Where must the players stand when the ball is served?
I · Intermediate · The service and the rally · 2 of 3On the serving side, the tekong has the non-kicking foot in the service circle and the two inside players stand in their quarter circles by the net. The receiving side may stand anywhere in its own court. After a point is called, the tekong has 15 seconds to be ready. A first delay brings a warning, and a second is a fault.
How it works
- Tekong: non-kicking foot inside the service circle, in a ready position, before the referee calls the score.
- Inside players of the serving side: each in their own quarter circle.
- Receiving side: free to be anywhere within its court.
- Until the ball is thrown: an inside player may not lift a foot, step on the quarter circle line or the centre line, or touch or cross the net.
- No playing with the ball: once the score is called, the thrower may not toss it up, bounce it or pass it to the other inside player.
- 15 seconds: from the call of the point, the tekong must be ready with a foot in the service circle.
- Wiping sweat and adjusting kit: within the same 15 seconds.
- Delay: a warning the first time, and a fault for a repeat.
- Distraction: shouting, making noises or gesturing at the opponent after the score is called is a fault, for either side.
The glossary has the position during service, the quarter circle, the inside players, the 15-second rule, the serving-side faults and the distraction.
Tricky cases
Do the receiving players have fixed positions too?
No. The receiving regu is free to be anywhere within its court.
The tekong takes 20 seconds to get ready, for the first time in the match. Is the point lost?
No. The first delay brings a warning. A repeat is a fault.
An inside player has a heel on the quarter circle line as the ball is thrown. Is that allowed?
No. Stepping on the quarter circle or the centre line while the ball is being thrown is a fault.
A receiver shouts as the tekong swings. Is that part of the game?
No. Deliberately creating a distraction by shouting, making noises or gesturing after the referee has called the score is a fault.
Why the rule exists
Pinning the two front players to the corners gives the receivers a clear view of the server and stops the serving side from screening the ball. The 15-second limit keeps the game moving and denies a server the chance to cool off a receiver who is waiting.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Serving side | Tekong in the service circle; inside players in the quarter circles | ISTAF Law 9.2; 9.3 |
| Receiving side | Anywhere in its court | ISTAF Law 9.4 |
| First delay past 15 seconds | Warning | ISTAF Law 10.9 |
| Second delay | Fault | ISTAF Law 11.1.3 |
| After the kick | Everyone may move | ISTAF Law 10.12 |
From the rule book
International Sepaktakraw Federation, Law of the Game 2024 (regu event, 1 January 2024), Laws 9, 10.9 to 10.12, 11.1 and 11.2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Law of the Game (regu).