LITERATURE REVIEW

'Sepak Raga' was the name of an ancient game played in the Malay states and in the
neighbouring countries of Singapore and Brunei. 'Sepak' is Malay for "kick" and 'Raga' is the
"rattan ball" used in the game, which involved players standing in a circle keeping the 'Raga'
in the air for as long as possible without using their hands. Variations of this were played in
other Southeast Asian countries too; in Thailand it was called "Takraw", in the Philippines,
"Sepa Sepa", in Myanmar, "Ching Loong", in Indonesia, "Rago" and in Laos, "Kator".

Earliest evidence shows that the game was played in Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia's most
historical city, in the 15 century, for it is mentioned in the famous Malay historical text, "The
Sejarah Melayu" (Malay Annals). However, the game had undergone a significant change by
the mid-1930s. In 1935, in the Malaysian State of Negeri Sembilan, during the Silver Jubilee
celebration of King George V, 'Sepak Raga' was played on a badminton court over the net with
players on both sides. Both badminton and 'Sepak Raga' rules were combined to form a new,
very exciting game. Because the game was introduced during the Jubilee celebration, it was
known as 'Sepak Raga Jubilee'.

It is not clear, but most probably, the game then gained popularity in Negeri Sembilan and
spread to the other states. During World War II, the game developed rapidly in Penang. In the
years after World War II right up to the early 'fifties', it was possible to see the game played in
rural areas and towns all over the country - especially in areas where the Malay population was
quite large.

It is believed that the development of modern Sepaktakraw is mainly due to three persons from
Penang. In February, 1945 a net (Jaring) and rules similar to volleyball was introduced by
Hamid Maidin. He had invited Mohamad Abdul Rahman (the best player with Raga Bulatan -
or Circle Game) and Syed Yaacob to try his new twist on 'Net Sepak Raga'. They loved it
because of the faster pace, the different styles of kicking and the higher standard of athleticism
that it demanded.
The Malaysian Sepak Raga Federation was founded at a conference held at the Community
Hall in Penang, June 25, 1960. Delegates from Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang
attended. The first President was Mr. Mohd Khir Johari. Later the same year, representatives
from various Southeast Asian counties met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city, to
establish a standard set of rules and regulations for the game. To promote the game further in
Malaysia, an inter-state competition was organised in 1962. Penang became the first holder of
the Khir Johari Gold Cup. By then, Sepak Raga Jaring (Sepak Raga Net) had become one of
the more popular games in the country, and today modern Sepaktakraw is Malaysia's national
sport.

The prime opportunity to create more international recognition for the game came when
Malaysia hosted the 1965 South East Asia Peninsular Games (SEAP Games, inaugurated in
1959). For the first time in the SEAP Games, this new sport was included as a medal event, but
not before a lengthy discussion between Malaysian and Singapore delegates, on the one hand,
and Laos and Thai delegates, on the other, with regard to the official name of the sport. The
SEAP Games Committee eventually agreed that the sport would be known as "SEPAK
TAKRAW". Sepak means "KICK" in Malay and Takraw means "WOVEN BALL" in Thai.
Also in 1965, the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF) was formed to govern the sport in
Asia, then in 1992 the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) was formed as the world
governing body for the sport.

Sepaktakraw has been on the move, being a medal event in the larger "Asian Games" held in
Beijing, 1990, in Hiroshima, 1994 and in Bangkok, 1998. Women's events were introduced for
the first time in an international tournament in 1997 at the Xlll King's Cup Sepaktakraw World
Championships in Thailand. "Cirlce Sepak Takraw" (where 5 players who stand in a circle
receive different levels of points for each successful passing kick - actually a modification of
an earlier game that was popular in Thailand called Hoop Takraw), was introduced for the first
time in the 1998 Asian Games. Also, making history in 1998, Sepak Takraw was introduced
as a demonstration event in the Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur - seen for the
first time in a non-Asian, international sporting event! Now there are enthusiasts in some 20
countries around the world that are playing Sepak Takraw.
SKILLS AND TECHNIQUE

