"Regu" Sepak Takraw

I. OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL RULES FOR "REGU" SEPAK TAKRAW (Playing 3 on 3)

These current Rules* and applicable amendments have been approved during the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) Congress on 20 October 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.

*Re-written to be clearer, using consistent terminology and more grammatically correct than original version

1. THE COURT

1.1. The Court – The court is an area of 13.4 meters (m) X 6.1 m, or 44 feet (ft.) X 20 ft., free from all obstacles up to the height of 8 m, or 26.25 ft., measured from the floor surface, and free of all obstacles on the floor or ground up to a distance of at least 3.0 m, or about 10 ft., from edges of the court all the way around.

1.2. Sidelines & Baselines – The width of the sidelines (two sides) and baselines (two back ends) bounding the court should not be more than 0.04 m, or 1 ½ in., measured and drawn inward from the outer edge of the court measurements.

1.3. The Center Line – A Center Line of 0.02 m, or ¾ in., should be drawn across the center of the court, from side to side, to divide the court into two equal halves.

1.4. The Quarter Circle – At the front corners of each half of the court, at the center line, a Quarter Circle shall be drawn from the sideline to the center line with a radius of 0.9 m, or 3 ft., measured and drawn inward from the outer edge of the radius.

1.5. The Service Circle – A Service Circle of 0.3 m, or 1 ft., radius shall be drawn on each half of the court, the center of which is 2.45 m, or 8 ft., in from the baseline of the court and 3.05 m, or 10 ft., in from the sidelines. The 0.04 m, or 1 ½ in., line shall be measured and drawn inward from the outer edge of the radius.

2. THE POSTS

2.1. The posts shall be 1.55 m, or 5 ft. 1 in., in height from the floor for both men and women and shall be made of strong materials and of sufficient firmness to be able to maintain high net tension.

2.2. Position of Posts – The posts shall be erected or placed firmly 0.3 m, or 1 ft., outside the sideline boundary and directly in line with the center line.

3. THE NET

3.1. The net shall be made of fine ordinary cord or nylon with 0.06 m to 0.08 m, or 2 ½ to 3-inch, mesh.

3.2. The net shall be 0.7m, or 2 ft. 4 in., in height (top to bottom) and not shorter than 6.1 m, or 20 ft., in width (side to side).

3.3. The net shall be edged on both sides along the sideline edges from top to bottom with 0.05 m, or 2-inch, tape, and shall be called Boundary Tape.

3.4. The net shall also be edged with at least 0.05 m, or 2-inch, tape on both sides along the top and bottom, and shall be supported by a fine ordinary cord or nylon cord that runs through the tape and is tightened at the posts.

3.5. The top of the net shall be 1.52 m, or 5 ft., in height from the floor at center court for men and 1.42 m or 4.65 ft. for women, while the height at the posts shall be 1.55 m or 5 ft. 1 in. for men, and 1.45 m or 4.75 in. for women.

4. THE SEPAK TAKRAW BALL

4.1. The Sepak Takraw ball shall be spherical, made up of one woven layer of synthetic fiber, or any other ISTAF approved materials, having 12 holes and 20 intersections.

4.2. For men, the ball circumference shall not be less than 41 cm, or 16.14 in., and not more than 43 cm, or 16.93 in. For women, the ball circumference shall not be less than 42 cm, or 16.54 in., and not more than 44 cm, or 17.32 in.

4.3. For men, the weight of the ball before play shall not be less than 170 g, or 6 oz., and not more than 180 g, or 6.35 oz. For women, the ball weight before play shall not be less than 150 g, or 5.3 oz., and not more than 160 g, or 5.6 oz.

4.4. The ball can be a plain singular color, multi-colored, or made of luminous colors, but not of any color that will impair the performance of the players.

4.5. All world, international, or regional competitions sanctioned by ISTAF, including but not limited to, the Olympic Games, World Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games must be played with ISTAF approved balls – provided there was a fair, unbiased and transparent approval process in this matter.

