Sepak Takraw
Sepak Takraw is a sport which is played all throughout Southeast Asia. It is called sepak raga in Malay, sipa in Filipino, cau may Iin Vietnamese, and ka-taw in Lao. The sport is also known as kick volleyball. It is actually slightly different from volleyball. Sepak takraw uses a rattan ball, and the players only use their feet, knee, chest, and head to touch the ball.
This sport dates back to the 15th century, it was believed to have been developed by the Malacca Sultanate. The governing body for sepak takraw is the International Sepak Takraw Federation. 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.
Sepak takraw maybe played indoors or outdoors like at the beach. The tekong serves the ball. Once the ball is served; the players are allowed to move freely. 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 tekraw usually consists of three sets, 21 points per set; the team who wins two sets wins the game.
sepak takraw playersNot 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 which resembles a mix of football and volleyball.
- Footbag Net — players have to kick a footbag over a 5ft high net
- Football Tennis — tennis played with the feet
- Chinlone — the traditional sport of Burma or Myanmar, a team sport combined with dance (also known as Caneball).