Sepak takraw is an acrobatic sport that originated in Southeast Asia and has spread to other parts of the world. It’s an acrobatic sport where teams of two to four players use their feet and heads to volley a ball back and forth.
The game is governed by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF). It is not yet an Olympic sport, but its chances are brighter now that the Olympic Channel has given the green light to promote it.
Game rules
Sepak takraw (literally “live and kick”) is an exciting spectator sport, which originated in South Asia. It is similar to volleyball, soccer and other native sports of the region. However, it is much more acrobatic and requires excellent foot-eye coordination.
It is played on a court that is about the same size as a badminton court. It also has a 1.5-meter tall net. It uses grapefruit-sized balls that are traditionally handwoven from bamboo or rattan, but are now usually synthetic.
The game is governed internationally by the International Sepaktakraw Federation, formed in 1988. Major tournaments are held each year in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Each team, called a Regu, is composed of three players and two substitutes. The team serving first is determined by a coin toss before the match starts.
A player is thrown the ball by a teammate, and must kick it over the net using one foot inside a small serving circle. The rules of the game are very similar to those of volleyball, except that players cannot touch the ball with their hands or arms, and they must use other parts of their bodies to hit the ball.
Top takraw players combine excellent foot-eye coordination with agility, anticipation, power and flexibility. They can perform basic kicks including the sole kick, instep kick, knee kick, shin kick, shoulder kick and head kick.
Similarly, advanced maneuvers include the cross-legged jump kick, where the player crosses his left leg over his right and then leaps up to kick the ball with the instep of his left foot.
The team that scores the most points wins the match. A match is divided into sets, with each set consisting of 21 points.
Another common rule is that players are allowed a maximum of three touches with the ball before it can be crossed over the other side. If a team fails to return the ball within these limits, they lose a point.
Besides its similarities with volleyball, sepak takraw is also closely related to other native sports of the region. It is sometimes claimed to be similar to Cuju in China, Da Cau in Vietnam, Jegichagi in Korea and Kemari in Japan.
Court size
When determining the size of your sepak takraw court, you must keep in mind the number of players. You must ensure that the players have enough room to maneuver around their opponents and reach the ball without difficulty. In addition, you must make sure that there are no obstacles or divots in the court floor that would prevent them from being able to play the game.
The basic rules of sepak takraw are similar to those of volleyball, but instead of using your hands to hit the ball, you use your feet. This allows for much greater movement and flexibility than other volleyball-like games.
It is also a great exercise for your whole body. In fact, it is often used to increase strength and cardiovascular fitness.
Whether you are interested in playing the sport in your home or at a community park, it is important that you have a court with a high net. The net height should be 1.52 meters for the men’s division and 1.42 meters for the women’s division.
You should also choose a court that is wide enough for your team. It should be at least 6.1 meters wide for the men’s division and 4.5 meters for the women’s division.
In addition, you should consider choosing an artificial turf for your court. This type of flooring is designed to quickly drain water away, so your court can be used even in wet weather.
Another advantage of choosing an artificial turf is that it will be much more durable than real grass or another type of flooring. It will be able to stand up to the wear and tear of your team’s training sessions.
The sport of sepak takraw originated in Southeast Asia, where it is known as “Sepak Raga” or “Takraw”. It was introduced to Canada by Laotian refugees in the 1970s and has since become a popular activity across the country.
Rick Engel, a Saskatchewan teacher and sports coach, helped to bring the sport to Canada and has been a key figure in the development of Sepak Takraw worldwide. He has authored three instructional books on the sport and has helped produce five DVDs about the game. He has also coached and conducted Sepak Takraw skills clinics all over Canada, the US and Europe.
Ball size
In sepak takraw, there are 3 players on each team. They compete on a volleyball-style court with a net across the middle. The ball is slightly smaller than a volleyball and the players must use their feet, knees, chest and head to touch it.
The game originated in Southeast Asia and was brought to Canada by Lao refugees in the 1970s. It gained a lot of popularity here in the 1980s. It is a skillful sport that calls for explosive power and agility.
One of the most appealing aspects of sepak takraw is the ability to use the feet and legs to kick the ball into the air. This is possible by incorporating basic moves like the sole kick (using the arch of the foot), instep kick, knee kick, shin kick and shoulder kick. An advanced move is the cross-legged jump kick, which involves crossing your left leg over your right before leaping up and kicking the ball with the instep of your left foot.
There are also many other skills involved in playing the game of sepak takraw. A player must be able to control the ball, hit it and spin it at different angles and speed. They also need to be able to keep their balance on the court and bounce it back without dropping the ball or hurting themselves.
As far as the ball is concerned, it is made from synthetic rubber or a durable material that is soft and reduces the impact on the player’s body. The ball is also smaller than a volleyball, which makes it easier for the player to strike it.
While the game is played in a variety of countries, it is most popular in Malaysia and Thailand. In fact, these two nations are the primary members of the International Sepak Takraw Federation.
The sport has been growing in popularity outside of Southeast Asia over the last few years, with Oman, India and Iran making strong bids for international recognition. But even so, ISTAF remains short of the numbers it needs to qualify for the Olympics.
Scoring
In the game of sepak takraw, two teams face each other across a shoulder-high net. A ball is thrown over the net and each team gets three chances to kick, knee, shoulder or head the ball back to the other side.
It is a highly skilled game that requires the coordination, strength, agility, and reflexes of a gymnast and the instinctive reflexes of a badminton player. It is also considered a sport that promotes healthy living and fitness.
The game began in Malaysia and has now spread throughout the world. It was introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpar, and has been played at the South East Asian Games and the Asian Games.
A team of three players on each side face each other over a court that is about 13 feet by 6.1 feet. The courts have a net that is about 1.52 meters high for men and 1.42 for women.
Each team has a set of rules. The first rule is that a pass must go over the opponents’ net. If the ball is not passed over the net, it is a point for the defending team.
Another rule is that if a team fails to return the ball within three touches, it is a point for the opposing team. The team that scores the most points in a set is the winner.
The court is a large oval with a center line and four corners. The perimeter of the court is curved, so that the players can easily hit the ball back and forth.
Unlike volleyball, sepak takraw is played with no hands and instead uses the feet. It is a fast-paced, acrobatic, skillful sport that is popular in Malaysia and Thailand.
It is governed by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF). Major competitions include the ISTAF World Cup and ISTAF Super Series.
The sport is not yet an Olympic event, but it is a very competitive sport and one that is rapidly gaining recognition. It is a highly athletic sport that incorporates ball skills, juggling, and acrobatic movements. It is a great way to get into shape and have fun.