5. THE PLAYERS

5.1. A match is played by two “Regus”, each “Regu” consisting of three players.

5.2. One of the three players shall be near the back of the court, and he/she is called a “Tekong” (Server).

5.3. The other two players shall be in front, closer to the net, one on the left side of the Tekong and the other on the right side. The player on the left is called a “Left Forward” and the player on the right is called a “Right Forward”.

5.4. Regu Event

5.4.1. Each “Regu” shall consist of a minimum of 3 players and a maximum of 5 players (which is one “Regu” of 3 players plus 2 “Reserve Players” that may be substituted in if necessary), all of whom must be registered prior to a Regu Event match/tournament.

5.4.2.Prior to the commencement of a Regu Event “Match”, each “Regu” must have a minimum of 3 registered players present on the playing court.

5.4.3.Any “Regu” having less than 3 players will not be allowed to play the “Match” and will be considered having lost the “Match” in three straight “Sets”, with each set’s score being 0-21.

5.5.Team Event

5.5.1. Each “Team” shall consist of a minimum of 9 players (3 Regus of 3 players per Regu) and a maximum of 12 players, which allows for 1 “Reserve Player” per Regu to be included. Though ALL players must be registered in order to participate in a Team Game, three (3) players of the 12 must be registered as substitutes.

5.5.2. Prior to the commencement of a Team Event Game, each “Team” must have a minimum of 9 registered players present on the playing court.

5.5.3. Any “Team” having less than 9 players will not be allowed to play the “Game” and will be considered as having lost in two (or three) straight matches, and each match being recorded as lost in TWO straight sets with each set’s score being recorded as 0-21.

6. PLAYER’S ATTIRE

6.1. All equipment used by players must be appropriate for Sepak Takraw. Safety and fairness are the priorities. Any equipment that increases or reduces the speed of the ball or increases the height of the player so as to give an unfair advantage and/or endanger the safety of himself/herself or other players shall not be allowed.

6.2. To avoid unnecessary conflicts or confusion, two opposing Regus or Teams must wear different color jerseys.

6.3. Regus/Teams must have a minimum of two sets of Jerseys/T-shirts, one light and the other dark in color. If both regus/teams arrive at a match/game dressed in jerseys of the same color, the home regu/team must change. On a neutral site, the regu/team listed first on the match/game program shall change.

4. A player’s attire shall consist of jerseys/T-shirts, shorts, socks and sports shoes with rubber souls without heels. The entire apparel of a player is regarded as part of his/her body, so to avoid “Net Faults”, if jerseys or T-shirts are baggy or loose, and not snug-fitting, it is RECOMMENDED that they be tucked into the shorts. In case of cold weather, players are permitted to wear tracksuits. Optional attire may also include a cloth head band or bandana and ankle, knee and/or wrist tensor supports.

6.5. All jerseys/T-shirts shall be numbered on both the front and back. A player must be assigned only one (1) permanent number, from 1 to 36 only, to be used throughout a tournament. The size of the numbers shall be not less than 19 cm, or 7 ½ inches, in height on the back, and not less than 10 cm, or 4 inches, in height on the front (top-center or sides chest area).

6.6. For International Competitions, players’ names or representing country must be placed on the back of the playing shirt above the number, and be of sufficient size to be visible on television. Playing shirts may also carry a sponsor logo on the front of the playing shirt, subject always to the applicable tournament regulations. No other commercial identification (other than a manufacturer logo) may appear on any player attire.

6.7. The Captain of each Regu shall wear an armband of a different color from the Jersey/T-shirt on the left arm.

6.8. Any other apparel not specifically mentioned in these rules must first receive approval of the ISTAF Technical Commission before use at ISTAF-sanctioned events.

7. SUBSTITUTION

7.1. Players are not allowed to play for more than ONE Regu in any “Team Event” competition.

7.2. Substitution of a player is allowed at any time on request made by the Team Manager or Coach showing a Substitution Card to the Court Referee when the ball is NOT in play. The substitution card shall indicate the jersey number of the outgoing player.

