Sepak Takraw, also called kick volleyball, is a sport that is played all throughout Southeast Asia. The sport was developed from a traditional sport called Sepak raga. There are related sports in other Asian countries, such as sipa in the Philippines, chinlone from Myanmar. It is also claimed to be related to cuju in China and kemari in Japan.
The sport is also known as kick volleyball, as it can simply be described as volleyball using the feet. There are actually many differences from volleyball. Sepak takraw uses a rattan ball, and the players only use their feet, knee, chest, and head to touch the ball. Sepak takraw may be played indoors or outdoors like at the beach.
Two teams play with three members each, the teams are called regus. One player is situated at the back and that player is called tekong.
The tekong serves the ball. Once the ball is served; the players are allowed to move freely around the court. Using the hands is not permitted, and each player can touch the ball only once before it is hit over the net. The ball can be returned over the net using any part of the body except for the arm from the shoulder to the point of the finger.
Sepak takraw usually consists of three sets, 21 points per set; the team who wins two sets wins the game.
Not being able to use the arms means that there are spectacular jumps and flips to attempt to kick the ball over the net. See videos of the sport of Speak Takraw in action.
Similar Sports
- Volleyball — a game for two teams of six players, in which a large ball is hit by hand over a high net, the aim being to score points by making the ball reach the ground on the opponent's side of the court.
- Footvolley — beach volleyball played with the feet.
- Jokgu — a Korean sport that resembles a mix of football and volleyball.
- Footbag Net — players have to kick a footbag over a 5ft high net
- Football Tennis — volleyball-type sport played with the feet but allowing a bounce and with a lower net like in tennis.
- Sipa — a sport from the Philippines in which the aim is to kick the ball to the other side of the net onto the opponent’s side without it touching the ground.
- Chinlone — the traditional sport of Burma or Myanmar, a team sport combined with dance (also known as Caneball).
Related Pages
- Sepak Takraw has been part of the Asian Games
- Sepak Takraw at the Commonwealth Games — a demonstration sport.
- Discussion of Volleyball-Type Sports
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports