Sepak takraw is a sport that combines elements of volleyball and soccer. It originated in Southeast Asia in the 15th century and was formalized in the 1940s. The objective is to hit a ball over the net and onto the opposing team's side of the court using any body part except the hands and arms. Teams consist of three players and games are best-of-three sets up to 21 points. Thailand has dominated the sport internationally with skilled players known for complex techniques.

1. Sepak
Takraw

2. What is this sport?
• Sepak takraw takes the hard parts of volleyball (the high net, small
court and the rule that the ball must remain in the air) and the hard
part of soccer (precise ball control without your hands) and
combines them into a sport that looks far too difficult to be possible.
• Played across Southeast Asia, it is particularly popular in Malaysia
where it is locally known as 'Sepak Raga' and Thailand where it is
called 'Takraw'.

3. What is this
sport?
• With a literal translation of ‘Kick Ball’, 3 players compete
against their opposition on a volleyball style court with a
net across the middle.
• Unlike volleyball, in Sepak Takraw, players are not allowed
to use their hands to hit the ball and are required to use
their feet, head, knees and chest instead.

4. History of the Sport: How did it start?
• The game’s history stretches back to the 15th century with slightly differing
versions of the game being played in different parts of Southeast Asia.

5. History of the Sport: How did it start?
• It was in the 1940s that the first set of official rules were introduced and the
game took the formal name of Sepak Takraw.
• Outside of Southeast Asia, the game is practiced in the USA and Canada and
other western countries where there are big southeast Asian communities.

6. Object of the Game
• Similar to volleyball, the
object of the game is to hit
the ball onto the other
side of the court so that it
can’t be returned by your
opponent and hits the
floor; doing so earns you a
point.

7. What are the rules?
• It is typically played on a court with two three-
player teams on each side
• Hit the ball onto the other side of the court so
that it can’t be returned by the opponent and
hits the floor to score a point
• A game is usually a best-of-three sets, with a set
being won by a score of 21 points

8. What are the rules?
• Any part of the body can be used to hit the ball except for the hands or arms
• The ball cannot hit the floor and each team has three hits to try and get the ball
back over the net
• The ball must be served over the net at the beginning of each point-attempt

9. Players and Equipment
• Each of the two teams consists of three players, each playing a specific position. These are the
‘Teukgong’ which is the player who stands furthest back on the court and a Left Inside and a Right
Inside who play closer to the net on each side of the court.
• Games are to be played on a court that is similar to a double sized badminton court with dimensions
of 13.4 x 6.1 meters with a net stretched across the center at a height of 1.5m for men and 1.42m for
women.

10. Players and Equipment
• The ball used in games are made of a number of
synthetic materials. Balls are woven and must consist of
12 holes and 20 intersections

11. Techniques
• Horse Kick: A high kick
• Sunback Spike: Performing the horse kick
while jumping
• Roll Spike: A sunback spike performed with
a flip
• Inside Kick: Hitting the ball with the inside
of your foot
• Knee Kick: Hitting the ball with your thigh
• Header: Hitting the ball with your forehead

12. Champion Players and Teams
• Team Thailand is ranked number 1 in both men’s and women’s sepak takraw
for the ISTAF World Cup. Thai players are also known for perfecting some of
the most challenging moves in the game.

13. Champion Players and Teams
• With multiple gold medals, Anuwat Chaichana’s accolades
speak to why he is famous. He is a staple on Thailand's
team. Many consider him to be one of the best sepak
takraw players ever.

14. Let’s Watch!