7.3. Each Regu is allowed up to TWO (2) SUBSTITUTIONS PER SET for both Regu and Team events. A player who had been substituted out earlier shall be allowed to re-enter the court in a second substitution in the same set.

7.4. For Regu events, each Regu may register up to TWO reserve players, in addition to the three starting players, and is also allowed to make its two substitutions at once at the same time.

7.5. For Team events, each Team (3 Regus) may register up to THREE reserve players overall (in addition to the 9 starting players) who may be substituted into a match.

7.5.1. Each Team may be permitted to substitute in a maximum of two of the three reserve players in a Regu.

7.5.2. A reserve player (or two) that gets substituted into a Regu shall play in that particular Regu ONLY.

7.5.3. The remaining reserve players may be substituted into the next Regu(s).

7.5.4. Teams shall not be allowed to make more substitutions (i.e., with other unregistered reserve players) if they have already substituted in all three registered reserves.

7.6. If a Regu starts a set with different players from those who finished the previous set, each change shall be considered as a substitution which has taken place in the new set.

7.7. Each Regu will be allowed to make a substitution for an injured player on the court provided TWO substitutions had not yet been made earlier in the set. If two substitutions had already been made in the same set, and the injured player cannot continue to play, the Regu will not be allowed to proceed and will be considered as having lost the set, with their last recorded points being their final score, while the winning Regu automatically scores 21 points, or whatever the winning score would have been if they were “Playing to 25” in that set.

7.8. If, after a Regu has already made their allowable substitutions in a set, one of the 3 players on the court gets sent off by the Referee with a “Red Card” in the same set, that Regu will NOT be allowed to continue the set with only two players left on the court and will be considered as having lost the set, with their last recorded points being their final score, while the winning Regu automatically scores 21 points, or whatever the winning score would have been if they were “Playing to 25” in that set.

8. ON COURT SEPAK TAKRAW OFFICIALS

8.1. ONE Court Referee, who sits at a table behind the Match Referee, watches the match closely in a general sense and looks out for anything out of the ordinary (i.e., a player faking an injury or an unnecessary apparel adjustment, just to create a bit of a rest for the team, etc.), while ensuring that all the rules of the game are followed by all. The Court Referee has the final word on any dispute during a match. He/she should be very experienced with all aspects of the game, but especially with refereeing, and should be formally dressed to project the importance and professionalism that comes with the job/title.

8.2. ONE Match Referee, who sits on a tall chair a couple feet behind the pole overlooking the net (eye level being about 2 feet above net), is the person who basically controls the flow of the game. He/she: calls the captains forward for the coin toss; times and controls the warm-ups, time outs, and rests between sets; announces what the match is and introduces each Regu to the audience prior to commencement of play; marks the score play by play on an official score sheet; calls the score just before each service toss; watches for and calls faults; announces the winner and the final score at the end. He/she should be trained and experienced with all aspects of the game, but especially with refereeing, and should be formally dressed to project the importance and professionalism that comes with the job/title.

8.3. ONE Assistant Match Referee, whoSTANDSbehind the post a couple feet out from sideline on the opposite side of the court/net from the Match Referee, mainly assists the Match Referee in watching for and calling faults and out of bounds balls. The critical area to watch closely is the action over the net. He/she also keeps extra Takraw balls beside him/her to quickly give to players if the game ball goes way out of bounds. He/she should be very experienced with all aspects of the game, but especially with refereeing, and should be formally dressed to project the importance and professionalism that comes with the job/title.

8.4. TWO Lines Judges, whoSTANDat opposite and adjacent corners of the court from each other (at least 10 feet out from the corner of court) watching the end zone and sideline closest to them, to determine if balls land in or out of bounds. They stand so that, if need be, they can quickly move out of the way of oncoming balls and not interfere with a player who is attempting to bring the ball back into play. The Lines Judges’ decisions could very well dictate the outcome of a match; therefore, they need to know the game, be mature, professional, alert, be completely focused on the ball’s movement with every rally, and preferably (but not mandatory) also have Refereeing training/experience. The Lines Judges should also be formally dressed to project the importance and professionalism that comes with the job/title.

