Sepak Takraw (ISTAF) — Official Rules

Sepaktakraw is a net sport in which two teams - each called a Regu - use the feet, knees, chest and head (but never the hands or arms) to send a woven ball over a central net into the opponent's court, in a manner reminiscent of volleyball played with the feet. Each Regu is three players: the Tekong (server) at the back, and two Inside players in front (Left Inside and Right Inside). A side may contact the ball up to three (3) times before it must cross the net. A point is scored on every rally (rally-point scoring): when the serving or receiving Regu commits a fault, a point is awarded to the opponent. The Regu that wins two sets first wins the match.

The world governing body of sepaktakraw is the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), founded in 1988 and headquartered in Singapore. This rulebook reflects the ISTAF Law of the Game 2024 (Regu), dated 1 January 2024, whose amendments were approved at the ISTAF Congress on 15 July 2023 in Korat, Thailand, and the ISTAF Executive meeting on 8 December 2023. It is the edition in force through 2026 and applies to all ISTAF-sanctioned events including the Olympic Games, World Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, SEA Games and the ISTAF World Cup. Separate ISTAF Laws of the Game exist for the Double and Quad formats; this rulebook covers the standard Regu (3-a-side) event.

From 1 February 2024 ISTAF made the following changes mandatory for all domestic and international competitions, replacing the older 21-point format: (a) each set is now won at 15 points instead of 21, with a ceiling of 17 points if the score reaches 14-14; (b) each side has only one (1) service, and service alternates every single point regardless of which side wins the rally (previously three serves per server before the change of service); (c) in the deciding third set, ends are changed when one Regu reaches 8 points. These changes are designed to shorten and standardise matches while keeping the rally-point principle.

The court measures 13.4 m in length and 6.1 m in width, free from all obstacles up to a height of 8 m measured from the floor. The court is divided by the net into two equal halves. The width of the boundary lines must not exceed 0.04 m, measured and drawn inwards from the edge of the court measurements. A Free Zone clear of any obstruction shall extend at least 3.0 m away from the sidelines and the baselines.

The Centre Line, 0.02 m wide, runs beneath the net and divides the court equally into a right side and a left side. At both ends of the Centre Line, where it meets the sidelines, a Quarter Circle is drawn with a radius of 0.9 m. During service, the two Inside players of the serving Regu must each be positioned inside their respective Quarter Circles.

A Service Circle of 0.3 m radius (line width 0.04 m) is drawn on the left and right sides of each court half. The centre of each Service Circle is 2.45 m from the back line and 3.05 m from the sidelines. The Tekong must keep his non-kicking foot inside the Service Circle in the ready position before the Referee calls the score; his kicking foot may be placed freely anywhere during the service.

The posts must stand firmly to maintain high net tension and be made of very strong material, with a radius not exceeding 0.04 m. Post height is 1.55 m for men and 1.45 m for women measured from the floor. The posts are erected 0.3 m away from the sidelines and in line with the Centre Line.

The net is made of fine nylon cord with a mesh of 0.06 m to 0.08 m. It is 0.7 m wide and not shorter than 6.1 m long, placed vertically over the axis of the Centre Line. Two side bands 0.05 m wide are fastened vertically above each sideline and are part of the net. The top and bottom are edged with 0.05 m tape. The net height at the centre of the court is 1.52 m for men and 1.42 m for women, while the height at the posts is 1.55 m for men and 1.45 m for women.

The Sepaktakraw ball is spherical, made of synthetic fibre in one woven layer. A ball without synthetic-rubber covering shall have 12 holes and 20 intersections. The ball may be single-coloured, multi-coloured or luminous, provided the colour does not inhibit player performance. A covering of synthetic rubber or soft durable material may be used to soften the impact on the body; the material and method of manufacture must be ISTAF-approved. All ISTAF-sanctioned competitions must use ISTAF-approved balls.

The ball circumference measures 0.41 m to 0.43 m for men and 0.42 m to 0.44 m for women. The weight ranges from 170 g to 180 g for men and from 150 g to 160 g for women.

A match is played by two Regus, each consisting of three players. One player is positioned at the back as the Tekong (the Server). The other two play in front: the one on the left is the Left Inside and the one on the right is the Right Inside; together they are the Inside players. Each Regu has a Captain who wears an armband on the left upper arm. Jersey numbers run from 1 to 36, with one number assigned per player throughout a tournament.

In a Regu event, each Regu consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of five registered players (one Regu of three players plus up to two reserves). At least three players must be present on court before the game starts; any Regu with fewer than three players is not permitted to play and is disqualified. All players must be registered to participate.

A Team comprises three Regus and consists of a minimum of nine and a maximum of twelve players, with up to three players in a reserve pool who may be fielded only as substitutes. A player may play for only one Regu in any Team Match. At least nine registered players must be present on court before the game; a team with fewer than nine players is disqualified. In a knockout system the third Regu need not play once a winner is decided, but in a league system playing the third Regu is mandatory.

Just before the match the Court Referee tosses a coin or disc in the presence of the opposing captains. The captain who calls correctly may elect either to serve first or to choose the side of the court to start from; the loser takes the remaining choice. The Regu that received the first service in the previous set serves first in the subsequent set, and players change sides before the start of each set.

