Sepak takraw is more than just a sport; it is a traditional game with a recorded history dating back 1,500 years. This is evident in the term "sepak," which comes from the Malay word for "kick," and "takraw," which comes from the Thai word for "woven ball." So, Sepak Takraw literally means "kicking a woven ball."
The game first arrived in Southeast Asia, likely introduced by the Chinese, inspired by their traditional game, Cuju. It quickly became a regional favorite, known by different names, such as Chinlone in Myanmar, Sipa in the Philippines, and Maradong in Laos.
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Initially, this was a simple circle game played without a net. The goal was to keep the ball in the air as long as possible by passing it between players in a circle.The original format was a test of pure dexterity and coordination, often resembling a graceful martial art more than a conventional team sport.
However, in the 19th century, sepak takraw began to gain popularity among Malay and Thai communities. Then, in the early 20th century, formal rules were introduced, transforming the game into the competitive form we know today.
Modern Sepak Takraw is best described as a high-octane mashup of soccer and volleyball. The key distinctions are the smaller ball, and the players must use only their feet, head, chest, and shoulders. The sport demands intense agility and gravity-defying acrobatic spikes.
Kick and Spike Game Rules
The game is played between two three-person teams. Each team consists of three players; the tekong (the server), the feeder (who sets up the ball), and the striker (the attacker). Teams must return the ball to their opponents with a maximum of three touches, and hands are strictly off-limits.
The action starts with the serve. When serving, the ball must be struck with the foot or head, and the ball must pass over the net without touching the bottom. If the ball lands in the opponent's court and they can't return it, the serving team scores a point.
Each set lasts up to 21 points. However, in the event of a tie, the game continues until there is a two-point lead between the two teams, with a final limit of 25 points. Matches are usually played over two or three sets.
Points are awarded to the opposition if a team makes an error. Common mistakes include letting the ball hit the ground, touching the net, or taking more than three touches. Because of these strict rules, players need incredible concentration and coordination to catch the point.
From Traditional to Global
Even though Sepak Takraw got its start in Southeast Asia, it's definitely spreading around the world. Countries like Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Canada are now building their own national teams.In Europe, the sport has even popped up as a regular activity at several universities.
In recent decades, sepak takraw has grown into a global sport with world-class tournaments and international championships. Organizations such as the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) actively organize tournaments and promote the sport worldwide.
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Tournaments like the ISTAF World Cup and ISTAF SuperSeries are huge deals where teams from all over compete for the world title.
Unsurprisingly, countries with a long history in the sport, like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, often dominate these events due to their athletes exceptional skill.
Sepak Takraw was also included in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) since way back in 1965.
References:
- RRI. (2024). Sejarah dan Perkembangan Sepak Takraw: Olahraga Tradisional Asia yang Mendunia. https://rri.co.id/index.php/features/955342/sejarah-dan-perkembangan-sepak-takraw-olahraga-tradisional-asia-yang-mendunia
- Kumparan. (2025). Sepak Takraw Olahraga Tradional yang Mendunia. https://kumparan.com/berita-update/sepak-takraw-olahraga-tradisional-yang-mendunia-25i8XWeam2c/full