9. THE COIN TOSS AND WARM-UP

9.1. Immediately before the start of a match, the Court Referee will conduct a coin toss with a coin or a disc in the presence of the opposing captains. The winner of the coin toss may elect to either (a) serve or receive, or (b) choose which side of the court to start the match from. The loser makes the remaining choice.

9.2. The side that loses the coin-toss will abide with the Court Referee’s instructions.

9.3. The Regu being awarded with the “service” shall “warm-up” first for 2 minutes followed by the other Regu. Only 5 persons are allowed to move freely on the court during the warmup.

10. POSITION OF PLAYERS DURING SERVICE

10.1. At the start of play, the players of both Regus must be in their respective courts in a ready position.

10.2. The “Tekong” shall stand with his/her supporting (non-kicking foot) inside the serving circle in ready position before the Court Referee calls the score. The kicking foot can be placed freely anywhere that the Tekong chooses during the service.

10.3. Both of the “Forward” players of the serving side must be standing inside their respective quarter circles at the net.

10.4. The opponent or receiving Regu is free to be anywhere within its court that each player chooses, to receive the serve.

11. THE START OF PLAY AND SERVICE

11.1. The Regu that serves first (according to the toss decision) shall start off the first set by serving for the first three (3) points, followed by the other side serving for three (3) consecutive points. Both sides alternate serving in this way after every three (3) points, regardless of which side wins the point.

11.2. The motion of a “Rolling Ball” is counted as ONE TOUCH when the ball hits any part of the body below the neck and ROLLS up or down to another approved part of the body unintentionally.

11.3. When the score is tied 20-20, or deuce, the serve shall alternate between opposing sides on every point thereafter.

11.4. The side which “receives” the serve last in any set shall “serve” first in any subsequent set.

11.5. Players shall switch ends and change sides before the start of each set – except for prior to a “Tiebreak Set”, where players do not switch sides until, during that final Tiebreak Set, one of the Regus reaches 11 points, then they immediately switch sides at that point during the match.

11.6. At the end of each rally, once the Match Referee calls “POINT, (Name of Team), the Tekong of the serving Regu has FIFTEEN SECONDS to be ready for the next service with his/her support foot inside the Serving Circle. If this action is delayed, a warning shall be given. A repetition of this act shall be considered a “Fault” and the opposing Regu gains a point.

11.7. Wiping of sweat, adjusting of attire and other related actions MUST be done within that period of fifteen seconds.

11.8. The throw or pitch of the Takraw ball from a “Forward” player to the “Tekong” must then be executed immediately AFTER the Match Referee announces the score, just prior to every serve. If a Forward player throws the ball to the Tekong to serve before the Match Referee calls the score, it must be re-thrown, and a warning will be given to the Regu. A repetition of this act will be considered a “Fault” and the opposing Regu gains a point.

11.9. During the service, as soon as the Tekong kicks the ball, all players are allowed to move around freely in their respective courts.

11.10. 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 –as long as even the shadow of the ball (very outer edge) is directly over the tape or boundary line, it is considered in bounds.

11.11. In a “Team Event Game” during a Knock-out Tournament, if a winner is already decided at the end of the first two matches, the losing Team is not obligated to play a third match with their third Regu … but must have a third Regu since Teams without three Regus will not have been allowed to play in the event.

11.12. In a “Team Event Game” during a Round Robin Tournament or League Schedule, if a winner is already decided at the end of the first two matches, the losing Team still MUST PLAY A THIRD MATCH with their third Regu. Teams without a third Regu will not have been allowed to play in the event.

12. FAULTS

     

12.1. The Serving Side During Service

12.1.1. The Forward player who is making service throws, plays around with the ball (throwing the ball up, bumping it, giving it to the other Forward player, etc.) after the score has been announced by the Referee.

