Editing Sepak takraw (section)

==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".<ref>Talking Takraw[Electronic Version]. ''Journal of Men's Fitness'', Vol. 20, Issue 10.</ref> The concept of Footvolley originates from Thai Takraw pronounced (Tha-Graw). It is also sometimes incorrectly referred to by foreigners as "Shaolin Soccer"; however, it is an ancient game mainly enjoyed between Thailand and Laos.

===Court===
[[File:Sepak Takraw court diagram.svg|thumb|250px|Sepak takraw court diagram]]
Sepak Takraw is played on court a similar to [[badminton]]'s double sized court.<ref name="sportsmatchmaker.com">Sportsmatchmaker. (2005). ''Sepak Takraw''.Retrieved 23 March 2009, from the sportsmatchmaker website: http://www.sportsmatchmaker.com/rules/s-sports/sepak_takraw.cfm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319002638/http://www.sportsmatchmaker.com/rules/s-sports/sepak_takraw.cfm |date=19 March 2012 }}</ref>

The court has an area of {{convert|13.4|x|6.1|m}} free from all obstacles up to the height of {{convert|8|m}} measured from the floor surface (sand and grass court not advisable). The width of the lines bounding the court should not be more than {{convert|4|cm}} measured and drawn inwards from the edge of the court measurements. All the boundary lines should be drawn at least {{convert|3.0|m}} away from all obstacles. The center line of {{convert|2|cm|abbr=on}} should be drawn equally dividing the right and left court.

Where the center line meets the sidelines, quarter circles shall be drawn, on either side, from the sideline to the center line with a radius of {{convert|0.9|m}} 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.<ref name=istaf>{{cite web | author=International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) | year=2004 | url=http://www.sepaktakraw.org/pdf/lawofthegame.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325150529/http://www.sepaktakraw.org/pdf/lawofthegame.pdf | archive-date=25 March 2009 | title=Sepaktakraw: Laws of the Game | access-date=29 July 2007}}</ref>

===Net===
The net should be made of fine ordinary cord or nylon with 6&nbsp;cm to 8&nbsp;cm mesh, similar to a volleyball net.<ref name="sportsmatchmaker.com"/>

The net should be 0.7 m in width and not shorter than 6.10 m in length, taped at 0.05 m from tape double at the top and sideline, called boundary tape.

The net should 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) at the posts. In Myanmar they now used at least 1.82m or 2.43m depend on the situation as the standard height is too short and can kick in easily.<ref name=istaf/>

===Ball===
[[File:Rattan sepak tawraw ball.png|thumb|A sepak takraw ball made out of [[rattan]]]]
The Sepak Takraw ball should 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 from {{convert|42|to(-)|44|cm|abbr=on|1}} for men or from {{convert|43|to(-)|45|cm|abbr=on|1}} for women, with a weight that ranges from {{convert|170|to(-)|180|g|abbr=on}} for men or from {{convert|150|to(-)|160|g|abbr=on}} for women.

The ball can be any single or multi-color, but must not be in any color that would 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 player's 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 Sepaktakraw 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.<ref name="istaf" />

===Players===
A match is played by two teams called 'regu', each consisting of three players. On some occasions, it can be played by only two players (doubles) or four players (quadrant) per team.

One of the players, standing at the back, is called a "Tekong", also known as the "Server". The other two players stand close to the net, one on the left and the other on the right. The player on the left is called a "feeder/setter/tosser" and the player on the right is called a "attacker/striker/killer".<ref name="istaf" />

===Start of play and service===
The side that must serve first should start the first set. The side that wins the first set should have the option 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 opponent's court.<ref name="istaf" />

===Faults in the game===

====Serving side during service====
* The "Inside" player who is throwing to the server plays with the ball (throwing up the ball, bumping, passing to another "Inside" player etc.) after the call of score by the referee.
* The "Inside" player lifts their 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 a serving side player before crossing over to the opponents' court.
* The ball goes over the net but falls outside the court.
* The ball does not cross to the opponent side.
* A player uses their 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.<ref name="istaf" />

====Serving and receiving side during service====
* Creating distractions or noise or shouting at an 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 touching 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).<ref name="istaf" />

===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 a winner of each individual regu is determined by best of 3 sets, played up to 21 points per set.

In the last or third set a change of sides takes place when one team reaches 11 points.

When either serving or receiving side commits a fault, a point is awarded to the opponent side.<ref name="istaf" />

Serving: Teams alternate serving every three points, regardless of who wins the points. 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 21 points with a minimum lead of two 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 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 tournament|round robin]]) the ranking in a group is determined by:
1. Sum of match wins; a match win gives 1 point
2. Sum of set points
3. Points difference +/-