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 Balls woven of rattan stems have primarily been replaced by woven synthetic balls, which are much safer and more durable.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.
藤球產生於馬來地區，是新加坡、馬來西亞、印度尼西亞等國家的傳統體育項目，同時藤球也在東南亞地區廣泛流行，比如菲律賓、泰國、老撾等。藤球融合了排球、足球、羽毛球等運動的特點，是壹項需要很高技巧性並具有很高觀賞性的運動。1990年第11屆亞運會（北京）上藤球首次成為亞運會正式比賽項目。