12.1.2. The Forward player lifts his/her feet or steps on/over the line or touches/crosses under the net while throwing the ball to the Tekong during the serve.

12.1.3. The Tekong is still not in ready position after the 15 second Rule, for the second time in the same match.

12.1.4. The Tekong’s support foot lifts off the ground or steps COMPLETELY OUT of the Service Circle BEFORE the kicking foot contacts the ball during the serve.

12.1.5. The Tekong does not “KICK” the ball on the service throw (i.e. hits ball with head or knee).

12.1.6. The ball touches the Tekong’s own player before crossing over to the opponent’s court.

12.1.7. The ball goes over the net but falls outside the court.

12.1.8. The ball does not cross over the net to the opponent’s side.

12.1.9. A player uses his/her hand(s) or arm(s) to facilitate the execution of a kick, even if the hand(s) or arm(s) do not touch the ball but touch other objects or surfaces before the ball is kicked.

12.1.10. For the second time during the same Match, the Forward player of the Serving Regu throws the ball to his/her Tekong to execute the serve before the Referee announces the score.

12.2. Serving and Receiving Side During Service

12.2.1. Deliberately creating distractions to the opposing Regu by shouting, making noises or gesturing at their opponent after the Match Referee calls the score, just prior to the serving Regu executing their serve.

12.3.For Both Sides During The Match

12.3.1. A player touches the ball or touches an opponent on the opponent’s side of the net.

12.3.2. Any part of a player's body CROSSES OVER into the opponent's court above or below the net, except during the follow-through after striking the ball from one’s own side.

12.3.3. Contacting the ball with more than 3 consecutive hits on one side.

12.3.4. The ball touches a player’s arm or hand (except for during the service throw).

12.3.5. Ball STOPS or STALLS on any part of player’s body.

12.3.6. Any part of a player’s body or a player's attire, e.g. shoes, jersey, head band etc., touches the net, post, Referee’s chair, or any object outside the court, or falls onto the opponent's side.

12.3.7. The ball touches the floor, wall, ceiling or any objects other than the net, outside the court during play.

12.3.8. A player uses the aid of an external object as a form of support to facilitate the execution of a kick.

12.3.9. The ball does not cross over the net to the opponent’s side within 3 hits during play.

12.3.10. The ball goes over the net within 3 hits but falls outside the opponent’s court during play. 

12.3.11. A player intentionally delays match unnecessarily.

13. SCORING SYSTEM

13.1. When either Serving Regu or Receiving Regu commits a fault, a point is awarded to the opposing Regu that did not fault.

13.2. The winning point for a Set is twenty-one (21) points, by a minimum lead of 2 points.

13.3. If the score is tied at 20-20, the Match Referee will announce, “Deuce, playing up to 25 points”, and play continues until the Set can be decided on a difference of two points, up to a ceiling of 25 points. If the score is then tied at 24-24, the side to earn the next point wins the Set.

13.4. Each match shall be determined on the basis of a best-of-three- sets format, with a two-minute break in between sets. Sets shall be referred to as the first, second and third. The Regu that wins two sets first, shall be declared the winner of the match.

14. TIME-OUT

14.1. Each Regu will be entitled to ONE (1) TACTICAL TIME-OUT IN EACH SET, with each such time-out to last a maximum of one (1) minute. During the time-out, players must go outside the court, behind the baseline. Only 5 persons are allowed behind the base line during a time-out.

14.2. Only the Team Manager or the Coach may call for a time-out, and only when the ball is NOT in play.

14.3. The 5 persons behind the baseline should consist of the 3 players who were just playing in the match and two other persons, such as coach and manager, who must be wearing different outfits than the players on the court.

15. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PLAY

15.1. The Match Referee can suspend play temporarily in the event of obstructions, disturbances or any injury to a player who needs immediate treatment, for not more than 5 minutes for each Regu in a match.

