By Kyle Padgett & Braden Griner Sepak Takraw By Kyle Padgett & Braden Griner

Sepak Takraw Sepak takraw or kick volleyball, is a sport native to the Malay-Thai Peninsula. Sepak takraw differs from the similar sport of volleyball in its use of a rattan ball and only allowing players to use their feet, knee, chest and head to touch the ball. It is a popular sport in Southeast Asia.

More info. 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. Earliest historical evidence shows that the game was played in the 15th century's Malacca Sultanate.

Rules and Regulations Measurements of court and equipment often vary among tournaments and organizations that operate from a recreational to a competitive level; international competitive rules and regulation are used in this section. There two types of event categories: the regu and the doubles regu. The regu category is played by three players on each team while the doubles regu is played by two players on each team. The sepak takraw sport is played on a similar to badminton double sized court.

Court Size 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.

Net The net will be made of fine ordinary cord or nylon with 6 cm to 8 cm mesh. Similar to a volleyball net. The net will 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 is 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.

Ball The sepak takraw ball shall be spherical in shape, made of synthetic fiber or one woven layer. Sepak takraw 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 color, multi-color, and luminous colors, but not in any color that will impair the performance of the players. The sepak takraw 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 Sepak Takraw Federation, including but not limited to, the Olympic Games, World Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and SEA Games, must be played with ISTAF approved sepak takraw balls.

Beginning Play 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.

Faults Faults for 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. Faults for serving and receiving side during service Creating distracting manner or noise or shouting at his opponent.

Faults Cont. Faults for both sides during Game play Any player who touches the ball on the opponent side or 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).

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 +/-

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