SIPA

'Sipa' (Kick) is the Philippines national and traditional sport which predates Spanish rule.
The game is related to the Sepak Takraw.
Similar games include Footbag net, Footvolley and Jianzi.
The game is both played on a large court surface inside an indoor or outdoor field (which is about the size of a modern day tennis court) by 2 teams that consists of 1, 2 or 4 players in each side. The aim of the game is to kick a soft ball made out of rattan fragments, back and forth over a high rise net placed in the middle of the court. The sport requires speed, agility and extremely good ball control.

Contents

Versions

Versions

There are various versions of Sipa, with intricate rules that have developed which resemble more of the Westernized version of Hacky Sack.
There are two closely related kicking games that often share the name Sipa. One is the use of a metal washer (possibly introduced by the Chinese) that is tied with cloth or material and kicked about with the foot (Takyan). Another version makes use of a larger rattan woven ball with the same foot action. Though currently, Sipa balls can be purchased online that look just like Hacky Sack balls.
The washer version allows both girls and boys to play, but with girls using the outside of their foot to manipulate the washer, while boys more often use the inside of the foot. Points are scored based on the number of kicks without the ball touching the ground.
The rattan version was traditionally played by boys.
Originally, the rattan Sipa ball was 10 centimeters in diameter and made of woven rattan strips with symmetrical holes, purported to be light and as bouncy as a tennis ball. The most defining feature of the game of Sipa is that the ball should only be touched with the legs anywhere from below the knee to the tip of the toes.
The rattan ball can touch the ground, depending on the determined method of play.
Simplified play (one on one, two on two, or four on four):
In the simplified version, a set of rules determines penalty points (such as the ball bouncing twice on the ground). The two teams play against each other until a set number of penalty points is reached by one of the teams.
There is also a court version in which a large rectangle is marked in grids. Various grids denote zones and dictate where players stand, and how points are allotted based on where the ball lands in the court.
Sipa has now grown arguably to become the National Sport of the Philippines. Senatorial candidate Francis Escudero even urged a revival of the Philippine National Games noting that "Sports should be among the priorities of the government because it does not only lift the Philippine pride, it also inspired the younger generation - our future leaders - to strive harder to make a greater country."
'Sources:'
Lopez, Melli. (1980). A Study of Philippine Games. Quezon City, Philippines: Univ of Philippines Press.
(2007) Escudero urges revival of national games. Retrieved 04/22/2007, from Inquirer Headlines.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=61038