This is Why Soccer Players Should Play Beach Soccer

What is beach soccer? Beach soccer, also referred to as Beasal, is a variation of the beautiful game that is played barefoot at 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 and women, and literally anyone that 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 made its way into over 100 countries and there are no signs of its popularity slowing down. 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 a challenging yet thrilling experience for players.

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. Different from the traditional grass-based game, beach soccer demands greater control over ball movements due to the uneven sand surface.

This encourages skillful footwork, improvisation, and creativity among players while also posing an additional physical challenge with increased energy expenditure required when running on sand compared to harder surfaces.

The History of Beach Soccer

Beach soccer has grown in popularity a lot over the years from the sunny beaches in South America to the sunny beaches in 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 started taking place in the neighborhoods of the city 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) in Los Angeles, 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.

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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 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 that 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 mitochondria function
• Beach soccer also helps you spend more time in nature which can help decrease stress and improve your mindset

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most successful beach football national team?

The most successful beach football national team is Brazil.

What is the beast 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, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.

Conclusion

In conclusion, beach soccer is a popular variation of association football and it is a sport of its own with various leagues and tournaments known around the world. In this blog, I covered everything you need to know about this fun, sandy, and challenging sport.