15.2. An injured player is allowed up to 5 minutes of “Injury Time-out”. If after 5 minutes the player is unable to continue, a substitution must be made. If the injured player's Regu has already made their TWO substitutions in the same set, the match will be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing Regu, and the injured Regu’s last recorded points being their final score, while the winning Regu automatically records a score of 21, or whatever the winning score would have been if they were “Playing to 25”.

15.3. In the event of obstructions, disturbances, or any other matters, only the Match Referee can suspend play upon concurrence with the Tournament Committee.

15.4. During such suspension of play, all players are not allowed to leave the court, except with the expressed permission of the Match Referee.

15.5. A ‘LET’ is a call by the Match Referee that require a rally to be replayed. This occurs when:

15.5.1. The Match Referee is unable to decide which side to be awarded the point, and declares a ‘REPLAY’.

15.5.2. The Match Referee needs to stop lay temporarily due to some interference during the rally.

16. DISCIPLINE

16.1. Every Player, Regu, Team and Coaching Staff must abide by the Rules of the Game.

16.2. Only the Captain of a Regu is allowed to approach the Referee during a match, when the ball is not in play, for matters either relating to the position or condition of a player in the Regu, or to ask for a reasonable explanation of a decision made by the Match Referee concerning the match, for which the Referee must accede to the request made by the Captain.

16.3. However, Coaches, Team Managers, Players and/or Team Officials are not allowed to dispute the Referee’s decision during the match, nor are they allowed to act in any way that will jeopardize the continuity of the match, for which such act shall be regarded as a serious breach of discipline, and Disciplinary Action shall be taken against such person.

17. PENALTY

Fouls and misconduct are penalized as follows:

17.1. Caution Offences– A player is shown the “Yellow Card” and “Cautioned” if he/she commits any of the followingoffences:

17.1.1. Is guilty of unsporting behavior, whereby the display of such behavior can be reasonably regarded as either a mitigated or unmitigated violation of the norms of sporting ethics and can be considered as having, or will have, a detrimental effect on the proper conduct of the match as a whole.

17.1.2. Shows dissent to Match Officials by word or action.

17.1.3. Any repeated infringement during the same match.

17.1.4. Delays the start of play.

17.1.5. Enters, re-enters, or leaves the court without Match Referee'spermission (except during regular play);

17.2. Sending-off Offences– A player is shown the “Red Card” and “Sent Off” (immediately sent out of the match) if he/she commits any of the following fiveoffences:

17.2.1. Dangerous play.

17.2.2. Violent conduct, including an act executed with deliberate intent to cause injury to his/her opponent or any other person.

17.2.3. Spiting at an opponent or any other person.

17.2.4. Use of offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.

17.2.5. Receives a second caution (Yellow Card) in the same match.

17.3. Yellow Card– Is shown to any player who commits a ‘Caution Offence’, either on or off the court, whether directed towards an opponent, team-mate, Match Referee, Assistant Referee, or any other person, during the match.

The showing of a ‘Yellow Card’ by the Match Referee to a player during a match is governed as follows:

17.3.1. Offence: FIRST Yellow Card

Penalty: Normal Caution

17.3.2. Offence: The same player receives a SECOND Yellow Card in a different match, but in the same tournament.

Penalty: Compulsory One Match Suspension.

17.3.3. Offence: The same player receives a THIRD Yellow Card in the same tournament, after his/her Match Suspension has been served for the first two Yellow Cards received.

Penalty: Compulsory Two-match Suspension, PLUS a US $100 Fine that must be paid by the club or any other body the player represents in the competition.

17.3.4. Offence: The same player receives a FOURTH Yellow Card in the same tournament, after having served a two-match suspension for the earlier third Yellow Card.

Penalty: Immediate suspension from playing in the next and all subsequent matches in any tournament sanctioned by the relevant Sepak Takraw controlling authority until a Disciplinary Committee has convened to reach a final decision on the matter.

