Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw is a sport that’ll leave you feeling sore for days, while also leaving you in great shape. It’s a combination of soccer, volleyball, Kung Fu and gymnastics that’s gaining in popularity across the world. It started in Thailand, and that’s where you should head for the best training.

The sport is actually a mishmash of Thai and Malay principles that utilizes the athleticism of gymnastics and the focus of Kung Fu to create a fun, competitive game. Sepak is the Malay word meaning “kick” and takraw is the Thai word for the woven, rattan ball used in the game.

Sepak Takraw match in Chonburi, Thailand © Sippakorn Yamkasikorn | Dreamstime

Competitors take position on a court resembling that of badminton with three players on each team. They use a variety of kicks, including flying bicycle kicks over their heads and roundhouse kicks, along with their heads to knock the ball back and forth. Sometimes it’s played with a net and sometimes it’s not.

Players can use any part of the body except the hands and arms to try and hit the ball back over the net. Each team only gets three touches of the ball before it has to go back over. It’s similar to volleyball. The winning team is the one that wins the best out of five sets.

Join Istaf Super Series at Fashion Island Indoor Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand © Manit Larpluechai | Dreamstime

Sepak Takraw has been played in Thailand and around Asia since the 16^th century and has just recently starting making waves in the United States. It’s a super competitive sport not for the faint of heart, but it sure does make for some great exercise!