Inside Kick.
Arguably it is the most important skill. This is the kick you will use the most. Watch any top
class players in action and you'll see that this is the control kick of choice. This move sets up
all the killer spikes. While doing an inside kick, you should stand in a good athletic stance.
Feet shoulder width apart. Remember to bend your support leg at the knee. And, it is
important, always keep an eye on the ball! The kicking motion is easy and don't swing at the
ball too hard. The ball is bouncy and you need to just hit it in the right spot on your foot as
well as with the proper motion. Try a few times of simply tossing the ball to yourself. Focus
on the ball and pop it back up to your hands. Catch the ball and then try again. Do this until
the ball is consistently coming back up with ease and pop it back up to your hands. Once you
have gained consistency in this drill you can begin to try to link some kicks together. Try
dropping to your strong foot, popping the ball up and then kicking with your weak foot
before catching the ball. Try to link three kicks together, on alternating feet. You should be
able to see your progression. All rights reserved. Spiker Dek is owned by Sport Action
International in the promotion of sepaktakraw in the Takraw Thailand League. All rights
reserved.

Knee/Thigh kick.
The knee and thigh is used when the ball comes fast towards the area between your knees and
your waist. This skill is used to "bump" or deflect the ball up enough to use an inside kick to
control the ball. It is also used when kicking consecutive kicks or in a circle and the ball gets
to close to your body. The motion is like a high step marching motion. Simply raise the leg
with your hip allowing your knee to bend.Try to contact the ball on the thigh where possible
instead of the knee as it provides better control. Make sure the ball hits the fleshy part of the
thigh to "bump" the ball up and out a bit. Try a few back up to your hands. Once you feel
comfortable, try to link with one inside kick, then catch the ball. Do this over and over until it
comes naturally. Once you get this combination and doing it naturally without thinking, you
will be aware of your improvement in skill.
Header.
The header is probably the second most important skill to have, especially in the net game.
The header is used to pop up a ball that comes higher than the waist. The best way to learn
the header is like the inside kick. The contact point should be just above the forehead at he
hairline, not too much on the forehead and not too much on the top of the head, right in
between. Toss the ball to yourself, hit it with your head and then catch it. Do this several
times until you feel comfortable with this skill. When doing the header, remember to bend
your knees and get low beneath the ball. Like the other kicks, you don't need to focus on
power but on accuracy and placement. The next step in this skill drill is to toss the ball higher
and again control it with your head before catching the ball. It hurts a bit at first, but you'll get
use to it. The graduating step is to a header from a high inside kick or from a header to a
controlling inside kick. Try both combinations as you will be using both of them as you begin
to play more

Front kick/Toe kick.

The toe kick is a defensive kick, great for saving a ball that has gotten out in front of you. It is
not, however, a good control kick. Those who play soccer may disagree, but in sepaktakraw
the inside is the right way. Learn the toe kick for saves,the inside for control. The toe kick is
achieved by placing the foot out for the ball and depending on the height of the, either lifting
the foot with your hip or just letting the ball bounce off. You don't need much power because
the ball tends to fly off uncontrollably. Do it slow and take it easy. Like the other kicks, do the
same toss and catch drill. Then try with different combinations. Do the same progression.
Body Piercing Shop Belly Button Rings Whip Guide Lyrics archive Love Lyrics phone cards

Horse kick serve

A horse kick serve is difficult to accomplish, and requires a high level of skill and flexibility.
The horse kick actually refers to a high kick; kick as high as you need the ball to go, and, using
your foot, hit the ball backwards over your shoulder or head.

Sunback spike
A sunback spike is similar to the horse kick, but done in a jump. To master this, take off on one
leg and and kick the other up (a scissor kick) while still in the air. Before finishing the jump
kick, hit the ball over your shoulder or head with your other leg.
Roll spike
A simple roll spike refers to jumping on one leg and flipping in the direction that you want
your ball to move, all while remaining airborne. Using the other foot, kick the ball over your
opposite shoulder. You should perform the entire spike while still in the air, only landing after
you have made contact with the ball.

BALL OF SEPAK TAKRAW

The sepak takraw ball shall be spherical, made of synthetic fibre 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 to 44 cm (16.5–17.3 in) for men and from
43 to 45 cm (16.9–17.7 in) for women, and must have a weight that ranges from 170 to 180 g
(6.0–6.3 oz) for men and from 150 to 160 g (5.3–5.6 oz) for women.The ball can be in plain
single colour, multi-colour, and luminous colours, but not in any colour 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.[18]
COURT

Figure : Sepak takraw court diagram

The sepak takraw sport is played on a similar to badminton double sized court. Area of 13.4 by
6.1 metres (44 ft × 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 shall be made of fine ordinary cord or nylon with 6 cm to 8 cm mesh. Similar to a
volleyball net. The net shall 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 shall be 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) at the posts.