17.3.5. Offence: The same player receives TWO Yellow Cards WITHIN THE SAME MATCH.

Penalty: Immediately sent out of the current match, PLUS a two-match Suspension (next two matches), PLUS a US $100 Fine that must be paid by the club or any other body the player represents in the competition. A Red Card will be given for a third disciplinary offence committed in any other subsequent match in the same tournament.

17.4.Red Card– Is shown to a player who commits a ‘Sending-off Offence’, either on or off the court, whether directed towards an opponent, team-mate, Referee, Assistant Referee, or any other person, during the match.

The showing of a ‘Yellow Card’ by the Match Referee to a player during a match is governed as follows:

17.4.1. Offence: Red Card

Penalty: Sent OUT of the match and immediate suspension from playing in any tournament sanctioned by the relevant Sepak Takraw controlling authority until a Disciplinary Committee has convened to reach a final decision on the matter.

18. MISCONDUCT OF TEAM OFFICIALS

18.1. Disciplinary action will be taken against Team Officials or his/her Regu/Team for any misconduct or disturbances committed by the official or Regu/Team during a tournament, whether inside or outside the court.

18.2. Any Team Official who commits misconduct or disturbances will be immediately escorted out of the arena by the Tournament Officials and the Court Referee. Such person will also be immediately suspended from being a Team Official by the relevant Sepak Takraw controlling authority, until a Disciplinary Committee has convened to reach a final decision on the matter.

18.3. A Team Official who has committed a breach of discipline shall be dealt with in accordance with Rule 17.4.

19. GENERAL

19.1. Any matter not expressly provided for in these Rules of the Game shall be referred to the Council of the respective association or federation concerned.

These Rules of the Game and applicable amendments have been approved during the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) Congress on 20 October 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.

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II. STANDARD SEPAK TAKRAW “MATCHPROTOCOL” … A REFEREE’S GENERAL GUIDE

A. BEGINNING OF THE MATCH:

1. Announcer calls Regus/Teams to their respective courts … all Regus/Teams & support staffs enter.

2. Casual warmups, all players, each Regu/Team on own side (stretches, pairs drills and/or circle drill, etc.).

3. Court Referee enters the court and directs Regus/Teams to the baselines, and then all Regu/Team A & B players line up behind their baselines (including reserve players).

4. Announcer introduces all Regu/Team A players by number and full name then the coach and team manager by full names (each step out & wave), followed by Regu/Team B in the same way.

5. From baselines, Regus/Teams walk around the outside of the court, counterclockwise, to the middle of the net on their own side, shake hands over the net, then go to their respective center courts for a huddle and cheer.

6. Reserve players go off; starters go back to the baseline.

7. Court Referee calls, “Captains”, who come to the net for the ‘Toss’ (coin or token) to decide ‘Side or Service’.

8. Regu winning the toss usually chooses “Service”, so has the first 2-minute warm-up. As an example, the Court Referee would call, “Canada, 2-minutes warm-up”. Canada would then have the whole court (both sides), the starting players on their side with no more than 2 other Regu members (reserve player/s and/or coach or manager) on other side throwing/catching balls. The opposing Regu then takes their 2-minute warm-up immediately after the first Regu in the same manner.

9. Both Regus go back to their respective baselines as Match Referee, Assistant Match Referee, Lines Judges and Scorekeepers enter the court, walking single file, taking their positions as they approach.

10. The Announcer introduces officials, i.e., “Officiating this match will be: Match Referee, John Smith, from Canada; Assistant Match Referee, Wu Chin, from China; and Court Referee, Ralf Howe, from USA”. Officials wave at the crowd, shake hands with each other, and then take their places.

11. The Match Referee announces the Name of the tournament, Men’s or Women’s category, Regu or Team Event, and Division (if applicable). This is followed by introducing the Regu on his/herRIGHT FIRST, then the Regu on the left. As an example, it should sound like this,“Welcome to the 2016 Canadian Open Sepak Takraw Championships! This is the Men’s Regu Event. On my right, Canada, represented by: number 1 - captain, number 3, and number 5; on my left, USA, represented by number 2 - captain, number 4, and number 6.”

