Sepak Takraw by Fred V. Perez and E. A, Scholer University of New Mexico

For excitement, skill, dexterity, and physical fitness take the best parts of badminton, volleyball and soccer and combine them into one activity and you have South East Asia's popular sport "Sepak Takraw." This fast moving sport re- quires the development of per- sonal skills in running, spiking, kicking and passing.

Intramural and Campus Recrea- tion professionals are constantly seeking new and exciting activities to include in programs to meet the needs of participants. Here is a sport that combines the teamwork of volleyball, the dexterity of soc- cer and the finesse of badminton.

Sepak Takraw has its origins in the countries of South East Asia. While its exact history is unclear, it is known to have been played in In- dia as early as the eleventh cen- tury during the days of Majapahit by the royalty. This, however, is argued by the Philippinos that the game called "Sepak" in that coun- try originated there. The Thais press the same claim that the game "Takraw," has its begin- nings in that country. It is safe to assume that this exciting sport pro- bably was played in all South East Asia Countries at about the same time.

Originally, Sepak Takraw was played by forming a circle to kick, shoulder or head the ball to the op- posing players much like current volleyball drills. Some time prior to

- 1 930 t hem"8Tm-i nt raefaCBddm@ - the game as it is played today came into being. Through the years the rules have been changed and modified; but in April 1960, representatives of various South

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East Asian countries met in Kuala Lumpur and established the stan- dard rules and regulations for the sport. In 1965, this sport was add- ed as one of the competitive ac- tivities in the South East Asian Peninsula Games, (SEAP), and continues to be one of the most popular of the sports included, partly because it is a game from the area.

As in the past, this exciting game is played among the villagers of the small communities. A visitor to the countries of South East Asia will see the game being played both as it was in the old days and under current rules. Many of the staff of guest lodges and hotels play whenever they have leisure time, much to the en- joyment of the guests at these places.

The Court The court size, as set down by

the Asian 'Sepak Takraw Federa- tion, is 20 by 44 feet. A center line divides the court into equal halves. There is a circle near the base line in each half of the court. In addi- tion, there is a semi-circle on both sides of the court at the dividing line (see court diagram). The game may be played indoors or out depending on weather.

Bal I The ball used in the game is call;

ed a Bola Takraw (rattan ball). It is --marw -u= -Bmw&pLm-pl mecl- --as -z-

single layer. Its circumference is not to be less than 15 inches nor more than 17 inches and the ball must weigh between lO3A ounces to 14 1/10 ounces.

The ball. Bola Takraw

Game The game is played by two op-

posing teams of three players each, separated by a 1.52m (5 feet 1 inch) high net stretched tightly between two poles like in badmin- ton. Each team, as in volleyball, is permitted to hit the ball three times before it must cross the net. The major difference is that it can be hit three times by the same player.

To start the game, the ball is thrown to the first player called the tekong (Malay word meaning back), who is positioned inside the circle, by the second or third player, who are positioned in the semi-circles. The tekong must get

- the- k l t a c m - the met Wh--one - - kick. Players on the other team can position themselves anywhere in their court. The point is lost or won when the ball drops dead in the court, goes out of the court or does

not cross the net after having been played three times by the team.

The object of the game is for the team to score 15 points. A deuce of 5 points is allowed if the score is 13-all and deuce 3 points if the score is 14-all. Scoring is like in badminton, that is, the team must serve before it can score. One game or 'regu' is completed when one team wins either two straight sets or two out of three sets. In a competition, each club or par- ticipating group has to enter three teams, each to play a regu. The club that wins two or all the three regus will be the winning group.

When playing, any part of the body other than the hands and forearms may be used to hit the ball. The most important skill is kicking. Bystanders watching the game may think it a very simple game, but great ball control, ac- curacy, in judgment and good team coordination is involved. It also helps to build alertness, quick anticipation and reaction, stamina as well as coordination of mind and body.

In South East Asia, there is a movement to return to the original circle style of play to allow more to participate as a recreation activity rather than a restrictive sport for only six participants. Sepak Takraw is a simple and inexpen- sive recreation activity that will provide intramural and campus recreation programs with an answer to an exciting team activity at minimal cost. Further, this ac- tivity allows for a skill game or sport that can provide fun, thrills and excitement to the students in their leisure, either as participants or as spectators.

A header over the net with attempted kick block

A kick over the net