Sepak Takraw

What is Sepak Takraw?

Sepak Takraw, or "Takraw" for short, is best described as "Kick Volleyball" or "No Hands Volleyball" and first came on the scene as a net game in the mid-1940's in Malaysia, eventually spreading world-wide from there. It is mainly a cross between soccer and volleyball, played on outer lines of a badminton court, as three players on each side of a 5-foot high net get three chances to kick, knee, shoulder or head a hand-woven ball back to the opposing team. Like in Volleyball there are passes, sets, spikes and blocks - but all without the use of hands or arms! Now Malaysia's national sport, Sepak Takraw was first introduced as a demonstration event in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

A variation of Takraw in the Philippines called "Sepa" is also the national sport of that country. Because of the precision, athleticism and high-fiying acrobatics that occur, Takraw has become an extremely exciting spectator sport that has been spreading around the world with over 30 countries already involved in 2003. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally viewed Takraw demonstrations with keen interest for potentialconsideration in future Olympic Games. Sepak Takraw incorporates skills and aspects from multiple other sports all wrapped into one new, fun and very unique game. Takraw, as it's often called for short, is a very dynamic sport that has a lot of benefits to offer anyone that got involved at any level.

The benefits of Takraw are that it: can be played as a solo activity, group activity, or team sport at beginner to advanced levels; is something new, unique and is a lot of fun; can be played indoors or outdoors; develops excellent eye-foot co-ordination, leg strength, and flexibility; enhances the skills required for playing soccer; and is very inexpensive to play as equipment is minim