What is Beach Soccer? A Complete Guide

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Beach soccer, also known as Beasal in some countries, is a variation of the beautiful game played barefoot on the beach. Beach soccer is a type of 5-a-side soccer game similar to futsal, but clearly with different rules.

Playing beach soccer is a great way to improve your overall soccer skills, and it is also its own sport with its own federation, leagues, and tournaments. Beach soccer can be played by youth players, professional players, men, women, and literally anyone who has a soccer ball at the beach.

Although the sand may not be as accessible as grass in some parts of the world, beach soccer has spread to over 100 countries, and there are no signs of its popularity slowing. In this blog, I will explain all of the basics that you need to know about beach soccer.

The Rise of Beach Soccer

Beach soccer has been making waves in the world of sports, becoming more popular every year. Played on sandy terrains like Venice Beach and Virginia Beach, this unique form of soccer offers players a challenging yet thrilling experience.

Born on Brazil’s sun-kissed coastlines, beach soccer began as friendly matches among locals. The game quickly caught the eye of tourists who spread this innovative sport around the world. Unlike traditional grass-based games, beach soccer demands greater control over ball movement due to the uneven sand surface.

This encourages skillful footwork, improvisation, and creativity among players while also posing an additional physical challenge, as running on sand requires greater energy expenditure than on harder surfaces.

The History of Beach Soccer

Beach soccer has grown in popularity over the years, from the sunny beaches of South America to those of Southern California. Here is a brief history of pro beach soccer.

• The origins of beach soccer date back to the end of the 19th century, when European sailors in coastal Brazil started playing the game on beaches like Copacabana
• Since the game on sand became almost as popular as the game in the streets, especially in Rio de Janeiro, several small tournaments began taking place in the city’s neighborhoods in the 1940s.
• In 1957, these small tournaments on sand merged to become the first official tournament of the game
• In 1992, the rules, or laws, of the game were envisioned,, and a pilot event was staged by Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), a famous beach soccer company.
• In 1993, the first international professional beach soccer tournament took place on the sand at Miami Beach, with the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Italy.
• In 1994, the first Beach Soccer World Championship was held in Brazil, organized by Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW)
• In 2004, beach soccer joined the FIFA family, with the first-ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup being staged on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in 2005.
• Beach soccer is now played in over 100 countries and has its own rules, governing structures, and regular competitions.

The Rules of Beach Soccer

The field

• 35-37 meters in length
• 26-28 meters in width
• Flags marking the edge of the penalty area and the halfway line
• Kickoff begins at the halfway line of the field

Equipment

• The ball used is a standard size 5 soccer ball
• Shoes and cleats are not allowed
• Only ankle shin guards are allowed
• Players can play either barefoot or with socks (preferably sand socks)

Team and Players

• Each team consists of five players total (four outfield players and one goalkeeper)
• Team size can vary based on level, league, and age group.
• Rolling substitutions are allowed, and there is no limit to the number of substitutions
• A maximum of 12 players can be in the match-day squad
• No player is allowed to play on multiple teams

Gameplay

• Regulation time is made up of three periods of twelve minutes each, with a halftime break
• No draws are allowed in beach soccer
• If the scores are tied at the end of regulation time, the match goes to three minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout (5 each – followed by sudden death)
• A direct free-kick is awarded for every serious foul
• The fouled player must take the shot unless they are injured
• There are no offsides and no walls to block the ball during free kicks
• When the ball goes out of bounds through the sidelines, players can restart play with a kick-in or a throw-in
• The goal kick is taken by the goalkeeper
• The referee can give out yellow and red cards for foul play
  • A player who gets a yellow card must sit out for two minutes, and their team must continue playing
  • A red card means the player must be ejected from the game
• A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar

Benefits of Playing Beach Soccer

Playing beach soccer has a ton of benefits, from the obvious ones, such as improving ball control, to other benefits you may not have really thought about.

• Develops many important soccer-related skills
  • Passing
  • Dribbling and performing skill moves
  • Shooting and kicking
  • Heading
  • Crossing
  • Defending
  • Teamwork and communication
• Adds variety to your training
• Great way to network and meet new people
• Great way to help you get in shape and improve endurance
• Playing beach soccer barefoot helps you stay grounded and connected to Native EMFs, which can help improve your sleep, recovery, and mitochondrial function
• Beach soccer also helps you spend more time in nature, which can help decrease stress and improve your mindset.

Summary

To summarize, beach soccer is a popular variant of association football and a sport in its own right, with leagues and tournaments known worldwide. In this blog, I covered everything you need to know about this fun, sandy, and challenging sport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most successful beach football national team?

The most successful beach football national team is Brazil.

What is the best book for beach soccer?

The best book to read to learn more about beach soccer is “How Much Do You Know About Beach Soccer?”

How can I learn more about the game?

To learn more about soccer, the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high-level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews, watch soccer documentaries, and watch some movies, TV shows, and anime.