Rules and regulations

Measurements of courts and equipment often vary among tournaments and

organisations that operate from a recreational to a competitive level; international
competitive rules and regulations are used in this section. There are two types of
event categories: the regu and the doubles regu. The regu category is played by
three players on each team while the doubles regu is played by two players on each
team.
Expressions
Takraw is the Thai word for the hand-woven rattan ball originally used in the game.
Therefore the game is essentially "kick ball".[13] The concept of Footvolley
originates from Thai Takraw pronounced (Tha-Graw) Also, sometimes misnamed by
foreigners as "Shaolin Soccer" however it is an ancient game mainly enjoyed
between Thai and Laos.
Court
The sepak takraw sport is played on a similar to badminton double sized court.[14] .
Area of 13.4 by 6.1 metres (44 ft 20 ft) free from all obstacles up to the height of
8 metres (26 ft) measured from the floor surface (sand and grass court not
advisable). The width of the lines bounding the court should not be more than 4
centimetres (1.6 in) measured and drawn inwards from the edge of the court
measurements. All the boundary lines should be drawn at least 3.0 metres (9.8 ft)
away from all obstacles. The centre line of 2 cm (0.79 in) should be drawn equally
dividing the right and left court.At the corner of each at the center line, the quarter
circle shall be drawn from the sideline to the center line with a radius of 0.9 metres
(2 ft 11 in) 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
center 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.[15]
Net
The net shall be made of fine ordinary cord or nylon with 6 cm to 8 cm 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 center and 1.55 m (1.45 m for
women's) at the posts.[15]
Ball
A sepak takraw ball made out of rattan. The sepak takraw ball shall be spherical,
made of synthetic fibre or one woven layer. Sepak takraw balls without synthetic
rubber covering must have 12 holes and 20 intersections, must have a

circumference measuring not less from 42 to 44 cm (1717 in) for men and from 43
to 45 cm (1718 in) for women, and must have a weight that ranges from 170 to
180 g (6.06.3 oz) for men and from 150 to 160 g (5.35.6 oz) for women. The ball
can be in plain single colour, multi-colour, and luminous colours, but not in any
colour that will impair the performance of the players. The sepak takraw ball can
also be constructed of synthetic rubber or soft durable material for covering the
ball, for the purpose of softening the impact of the ball on the players body. The
type of material and method used for constructing the ball or for covering the ball
with rubber or soft durable covering must be approved by ISTAF before it can be
used for any competition. All world, international, and regional competitions
sanctioned by International Sepak Takraw Federation, including but not limited to,
the Olympic Games, World Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and SEA
Games, must be played with ISTAF approved sepak takraw balls.[15]
Players
A match is played by two teams, also known as 'regus', 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.[15]
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 re-thrown 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.[15]
Faults in the game
Serving side during service
The "Inside" player who is making service throws, plays with the(throwing up the
ball, bumping, giving to other "Inside" player etc.) after the call of score has been
made by the referee.
The "Inside" player lifts his feet or steps on the line or crosses over or touches the
net while throwing the ball.
The Tekong jumps off the ground to execute the service.
The Tekong does not kick the ball on the service throw.
The ball touches his own player before crossing over the opponent court.
The ball goes over the net but falls outside the court.

The ball does not cross to the opponent side.

A player uses his hand or hands, or any other part of his arms to facilitate the
execution of a kick even if the hand or arm does not directly touch the ball, but it
touches other objects or surfaces instead when doing so.
Serving and receiving side during service
Creating distracting manner or noise or shouting at his opponent.

For both sides during the game

Any player who touches the ball on the opponent side.
Any part of player's body crosses over into opponent's court whether above or
under the net except during the follow-through of the ball.
Playing the ball more than 3 times in succession.
The ball touches the arm
Stopping or holding the ball under the arm, between the legs or body.
Any part of the body or player's outfits e.g. shoes, jersey, head band etc., touches
the net or the post or the referee's chairs or falls into the opponent's side.
The ball touches the ceiling, roof or the wall (any objects).

Scoring system
An official doubles or regu match is won by best of three sets (win 2 out of 3 sets),
with each set being played up to 21 points. A team event or group match is
effectively three regu matches played back to back, using different players for each
regu. The winner is determined by best of three regus (win 2 out of 3 regus), where
the winner of each individual regu is determined by best of 3 sets, played up to 21
points per set. In the last 3rd set the change of sides takes place when one team
reaches 11 points.
Point: when either serving side or receiving side commits a fault, a point is
awarded to the opponent side.
Serving: Teams alternate serve every three points, regardless of who wins the
points. Ie. each team serves three times, then the other team serves three times,
and so on. If a tie takes place at 21-21, each team alternates one serve each until a
winner is determined.
Set: each set is won by the side which scores twenty one (21) points with a
minimum lead of two (2) points to a ceiling of 25 points. In the event of a 21-21 tie,
the set shall be won by the side which gets a lead of two (2) points, or when a side
reaches 25 points (whichever occurs first).

Match: a match is won by the team who has won two sets. A team event match is
won by the team that wins two regus.

Ranking: in group stages of tournaments or team events (round robin) the ranking
in a group is determined by: 1. Sum of match wins; a match win gives 1 point 2.
Sum set points 3. Point difference +/-