Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw Basic Rules

• The game starts with a serve. The team that has to serve first is decided by tossing a coin.  The team that has won the toss can either choose to serve or to defend.
• During the serve, the player must have one of the legs inside the service circle, whereas the other players must stay in their respective quarter circles.
• Either the feeder or the striker first tosses the ball to the server who then kicks the ball across the net to the opponent side in their respective quarter circles.
• Tossing the ball to the server must be done only after the referee announces the score. If the throw takes place before the score call, then the ball is thrown again and a warning is given to the team.
• A serve is called valid only if it passes through the net to the opponent side within the boundary.
• In order to respond to the serve, the defending team tries again to pass the ball and only three touches are allowed to pass through the net.
• Commonly the feeder and the server move around the court to defend the serve of the opposition and set the ball for the striker in two touches.
• The game continues till one of the team makes a fault. Once a fault is made by a team, the opponent team gets a point.
• In case a player gets injured and needs immediate treatment, the referee can suspend the game temporarily for five minutes.

Faults

• If a player fails to pass the ball to the opponent team within three touches.
• The ball hits the ground before it is kicked off to the other side.
• If the ball lands out of the boundaries.
• The inside players lift their foot, cross the quarter circle, or touch the net during tossing the ball before the serve.
• If the server jumps of the ground during a serve.
• If the server fails to kick the ball once it is tossed by the inside players.
• If the ball does not go to the opponent’s side after serving.
• If the players use any other part of the body except the feet, knee, chest and head.
• If any body part of the player crosses the net or is over the net.

Penalties

In some cases the player is given a caution and is shown the yellow card:

• If the player is playing by unfair means.
• If the player is delaying the re-start of the game.
• If the player enters and exits frequently without referee’s permission.

In some cases the player is sent off and is shown red card:

• If the player is guilty of serious foul play.
• If the player is guilty of conducting violence by causing injury to the opponent players.
• If the player either spits or uses any offensive languages against any opponent players.
• If the player gets two yellow cards in the same game.

Note: If the player gets the first yellow card, normal caution is given but if the player gets second yellow card in the same match then the player is suspended from the next match.