Sepak takraw is one of Southeast Asia’s most beloved sports, boasting millions of enthusiasts throughout its vast region and being an important economic driver.
Chinese Kung Fu first developed several centuries ago as a form of foot-eye coordination and athletic development training, spread via commercial contacts among China and its neighbors.
Origin
Sepak takraw is an international sport played throughout Southeast Asia. It resembles various other local games of Southeast Asia such as Sepak raga (in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia), Takraw (in Thailand), Rago (in Indonesia), Sipa (Philippines), Chinlone (Myanmar), Kataw (Laos) and Sek Dai (Cambodia).
Legend holds that it began as an exercise designed to develop foot-eye coordination and athleticism among soldiers in China, becoming one of the world’s most beloved sports in its own right.
Kickball is a fast-paced team sport in which participants use only their feet, knees, shoulders, chest, and head to touch the rattan ball over a net.
Sepak Takraw is played on an indoor court resembling badminton and is overseen by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF). Teams of two to four players take turns kicking the ball over the net.
Sepak takraw players can learn a number of techniques that will hone their game, such as the sunback spike. This move, similar to horse kicking but performed from an elevated position, takes skill and precision.
Sepak takraw athletes must also master the roll spike – an aerial move which combines bicycle kick and somersault into an explosive jumping kick that, when performed properly, results in the ball being sent flying over an opponent’s head or shoulder with great force.
Players must also possess the skill of quickly spinning the ball to increase the force of their kicks. This ability will prove essential in winning many matches.
Sepak takraw requires players to possess not only the necessary skills but also be well-rounded athletes capable of handling the physical demands imposed by this game. They should be strong, agile and possess good balance.
The first recorded instance of sepak takraw in Chinese history can be found in Chengdu, originating from an original game which involved juggling a shuttlecock using foot techniques. Soon, its popularity spread through trade between China and its neighbors.
Rules
Sepak takraw is a fast-paced game requiring high levels of physical fitness as well as skill and technique, popular across Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Rules and regulations related to sepak takraw vary between nations; some have even established national-level federations structures.
Sepak takraw is typically played between two teams of three players each. A typical match features the first team to reach 21 points winning their set; otherwise tiebreakers may be utilized to determine who has come out victorious.
Rattan balls with spherical shapes are used in this sport, which requires at least 12 holes and 20 intersections. Men must use 42 to 44 cm circumference balls while 43- 45 cm ones are suitable for women players. They weigh 170 to 180 g for male users while 150-1600 grams should suffice.
Originally, sepak takraw was played without a net; however, since 1940s this has changed and an appropriate net has been added for play.
To be successful at this game, players must hit the ball over the net and into the court (roughly equivalent to that of badminton) so as to score points. They may use any combination of their feet, knees, head, chest, and arms in order to control and hit it over.
Players must wear the proper attire, jersey and shoes when participating in this game. Furthermore, they should try not to touch the net and can earn points by disorienting opponents during serving.
One way to score in sepak takraw is by getting the ball back over the net in three hits or less. This goal gives more points and increases their chance of victory.
Although sepak takraw has numerous complex rules and regulations, the sport remains both exciting and enjoyable to watch. Sepak takraw provides an effective way for young athletes to stay in shape while remaining fun to do!
International Sepaktakraw Federation is responsible for overseeing this sport and overseeing national-level federations memberships. There are currently more than 30 recognized by ISTAF worldwide.
Equipment
Sepak takraw is an exciting Southeast Asian sport played on an indoor court using feet, knees, chest and head movements to hit a hollow rattan ball over a low-hanging net. Similar to volleyball but played with smaller courts and using synthetic balls instead of natural ones.
Though widely practiced across Malaysia, Thailand and Southeast Asian nations, martial arts isn’t an Olympic sport; but rather an integral demonstration sport at biennial Southeast Asian Games with a longstanding history in Southeast Asian cultures.
A common form of the game takes place on courts approximately the width of badminton courts, equipped with shoulder-high nets and featuring two teams facing each other across them. Pairs or threes teams vie to score 15 points first to win their set.
Golf can be enjoyed across various venues, from school sports grounds to international tournaments. As golf becomes more widely played in North America and Australia, its popularity grows steadily while remaining relatively unknown elsewhere.
One of the most favored forms of the game involves an acrobatic bicycle kick, in which players use one foot to kick the ball downward in an acrobatic cycle kick. Experienced players may even transform this movement into a somersault before landing back on their feet afterward.
Not only is a net and rattan ball essential, but lightweight athletic shoes with flat insteps may also be necessary. Since the weave of the rattan ball determines its springy, soft and fast rebound properties, players may require several types of footwear before discovering what works best.
Different variants of sepak takraw exist as well, including sepak takraw which involves passing players around in a circular pattern in exchange for points. This variant was featured as an event at the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok 1998 as well as being included as part of the International Sepaktakraw Federation World Cup tournament.
India boasts several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to promoting football as an after school activity for underprivileged areas. One such NGO, Stairs, has set up three sites for six boys to play this sport every day of the week in north Delhi and Chandrawal.
Scoring
Sepak takraw is one of the most beloved Asian sports, attracting teams from throughout Southeast Asia to compete at international tournaments. Dating back as far as 15th century Malaysia, Sepak takraw has long been one of its signature features.
Sepak Takraw is a team sport similar to volleyball that requires high levels of physical fitness. Instead of using just hands to hit the ball back and forth across a net, Sepak Takraw relies on feet, head, knees, chest, head and knees in controlling and kicking over grapefruit-sized ball over it.
In general, during a game of badminton, players serve three times and then hit the ball over the net as often as possible to score touches for points against their opposition side – ultimately winning them the match with most points earned.
Sepak Takraw courts are comparable to badminton courts, with five-foot nets. Players wear jerseys, shoes, and protective guards while using cane balls as balls in Sepak Takraw matches.
Game play begins with a coin toss and server must then serve the ball to their opposing team using only his feet, head, knees and chest to touch it; any other part of his body touching it results in an offense and points for opponent team.
Before serving, the server should place his jersey and headband on the ground and avoid touching the net or creating distractions during serving.
He must not jump off of the ground, which would violate rules and incur penalties; similarly, his opponent should endeavor not to kick the ball outside the court.
Although sepak takraw has ancient origins, it remains an extremely popular sport today both in Thailand and internationally. Additionally, it serves as an important demonstration sport at every Asian Games competition held since 1986.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have adopted Sepak Takraw as part of their national teams and it is overseen by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF), formed in 1988.