Introductions:

The game of sepak takraw is played with a ball called bola takraw which is made from
cane (rattan), on a court measuring 44 feet (13.41 cm) long and 20 feet (60.17 m) wide. The
game is played by two teams which consist of at least three players per side. In playing the
game, all parts of the body such as the head chest, feet, thighs, except the hands or forearms
can be used to propel the ball over a net which stands at five feet (center of court
measurement).

History:
The sepak takraw game has been traditionally played by the Malay of Peninsular
Malaysia for centuries. It used to be a popular sport in the Royal Courts of Malacca in the 15th
century. At that time, it was played by a group of people in circular formation. The players who
formed the circle would then try to keep the ball in the air without letting it drop to the ground
by propelling the cane ball with their head and feet and counting the number of time the make
contact with the head or feet.

Inevitably, time brought change and in 1945, a net (Jaring) and a number of rules were
made in implementing the game. At present time, a standard set of rules is being used for
competitions at all levels.

Aside from Malaysia, this sport also has a following in some countries in the Southeast
Asian region. The other countries that participate in this sport are Thailand, Singapore, Laos,
Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar (Burma). The different cultural backgrounds of these
countries prompted the game to be played in various form although there were many areas of
similarities. Arising out of a desire to standardize the rules, promote and improve and gain
international recognition for sport, four countries, namely, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, and
Malaysia, cooperated and succeeded in getting this sport include as one of the sport in the
Southeast Asia Peninsular Games with is held once every two years since 1965. With this
development, the game Sepak Raga Jaring was changed to Sepak Takraw. At that inaugural
four-nation Sepak Takraw championships in 1965, the Asian Sepak takraw Federation was
formed.

The Sepak Takraw game in the Philippines was introduced in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in
1981. This was followed by a seminar-clinic in the same year.

By virtue of DECS order issued in 1981 Sepak Takraw was included in all physical
education and sport programs of the secondary and tertiary levels of competitions up to
Palarong Pambansa. Since then, it has become a part of the country’s sport development
program.

The team and players:

A team can comprise any number of sides. But each side must consist of three players.
Any team that consist of less than three players shall not be allowed to play and the game must
be stopped at once. Substitutes, not more than one, are allowed in case of an accident.

The player who stands at the center of the court or the one who takes opening kick
during the service is known as the Tekong (back). The player on his right known as the inside-
right while the player who is on the left of the Tekong (back) is known as the inside-left.

Equipment:
The Sepak Takraw Ball – The takraw ball shall be round, made of one layer of rattan
consisting of eight to ten pieces and each piece being sliced to about 1/8” in width. The
circumference of the ball shall be at least 16” or at most 17”; the weight of the ball shall be
between 160 to 180 grams.
 The Net – The net shall be made from twine or nylon chord which are thin but strong
and the recommended thickness of the twine or nylon chord is 0.25 cm while the net holes
shall each measure 3.81 x 3.81 square cm. The length of the net shall measure 6.70 m and the
width shall be 71.12cm. Both the top and the bottom of the net shall have bonds of strong
white material 5.08 cm in width with space running through from one end to the other so that
so that two pieces of strong chord can run through from one part to the other stretching the
net tightly. The top of the net which has been fully stretched sideways shall measure 1.52 m
from the surface of the court at the center while both its ends at the posts shall be 2.54 cm
from the floor.

The Posts – The post with 30.48 cm in height from the surface of the court shall be placed
upright one foot away from the side line directly opposite the points where the center line
meets the two side lines. These post shall be of strong and hard material measuring 10.16 x
10.16 cm square or 7.62 cm radius for cylindrical posts.

Players’ Equipment- Every player shall be properly dressed with a pair of shorts, a shirt
or jersey, a pair of rubber sole shoes with a pair of socks. Players are not allowed to wear
anything that shall endanger other players.
 The Court – The court of the playing surface shall be 13.41 m in length and 6.09 m in
width including the outer edge of all the lines. The court may be constructed in any clearing
with a leveled surface and its surroundings free from any form of obstruction or it may also be
constructed in any hall.

The two long lines on the court are known as the side lines and they meet the two ends of the
shorter lines known as the line. The court is divided into two parts by a straight line marking
each part of the court or an area of 6.70 m squire.

The center line that divides the court is known as the center line.

At the two points where the center line meets the side line, two semi-circles with a radius of
91.44 cm are drawn forming four quarter-circle. From within any of these quarter-circle, the
takraw ball is served or thrown for a service of the opening kick of the game.

In each half of the court,2.43 m from the base line and 3.04 m from the side line, a circle of
60.96 cm radius is to be marked and this circle is known as the server’s circle.

All line in the court must be clearly marked with either chalk or paint or plastic tape and should
not be more than one inch in width.

