ELLIOT COUSINS SEPAK TAKRAW

INTRODUCTION 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. In Malaysia, the game is called sepak raga or "takraw". It is also thuck thay (Lao: "twine" and "kick") while in Thailand it is sometimes called takraw. In Myanmar it is known as chin lone (Although in Myanmar it is considered more of an art and there is often no opposing team. The point is to keep the ball aloft gracefully and interestingly.). In the Philippines, besides "takraw" it is also known as sipa, meaning "kick".

COURT

RULES 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 side that must serve first shall start the first set. The side that wins the first set shall have the options of “Choosing Service”.

RULES CONT. 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.

SCORING SYSTEM 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 don’t have to play the 5th (or 3rd) set if the winner is known. In a league system it is mandatory for all teams to complete all 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.

SCORING SYSTEM CONT. 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 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: a 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 (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 +/-

VIDEO Sepak Takraw