How does the serve work in sepak takraw?
B · Beginner · The service and the rally · 3 of 4An inside player by the net throws the ball to the tekong, who stands with one foot in the service circle and kicks it over the net. The service is good if the ball crosses the net, even after touching it, and lands in the opponents' court. Service passes to the other side after every point.
How it works
- The throw: by one of the two inside players, as soon as the referee calls the score.
- The kick: the tekong must kick the ball from that throw.
- The standing foot: the tekong's non-kicking foot stays on the floor, in the service circle, until the kicking foot meets the ball.
- The kicking foot: may be placed anywhere.
- A good service: the ball passes over the net, between the two net tapes, and lands inside the opponents' boundary lines.
- Touching the net: allowed, if the ball still goes over.
- After the kick: every player may move freely in their own court.
- Alternating: service changes sides after every point, whoever won it.
- Throwing early: a throw before the score is called is thrown again with a warning. A second early throw in the match is a fault.
The glossary has the serve, the tekong, the service circle, the valid service, the service fault and the alternating service.
Tricky cases
The service clips the top of the net and drops into the opponents' court. Is it good?
Yes. The service is valid if the ball passes over the net, "whether it touches the net or not", and lands in the opponents' court.
The tekong hops, so the standing foot leaves the floor before the kick. Is that a fault?
Yes. Lifting the non-kicking foot off the floor before the kicking foot touches the ball is a fault, and so is stepping completely out of the service circle.
The throw is poor and the tekong lets it drop. Is the throw taken again?
No. The tekong not kicking the ball on the service throw is a fault, and the point goes to the other side.
The served ball brushes a teammate's head on its way over. Does it count?
No. The ball touching the server's own player before it crosses the net is a fault.
Why the rule exists
The thrown ball lets the server swing a leg above head height and hit a service that drops steeply, which no player could do from a ball in hand. Fixing one foot in a circle keeps the server at a fair distance from the net.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Good service | Over the net and inside the lines; a net touch is allowed | ISTAF Law 10.13 |
| Foot fault | Standing foot lifted early, or completely out of the circle | ISTAF Law 11.1.4 |
| Missed or left throw | Fault | ISTAF Law 11.1.5 |
| Early throw | Re-thrown with a warning; a fault from the second time | ISTAF Law 10.11; 11.1.10 |
| Service order | Alternates every point, including at 14-14 | ISTAF Law 10.3; 10.5 |
From the rule book
International Sepaktakraw Federation, Law of the Game 2024 (regu event, 1 January 2024), Laws 9, 10 and 11.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Law of the Game (regu).