12. Regus take their starting positions. The Match Referee looks to Lines Judges, Score Keepers, Assistant Match Referee and Players for a “ready” nod, then when he/she is sure everyone is ready, gives a ball to the Regu that won first serve (and also had first warm-up) to begin the match.

B. CALLING THE SCORE:

1. Before each toss and serve begins, the Match Referee MUST FIRST announce the score.

2. A “0” score is indicated by the word “LOVE” (as in tennis).

3. A tie score is indicated by saying the score numbers, followed by the word “ALL”, i.e., “SIX ALL”, if tied at 6 points each.

4. The Match Referee announces the OPENING score as, i.e., “Canada serving … LOVE – ALL, FIRST SERVE”.

5. The next score called will be “ONE – LOVE, SECOND SERVE”, etc.,always announcing the serving regu’s score first, followed by stating which of the 3 serves they are serving.

C. END OF 1ST SET, BEGINNING OF 2ND SET:

1. Players go to their respective baselines.

2. Match Referee announces, “Change sides”, players walk single file, around the outside boundary of the court counterclockwise, to opposite baseline (those at the Regus’/Teams’ benches may also change sides/benches).

3. Match Referee announces the score of the first set before indicating a two-minute rest. As an example, it should sound something like this, “First set, USA 21, Canada 18, two minutes rest”.

4. Coach or Team Manager takes water to the players, and all must remain off the court and behind the baseline during the rest period.

5. When the 2 minutes is up, the Match Referee calls the players to take their positions, gives a ball to the regu that was not serving last in the previous set, and announces, “Second set between Canada and USA, Canada serving … LOVE – ALL, FIRST SERVE”.

D. END OF SECOND OR THIRD SET, IF ALSO END OF MATCH:

1. Players go to their respective baselines.

2. Match Referee announces the scores of all sets and winner before getting players to shake hands. As an example, it should sound something like this, “First Set, USA 21, Canada 18. Second Set Canada 25, USA 24. Third Set USA 21, Canada 19. USAwins the match, 2 sets to 1, shake hands please”.

3. Players walk single file, around the outside of the court, counterclockwise, to their sides of the net, shake hands with Referees as they pass them at the posts, then shake hands with each other over the middle of the net, come back to their center courts, have a final huddle and cheer, then turn out to acknowledge the spectators.

E. GENERAL:

1. When players return the ball to their opponents on the other side of the net between rallies, the ball must always be rolled gently across the court floor and under the net, never kicked back or thrown in the air to the other side (this is considered extremely disrespectful).

2. Referees are always treated with the utmost respect in the manner in which players/coaches/managers/minor officials speak to them … of the players on the court, only the captain may approach the Referees.

3. Regus are allowed to have 2 reserve players in Regu Events, but only 1 in Team Events, and up to TWO substitutions per set.

4. During a match, there is ONE ‘1-minute Time Out’ per set allowed for each Regu, and ONE ‘2-minute Rest’ between each set.

5. Ideally, there areFIVEOfficialsin a standard Sepak Takraw Match:

1–Court Referee... sits at a table behind the Match Referee, has the final word on any dispute.

1–Match Referee… sits on a tall chair beside the center pole of the net, just in front of Court Referee.

1–Assistant Match Referee… stands beside the opposite pole on the opposite side of net from the Match Referee.

2–Lines Judges… stand well back (about 10 feet or so) from the corner of the court, at adjacent corners of the court to each other … standing, not sitting, so they can quickly move out of the way if need be during the course of play.

6. Other on-court “Helpers” may be2 – 4“Score Keepers” who sit at two alternate corners of the court (again, at least 10 feet out from the back baseline) flipping score cards visible to spectators (if an electronic score board is not available), and1“Ball Fetcher” who sits just behind the Assistant Match Referee with a bucket of balls and passes balls to the Assistant Match Referee to pass to the players when the ball being played on the court goes way out of bounds.

7. There are no whistles in Sepak Takraw, players must listen to and watch the Match Referee.