The Game
 The game start as soon as one of the inside player throws or serves the ball by hand to
the Tekong. The Tekong shall kick the served ball into his opponents’ court. The opponent’s, on
receiving the service, are allowed to play the ball not more than three times. On the third
count, the ball must be played into the other half of the court if the ball is kicked into the net
before the third count, it can still be played but not during the service. Each side need not play
the ball three times for they are allowed to propel the ball across the net to the opponents’
event at the first count or the second. The same player can play the ball more than once up to
even three times.

Play shall continue until the ball land or touches the floor or until a fault is committed by
any of the players. A player is allowed to step out of court to save the ball from being dead
while play is in progress.

The side that makes the service shall gain a point if any member of the opposing side
drops the side that floor of the court or infringes any rules of the game. On the other hand, the
side that executes the service loses no point if similar fault are committed. The decisions shall
be a side over.

Service
The Tekong for the team that executes the service, shall have one leg within the
service’s circle while the other leg is out of the circle preparing to kick the ball that shall be
served to him.

At the same time, the inside player of the same team shall stand in their own quarter
circles. One of these players shall hold the ball in his hand ready to serve or throw it to his
Tekong as soon as the umpire announces the score. When the inside player has served the ball
to his Tekong, the Tekong shall kick the ball with his foot that is outside the circle and the ball
must cross the net into the opponent’s court. It is recommended that the Tekong uses his in-
step in this kick.

The group that awaits the service may stand anywhere within their court. If the ball,
upon service, touches the net and lands in the opponent’s court, second and final service shall
be taken.

The team or side that is entitled to the service:

1. The team or side that wins the toss and chooses the service.
 2. The side that wins the first set gets the privilege to taken the service in the second
set.

3. The side that wins the second set shall take the service for the third set.

4. The side that reaches the eighth point in the third set shall take the service when the
“change-over” takes place.

5. The team or side that loses the toss shall take the service when the winning group
decides on the choice of the court.

6. The ball is considered dead in the opponent’s court or when the opponents commit a
fault.

In Play
The takraw ball may be played be any part of the body except the hands or forearms.

The ball shall be held dead by any part of the body.

If player touches the ball or vice-versa during play, it shall be considered as playing it.

When the ball touches a player’s hand or forearm at any time during play, it shall be
considered as a fault having been committed by the player.

The ball must be distinctly played so as to rebounce and not glide along any part of the
body.

Normally, the ball is being played by the lower limbs and the head.
Simultaneous Touch
When the ball is touched simultaneous by two opposing players above the net, the
player from the team receiving the ball is considered as having played it last. After the
simultaneous touch, the team is considered as having played fallen and shall have three more
counts to play.

If after the simultaneous touch, the ball lands on the ground within the court, the team
on whose side the ball lands loses a point. On the other hand, if the ball lands outside the court,
the other team is at fault.
The Kick
The kick is the most important skill in this game, be it for attacking or for defense. Kicks
which are apparently effective are those executed by the in-step. A player who masters his
kicks is able to control the ball, clear the ball, set the ball, make a good pass, and even spike the
ball into his opponent’s court. Kicks can also be executed by the back of the foot, the toss and
even by the flat of the foot.

Heading and Controlling with the Head

 The ability to head the ball is an important skill in the game. Heading is a skill used in
this game to return the ball into the opponent’s court, to pass within one’s own court or to set
the ball for a good smash into any open space in the opponent’s court.

Both the inside players should be efficient in the above skills while the Tekong shall do
just as well to master the skill in controlling the ball with his head.

Controlling and Retrieving

Controlling and retrieving a ball in play are two skills that are very useful to master.

They are often used in attack and defense.

Every player should always think of controlling the ball when attacked or when in
possession of the ball. The best way of controlling the ball is with the in-step, the thigh and the
head. There are few methods of retrieving such as making use of the head, chest, thigh, foot
and the toes.

Passing and Setting

 Passing and setting are two skills which are about the same in many respects and the
only difference is in the way the ball is received. A pass is when the ball is kicked or headed to
one’s own player who shall set the ball for another player while setting is a skill executed by a
kick or a head which propels the ball high up above the net to enable a player to smash the ball
down into his opponent’s court either by using his foot or his head.

A pass is when the ball is sent by a player to his own mate but a set can be made by a
player to his mate for a kill shot or it can also be made by a player who will himself smash the
ball into his opponent’s court for a kill.

A good pass or a good set is that which is sent or set to the right and forward or to the
left and forward and the ball should not travel too fast. Such a pass or set shall enable the
receiver to execute an appropriate stroke with care. Players should avoid sending a fast pass or
set for this will make it more difficult for the player receiving the pass or set to execute a
smash.

A Smash or a Spike
A smash or a spike is another important skill which is used by an attacking team in its
third and final stroke. Smash that falls to kill will only enable the opponents to counter-attack
to gain the winning point or the service or to plan new tactical move.

Whenever the ball is in possession of a team, all its players should be thinking of killing
the ball in their opponent’s court. A kill can be achieved either by a sharp leg smash or a head
smash or even by kicking or heading the ball into open space in the opponent’s court or to the
body of the opponents.