At the start of play both Regus must be in their own courts in a ready position. The Tekong keeps his non-kicking foot inside the Service Circle in the ready position before the Referee calls the score; the kicking foot may move freely. Both Inside players of the serving side must be inside their respective Quarter Circles. The receiving Regu is free to stand anywhere within its own court. Once the Tekong kicks the ball, all players may move freely within their own courts.

One Inside player tosses the ball to the Tekong, who kicks it over the net to start the rally. The Regu decided by the toss serves first; service then alternates after every one (1) point, regardless of which side wins the point (single-service rule). At deuce (14-14) service still alternates every point. A service is valid if the ball passes over the net - whether or not it touches the net - landing inside the two net tapes and the opponent's boundary lines. After the Referee calls "POINT, (team)", the Tekong has 15 seconds to be ready for the next service; a first delay draws a warning and a repetition is a fault. If the throw is executed before the score is called, it is re-thrown with a warning; repetition is a fault.

When either the serving or the receiving Regu commits a fault, a point is awarded to the opponent (rally-point scoring - every rally produces a point). Each set is won by the Regu that first scores fifteen (15) points. If the score reaches 14-14, the set is won by the side that first reaches seventeen (17) points, and the Referee announces "Setting up to seventeen (17) points". There is therefore a hard ceiling of 17 - no unlimited two-point margin.

A match is decided on a best-of-three sets basis, with two-minute breaks between sets; the sets are the first, second and third. The Regu that wins two sets first is the winner. If each Regu wins one set, the deciding third set is played; in the third set the teams change ends when one Regu reaches eight (8) points. The third set is also played to 15 points (17 at 14-14) like the others.

A fault by the serving side occurs if: the Inside player making the toss plays about with the ball after the score is called; any Inside player lifts his foot, steps on the Quarter Circle or Centre Line, or crosses/touches the net while the ball is being thrown; the Tekong's non-kicking foot lifts off the floor before the kicking foot contacts the ball, or steps completely out of the Service Circle; the Tekong does not kick the ball on the throw; the ball touches his own player before crossing the net; the ball goes over the net but lands outside the court; the ball fails to cross the net; or a player uses a hand/arm to support the kick. Each such fault gives a point to the receiving Regu.

For both sides during play, a fault occurs when: touching the ball on the opponent's side; any part of the body crossing into the opponent's court above or under the net (except a legal follow-through); playing the ball more than three (3) times in succession; the ball touching the player's arm; stopping or holding the ball under the arm, between the legs or against the body; any part of the body or outfit (shoes, jersey, headband, etc.) touching the net, post or referee's chair, or falling into the opponent's side; the ball touching the roof, wall or any object other than the net; or using any external object as support to facilitate a kick. Deliberately distracting the opponent (shouting, gestures) after the score is called is also a fault. Each fault awards a point to the opponent.

A Let is a call requiring the point or service to be replayed. It occurs when the Referee is unable to decide which side should be awarded the point and declares a "REPLAY", or when the Referee must temporarily stop play because of an interference during the rally. A let does not award a point; the rally is simply replayed.

Each Regu is entitled to one time-out of not more than one (1) minute in each set. Only the Team Manager or the Coach may call the time-out, and only when the ball is not in play. During the time-out and the between-set break, only two persons (in outfits different from the playing Regu) are allowed at the baseline.

The Referee may suspend play temporarily for not more than five (5) minutes when a player is injured and needs immediate medical attention; total injury time must not exceed 5 minutes per Regu. If after five minutes the injured player cannot continue, a substitution is made; but if both substitutions have already been used, the set is awarded to the opponent. For obstructions or disruptions, only the Official Referee may suspend the match after consulting the Tournament Committee, and players may not leave the court without his express permission.

Substitution is permitted at any time when the ball is not in play by showing the Substitution Card (with the outgoing player's number) to the Referee. Each Regu may make two (2) substitutions in each set, and a previously substituted player may re-enter in the same set; one or two players may be exchanged at once. A Regu may nominate up to two reserves per match. If a Regu has fewer than three players (including through a red card after both substitutions are used), it is considered to have lost that set. Starting a new set with different players counts as a substitution.

Each match is officiated by a Referee (at one end of the net), an Assistant Referee (opposite), a Court Referee (behind the Referee), and two Line Referees (along the sidelines), supported off court by an Official Referee. All players and team officials must abide by the Law of the Game. Only the Regu Captain may approach the Referee during the game to request an explanation of a decision. Disputing the Referee's decision or jeopardising the smooth running of the match is a serious breach of discipline subject to sanction.

A player is shown the Yellow Card for cautionable offences such as ungentlemanly conduct detrimental to the game, dissent towards Match Officials by word or action, repeated infringement, delaying the start of play, or entering/leaving the court without the Referee's permission. Tournament-level consequences escalate: a first yellow is a normal caution; a second yellow (to the same player in different matches of the same tournament) brings a one-match suspension; a third yellow brings a two-match suspension plus a USD 100 fine; a fourth yellow brings immediate suspension pending the Disciplinary Committee. Two yellow cards in the same match bring a two-match suspension and a USD 100 fine.

A player is shown the Red Card and sent off for dangerous play; violent conduct or any act intended to injure an opponent or other person; spitting at any person; use of abusive language or gestures; or receiving a second yellow card in the same match. The penalty for a red card is being sent off from the game and immediate suspension from any tournament sanctioned by the relevant sepaktakraw authority until the Disciplinary Committee decides. If the sent-off player's Regu has not used both of its substitutions in that set it may substitute; if it has, the game ends and that Regu is considered to have lost.