Adapted Sepak Takraw: 3v3 with the Circle Serve

A school version of sepak takraw, a Southeast Asian net sport in which three players send the ball over the net without using their hands. It keeps the sport's core features: three touches per side, a serve from the back player standing in a circle, and setter and spiker roles.

How to play

1. Context: sepak takraw's roots in Southeast Asia, the traditional rattan ball and the roles: the server, who plays at the back, and two front players, the setter and the spiker (3 min).
2. Serve from the hoop: the setter tosses the ball by hand to the server, who kicks it over the net; ten serves each (7 min).
3. Cooperative 3 vs 3 rally with a balloon: up to three touches per side and no hands; count the record number of passes over the net (6 min).
4. 3 vs 3 games with a soft ball on three courts, one bounce allowed per side; rotate roles each time your team wins the serve (15 min).
5. Reflection: which role was hardest and why? What abilities does this sport demand? (4 min).

Rules

• No one touches the ball with hands or arms, except the setter tossing for the serve.
• Up to three touches per side before the ball crosses the net.
• Legs don't go over the net or into the other court.
• No bicycle kicks or spikes that end on the floor: attack with a foot planted.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users may return the ball with the head, chest or forearm and serve by throwing.
• Knee injury: plays setter, who in this version may use the thigh and head.
• Students with less foot skill start with a balloon on a smaller court.

Learning goals

• Learn about a net sport from another culture and its features.
• Improve control with the foot, thigh and head.
• Cooperate across the team's three touches.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton nets: 3
• soft balls: 6
• balloons: 12
• hula hoops: 6
• cones: 24

Teacher tip

Use lowered badminton nets, or a rope with ribbons tied between two posts. A foam ball about 15 centimeters across works well. Typical mistake: trying to attack on the first touch; insist on receive, set, attack.

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