To kill the ball into one’s opponent’s court when the ball is close to the net is a big
advantage. Therefore, when a side is in command of the ball close to the set, such an
opportunity to smash should be taken.

Blocking
A block is a defensive skill adopted for the purpose of blocking a head or a foot smash
coming from above and close the net. A block is usually done by an inside player’s back or by
his foot that is raised high above the net.

Play at the Net

When in play, except during service, the ball can still be played even if it touches the net
so long as it has not been played three times. If in the case of smash , the ball hits the net and its
pressure causes the net to touch an opponent, he is not considered as having committed an
offense.

Faults in the Game

When a team makes the service and makes a fault, the opponents take service in turn. If,
on the other hand, the opponents who are waiting to receive the service make a fault, a point is
awarded to the team that makes the service. Faults are said to have been committed when:
1. a Tekong does not place one foot in the circle or part of that foot in touching the line of the
circle

2. a Tekong does not make the service with his foot which is outside the circle

3. a service is taken while the inside players are not within their quarter-circles or when their feet
are touching any part of the quarter-circles

4. a service is made and the ball touches the net to rebounce into the server’s court

5. upon service, the ball touches the net and falls outside the court on the opponent’ half

6. upon service, the ball touches the net and falls in the opponents’ half of the court three times
successively

7. upo service, all the other players await outside the court;

8. in play, a player touches the center line, the net or the posts with any part of his body or clothes

9. the ball touches a hand or forearms

10. a player holds the ball in any way

11. a ball glides down of any part of the body

12. in play, a team plays the ball more than three times successively in its own court

13. in play, a player raises his foot too high close to the net to hinder an opponent who is about
to smash the ball which has been his own mate

Officials of the game

In playing Sepak Takraw, there are some officials who take charge of the game, namely:
the umpire, associate umpire and two linesmen. The umpire gives decision with regards to the
rules of the game. The associate or assistant umpire assists the umpire in guarding the player or
the ball that goes beyond the center line or the ball that touches the net. The linesmen coordinate
with the umpire and they signal the all “in” and “out” whenever the ball lands near their line.

TEST
I. modified True or False: Write True if the statement is correct and if the statement is false,
change the underlined word or words to make the statement correct.

1. In Sepak Takraw, it is considered a fault if the ball touches a player’s hand or forearm at
any time during play.

2. Sepak Takraw is played with the ball called bola takraw.

3. The name Sepak Takraw originated in Malaysia.

4. The game Sepak Takraw was introduced in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in 1982.

5. Tekong is the name of the server in Sepak Takraw.

6. The Tekong for the team that executes the service, shall have one leg within the service’s
circle while the other leg is out of the circle preparing to kick the ball that shall be served to
him.

7. The ability to kick the ball is important skill in the game.

8. The takraw ball may be played be any part of the body except the hands and forearms.

9. The game start as soon as one of the inside player throws or serves the ball by hand to the
Tekong.

10. The court of the playing surface shall be 13.41 m in length and 6.09 m in width including
the outer edge of all the lines.

II. Matching Type: Match column A with column B. Write only the letter of the correct answer.

A
1. Is a defensive skill adopted for the purpose of blocking a head or a foot smash coming from
above and close the net.

2. A ball in play are two skills that are very useful to master.

3. The team that executes the service.

4. What is the length of the sepak takraw court.

5. What is the width of the sepak takraw court.

6. The ball shall be round, made of one layer of rattan consisting of eight to ten pieces and each
piece being sliced to about 1/8” in width. The circumference of the ball shall be at least 16” or
at most 17”; the weight of the ball shall be between 160 to 180 grams.

7. The game has been traditionally played by the Malay of Peninsular Malaysia for centuries.

8. At that time, it was played by a group of people in circular formation.

B
a. 13.41
b. Block
c. Controlling and retrieving
d. 6.09
e. Tekong
f. Takraw ball
g. Sepak Takraw
h. 15th century
i. 14th century

UNIT TEST
I. Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.

1. A can comprise any number of side, but each side must consist of three players.

2. The ball shall be round, made of one layers of rattan consisting of eight to ten pieces
and each piece being sliced to about 1/8” in width.

3. The takraw ball may be played by any part of the body except the .

4. The is the important skill in this game.

5. A is a defensive skill adopted for the purpose of blocking a head or a foot smash
coming from above and close to the

6. The game has been traditionally played by the Malays of Peninsular Malaysia
for centuries.

7. The shall be made from twine or nylon chord.

8. The , for the team that executes the service.

9. A or as other important skill which is used by an
attacking team in its third and final stroke.

10. The game of Sepak Takraw is played with a ball called .

TEST

I. Loop-a-word and make a statement about it.

TEST YOURSIFE

I. Draw the court of sepak takraw and give the measure of the length, width, service
circle, and quarter circle in the court.