"Sepak" means to smash or kick in the Malay language, while "Takraw" originates

from the Thai language, meaning rattan ball. The objective of this game is to hit
the ball over the net and onto the floor in the opponent's court to score a point.
Players are allowed to use their legs, head and torso to contact the ball, but any
contact with their arms or hands is an infringement of the rules.
Competitions and tournaments are run in accordance to rules and regulations set by
the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF). All equipment and attire must
adhere to specifications set by ISTAF.
A game of Sepak Takraw is played between two teams (known as Regu). Each Regu
has three players on court and two substitutes. The players on court are the striker,
server and feeder. Game play is very similar to the sport of Volleyball. In Sepak
Takraw, players are allowed a maximum of three contacts with the ball to get it over
the net.
A coin toss will decide which Regu will start service, while the other Regu can pick
the side of court they wish to start on. The feeder will start the game by tossing the
ball to the server. The server will keep one foot within the 'serving circle' and use his
other foot to kick the ball past the net. On the defensive Regu, the server and
feeder becomes the setters to pass the ball to the striker within three contacts. The
striker then hits or smashes the ball over the net. During game play, the Regu who
commits a fault will lose service and a point is awarded to the opposing team.
Service will change over after three consecutive points scored by the serving Regu.
Depending on the level of competition and rules set by the organising committee,
the first Regu that scores 21 points wins the set. The set can only be won by the
Regu with a two point lead, and the maximum points a set typically reaches is 25
points. The umpire will announce for the set to extend to 25 points when there is a
tie at 20 - 20. The game is played in two sets with a two minute break in between.
The Regu that wins two sets wins the match.
In the event that both Regus win a set each, the match is extended to a tie-break
set. This third set is played to 15 points, and will be extended to 17 points if there is
another tie at 14 - 14. Before the tie-break set, the Regus will toss a coin to decide
who starts the service. Service will change over when one Regu scores eight points.
Rules and Regulations
Measurements of court and equipment often vary among tournaments and
organisations that operate from a recreational to a competitive level; international
competitive rules and regulation are used in this section.
Court

Sepak Takraw court diagram

The sepak takraw sport is played on a similar to badminton double sized court.
Area of 13.4 m x 6.1 m free from all obstacles up to the height of 8 m measured
from the floor surface (sand and grass court not advisable). The width of the lines
bounding the court should not be more than 0.04 m measured and drawn inwards
from the edge of the court measurements. All the boundary lines should be drawn
at least 3.0 m away from all obstacles. The centre line of 0.02 m should be drawn
equally dividing the right and left court.
At the corner of each at the centre line, the quarter circle shall be drawn from the
sideline to the centre line with a radius of 0.9 m 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 centre 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 mm to 8 mm 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 centre and 1.55 m (1.45 m for women's) at
the posts.
Ball
A sepak takraw ball made out of rattan.
The sepak takraw ball shall be spherical in shape, made of synthetic fiber or one
woven layer.
Sepak takraw balls without synthetic rubber covering must consist of the following
characteristics; Have 12 holes. Have 20 intersections. Have a circumference
measuring not less from 0.42 m to 0.44 m for men and from 0.43 m to 0.45 m for
women. Have a weight that range from 170 grams to 180 grams for men and from
150 grams (5.3 oz) to 160 grams for women.

Players
The Tekong performing the service during a match in Strasbourg
A match is played by two regus (teams), each consisting of three players.
One of the three players shall be at the back; he is called a Tekong. The other two
players shall be in front, one on the left and the other on the right. The player on
the left is called a Left Inside and the player on the right is called a Right Inside.
Start of play and service
The side that must serve first shall start the first set. The side that wins the first set
shall have the options of Choosing Service.
The throw must be executed as soon as the referee calls the score. If either of the
"Inside" players throws the ball before the referee calls the score, it must be rethrown and a warning will be given to the thrower.
During the service, as soon as the Tekong kicks the ball, all the players are allowed
to move about freely in their respective courts.
The service is valid if the ball passes over the net, whether it touches the net or not,
and inside the boundary of the two net tapes and boundary lines of the opponents
court