THE GAME OF BOLA KAKI TIGA OR SLIPPER BALL

Bola Kaki Tiga, or Bola Selipar, is played in groups of four to eight players.  There are two teams, the ‘builder’ (the team handling the slippers) and the ‘chaser’.   Like the name of the game, slippers are used.  Three slippers are laid together against each other in an upright position.  The essence of the game is that the slippers have to be set upright again by the builder team after they are hit/fallen.

First, the builder team will stand about 10-15 feet away from the slippers.   Each player is given three chances to hit the slippers with a ball. As the builder player throws the ball trying to hit the slippers, one chaser team player will stand right behind the slippers to catch the ball.

If the throw manages to hit the slippers, the chasers will take the ball quickly and hit the builder with it.  The builders have to avoid being hit at all costs.  But while avoiding the hit, they must also lay the slippers upright again.  If all of the builders are hit by the ball, they will lose the game.

But when ‘killing’, the chaser who is holding and throwing the ball cannot move or run. He has to stand still when throwing and can only run again after throwing the ball. 

If the ball hits any one of the builders, he or she is considered ‘killed off’.  When the builders are all hit, the chasing team wins.  Then begins the next round of the game where the teams swap roles; the builder will be the chaser, and vice versa. 

But if the builders manage to avoid the hits and are able to position the fallen slippers upright again; they win.  The game thus continues.  

Translated by Megawati Omar, PhD