藤球 Sepaktakraw

It is generally believed that sepaktakraw was played as early as the 9th Century. Traditionally a game of the Malays in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, sepaktakraw is also played in other Southeast Asian countries -- Philippines, Thailand, Burma and Laos.

It is known by different names - sepak raga, sipa, takraw, ching loong or kator. Modern SepakTakraw began in Malaysia. It combines elements of Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball, Badminton, Gymnastics and the ancient sport of Sepak Raga. Balls woven of rattan stems have primarily been replaced by woven synthetic balls, which are much safer and more durable.

Sepaktakraw is played on a court with a hand-woven ball (takraw) by teams made up of two or three people on each side. Points are scored by hitting the ball above the net and into the court (about the size of a badminton court) as the opposing players attempt to "block". In separktakraw games, the players can use the feet, legs, shoulders and head to keep the ball in play, but they can't use their hands. Separktakraw became an official Asian Games sport in 11th Asian Games, Beijing, in 1990.

藤球产生于马来地区，是新加坡、马来西亚、印度尼西亚等国家的传统体育项目，同时藤球也在东南亚地区广泛流行，比如菲律宾、泰国、老挝等。藤球融合了排球、足球、羽毛球等运动的特点，是一项需要很高技巧性并具有很高观赏性的运动。1990年第十一届亚运会（北京）上藤球首次成为亚运会正式比赛项目。

藤球场地长13.4米，宽6.1米，场地上空8米内不得有障碍物。球场中线处有球网。球为圆形，用天然藤条或塑料条编成，球重170克-180克（女子为150克-160克）。

比赛中运动员可以用脚、腿、肩、头等部位控制球，但不能用手。