, unity and communication. Originally played by villagers in Southeast Asia, it has since evolved into an international sport that promotes physical and mental discipline.
Rattan ball kickball is a team sport played with two teams facing off on an indoor badminton court with a net stretched across the middle. The aim is for your ball to cross over that net and into your opponent’s court.
Origins
Many centuries ago, people in Southeast Asia played a game similar to volleyball. Over time, this pastime developed into an intensely competitive sport which is still enjoyed today across the region.
Sepak takraw is a team sport that originated in Malaysia and Thailand but has since spread throughout the region. It shares many similarities to volleyball, often referred to as kick volleyball; however, instead of using hands, players use their feet.
Sepak takraw has its roots in at least 500 years, yet it wasn’t until the 1930s that it truly gained popularity throughout Southeast Asia. The Siam Sports Association created the initial rules for Sepak takraw in 1938; they also introduced volleyball-style nets around this time.
Team sport played between two teams of up to four players each. On the receiving side there is a player called a “Tekong,” who stands furthest back on court; while on the sending team there are two positions: “Setter” and “Striker,” who stand near center court.
Each team must make a maximum of three touches on the ball to return it over the net without letting it touch ground. Failure to do so results in a point for the opposing team.
There are specific rules for playing badminton, such as the size of the court (similar to a badminton court) and height of the net. For men’s games, the court should be at least 13.4 metres long and 6.1 metres wide, while women’s matches require no higher than 1.52 meters high (net height no higher than 1.42 m).
In the 1960s, representatives from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand convened in Kuala Lumpur to standardize the rules of sepak takraw. As a result of this meeting, representatives formed the Malayan Sepak Takraw Federation – becoming the first organization to include this game within South East Asian Peninsular Games events.
Today, the sport of Sepak Takraw is overseen by the International Sepak Takraw Federation with members from more than 30 countries worldwide. This federation organizes major international tournaments and promotes sepak takraw as an art form in Southeast Asia.
Rules
Sepak takraw is an age-old sport with a rich and colorful heritage. It began as an ancient game in Southeast Asia but is now enjoyed around the globe due to its fast-paced, high-energy nature that requires great athleticism and flexibility.
Malaysia and Thailand have seen the emergence of this sport, which is now spreading around the world. It offers great exercise for both men and women of all ages and fitness levels.
The International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) sets the rules of sepak takraw and all equipment must meet their specifications. The ball used in competition should be made from synthetic rubber or covered in a soft yet durable material to minimize player impact.
When playing sepak takraw, players must keep their hands and arms away from the ball. They may only touch it with their feet, head, knees and chest; any contact made outside these areas will result in a point for the opposition.
Similar to volleyball, the objective of sepak takraw is for you to cause your opponent a mistake by hitting the ball over the net while it is in midair and without touching ground. In order to do this successfully, hit it while still airborne and without contact with ground.
Sepak takraw is usually played between two teams of three players each. Each side has a Tekong who stands furthest back on the court and Inside Left Inside and Right Inside who play closer to the net on each side of it.
The game begins with the Tekong serving the ball to a teammate on the receiving side. He then passes it on to Inside Left Inside and Inside Right Inside players on that team, who will attempt to send it over the net.
Each team is allowed a certain number of touches to send the ball over the net. Teams have up to three attempts before it hits the ground or fails to cross over onto the other side of the court.
Equipment
Sepak takraw is a fast-paced skill sport requiring athletes to possess exceptional fitness, flexibility and strength. It blends volleyball and badminton skills with gymnastics and agility moves. Regulated by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF), sepak takraw competitions take place worldwide.
This ancient game has been played since ancient times in Southeast Asia. Initially, it was a cooperative circle game where players would try to keep a small woven ball in the air for as long as possible, passing it around without using their hands or arms. Over time, however, the game evolved into one that is increasingly popular outside South-East Asia as well.
Takraw balls used to be made of rattan strips but are now usually woven synthetic fibers. Weights range from 140 grams to 200 grams, with younger players starting with lighter balls and gradually progressing toward heavier ones.
Tahraw courts can be either indoors or outdoors, depending on their size. The surface must be flat and uniform in shape with no divots or cracks. There should be a center line, sidelines, and two goal lines to denote specific areas of the court.
It is essential that the court surface be flat and level so players can hit the ball accurately and safely. Furthermore, it should be wide enough for everyone to move around comfortably.
The field of play measures 13 feet by 6.1 feet in size and features a 0.7-meter-wide net that hangs at 1.55 meters above it. A center line runs beneath this net, dividing the field into two equal parts.
Sepak takraw has a variety of rules that must be observed, such as fouls which may result in either a yellow or red card. A yellow card signifies an official warning while a red card disqualifies them from play altogether.
This game offers an entertaining and social way to stay fit. People of all ages play it, with particular popularity in Canada (home to many Asian communities) as well as the USA and Europe.
Competitions
Sepak takraw is an exhilarating team sport that requires players to perform spectacular flips and jumps. It takes place on a court with no net, overseen by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF).
Sepak takraw is believed to have evolved from an ancient Chinese game called Jianzi, which involves using your feet to juggle a feathered shuttlecock. Soldiers in China used this game as an exercise for improving their foot-eye coordination and athleticism.
The game eventually spread throughout Southeast Asia, where it was enjoyed by the royal courts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Additionally, reports indicate that it may have been played in Brunei and the Philippines around this time.
In the 1940s, Siam Sports Association issued the first formal rules for volleyball play. Along with these new guidelines came a volleyball-style net.
As the game gained popularity, it quickly became a beloved pastime among locals and was even included in many schools. Unfortunately, it took some time for its rules to become standardized and an official version of the game to emerge.
Some of the earliest games were played without a referee in villages, but eventually a system was put in place to regulate it. The first competition was held in 1945 at a swim club in Penang and soon spread throughout Malaysia and Singapore.
Today, sepak takraw is a globally popular sport that features in major international tournaments like the Asian and Southeast Asian Games, as well as major international competitions like ISTAF Super Series and World Cup. Although not an Olympic event yet, its popularity among teams and fans worldwide continues to grow.
Fans of the game have an incredible opportunity to get in on the action and show off their skills. It’s a fast-paced three-on-three sport perfect for athletes looking for some excitement in their lives.
Around St. Paul, many clubs and teams are eager to recruit more players into the sport. Gao Chang, one of their coaches, hopes that someday these young people will make it onto an international tournament.