Glossary of Terminology
ASTAF The acronym for the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation
Block Blocking is a defensive skill used to counter a spike coming from
close to the net. A block is usually made by jumping in the air and
raising a leg and/orback to divert the ball back into the opponent's
court. A block counts as one contact.
Centre Line Divides the length of the playing court into two equal halves.
Dig The act of fielding hard-hit ball successfully, usually a spike or block,
to regain control. Eg. The dig by Thailand came at a crucial point in
the game.
Dink A soft hit ball, usually either a "dink serve" or a "dink spike".
Fault A violation of one of the rules of the game.
Feeder Person who "sets" the ball to the "spiker".
First Ball Term used to describe receiving the service by the opposing team.
Formations Order of play is decided by the toss of a coin. The ceremony involves
thereferee and the two team captains. The winning captain chooses
either the right to serve first, or the choice of court ("Serve or Side")
ISTAF The acronym for the International Sepaktakraw Federation
Killer A common usage to describe the Spiker or a successful spike ball.
Quarter Circle Place on court where the serving team's forwards (left and right inside
players) must remain during the service until the ball has been kicked by the Server.
Regu A Malaysian word for team. A team comprises four players (three
starters and one reserve) is known as a Regu, and a squad of three
Regus is known as a Team.
Roll Spike A spike in which the player jumps with his back to the net, rotates in the air and kicks the ball over the opposite shoulder from the kicking
foot with a flip like motion. The most dramatic and popular move in
the game.
Sepaktakraw The name of the game from the words Sepak, a term used in
Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia which translates into "kick", and Takraw, a term used in Thailand which means "woven ball".
Service Over When the serving team fails to return the ball over the net or commits
a fault. The opposing team becomes the serving team but a point is
not awarded.
Serving Circle A circle located in both halves of the court where the Server is
required to be positioned during the service.
Set (1) A period of play which is concluded when one team reaches 15
points. A match consists of the best of three sets. The third set is
played in a six-point tiebreak.
Set or Setting A high pass by one player to a teammate or to self to enable a spike
on the next move.
Service The act of putting the ball into play by the Server.
Service Toss A hand throw of the ball by one of the forwards to the Server.
Spike A powerfully hit shot directed into the opponent's court using either
the foot or head.
Sunback Spike A spike in which the player jumps with his back to the net and kicks
the ball over the same shoulder as the kicking foot. In soccer this is
known as a "bicycle kick".
Takraw Ball Traditionally, the ball is made by weaving bamboo or rattan into a
spherical shape. In 1982, Marathon Intertrade Co., Ltd.
revolutionisedthe sport by introducing woven synthetic (plastic) balls.
Today, almost all players around the world are using synthetic
takraw balls.
To Begin Play The game is initiated when one of the forwards tosses the ball to the
back player - the "Server" who must keep one foot inside the the
serving circle and the other foot outside. The ball must be kicked with the foot outside the circle in one attempt over the net. (Note: A ball
hitting the net on the serve is "good")
