Top 11 Beach Soccer Rules - Rev. 5-03-2011
In an effort to help you maximize your experience at Beach Soccer, we have outlined the Top 11 Beach Soccer Rules below. Many tournaments have modifications to these rules, but some are moving toward FIFA rules compliance. Please be patient with the referees and other coaches as everyone adjusts. Read your tournament rules

1. Goalkeeper Delay of Game "5 second Rule"
Once the Goalkeeper has possession of the ball, he has 5 seconds to release the ball.
If goalkeeper delays game (5 second rule), the opposing team is awarded a direct kick from the center halfway line.

2. Substitutions
Substitutions can be made at any time whether the ball is in play or not.
Player must come off field before the substitute may enter the field.
Substitute infraction results in a direct kick from center halfway line (ALSO INCLUDES a 2 MINUTE PENALTY IN THE PRO BRACKET ONLY)

3. Foul in offensive half of the field
Result is a free kick from the place of the foul. The ball or feet only can be used to make a mound.
All other players form a straight line even/behind the position of the ball.
The player fouled must take the kick unless injured and substituted for. In the case of an injury, only the substitute may take the kick. The kick is a direct kick.

4. Foul in defensive half of the field - "Cone."
Result is a free kick taken from the spot of the foul. The ball or feet only can be used to make a mound.
All other players form an imaginary "Cone" formed by drawing a line between the ball and each goal post
Players must not enter the "cone" until the ball has either touched the ground or the opposing goalkeeper.
The fouled player must take the kick unless injured and replaced by a substitute. The kick is a direct kick.
Ball cannot be interfered with in the "cone" in the Penalty area. Result is a penalty kick.

5. Penalty Kick
Result is a penalty kick. The ball is placed in the middle of the imaginary penalty box line. The ball or feet only can be used to make a mound.
Player fouled must take the kick unless injured and substituted for - only the substitute may take the kick.
All players must stand outside of the imaginary penalty box line 5 yards away from the ball.

6. Goal Throw/Clearance
When the ball goes out of play over the end line, the result is a goal clearance.
The goalkeeper may throw the ball into play from anywhere inside the penalty box.
The goal clearance is an indirect restart, which means that if the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opposing goal, a goal clearance is awarded to the opponent. If the ball touches any player, a goal is awarded.

7. Corner Kick
Player has 5 seconds to put ball in play once player has possession. The ball or feet only can be used to make a mound.
Infraction to this rule results in a ball clearance being awarded to the opponent goalkeeper.
If a player touches the ball twice consecutively during the taking of the corner kick, a direct kick from the center of the halfway line will be awarded to the opposing team.

8. Goalkeeper Possession
When the ball is possessed by the goalkeeper during the run of play, the goalkeeper may throw, punt the ball with the ball touching the ground before kicking it, or play the ball on the ground with his feet. All are indirect and a goal cannot be scored from this situation. Restart is a direct kick in the center of the halfway line.

9. Goalkeeper Pass Rule
The goalkeeper shall not be allowed to touch the ball with his hands or arms when a ball is returned to him from a
player of his team twice consecutively, without the ball having touched an opponent player. This includes balls
played back in any manner or part of the body including headers or an inbound pass.
Infraction of the pass-back rule results in the opposing team being awarded a direct kick from the center of the halfway line.

10. Kick-Offs
Kickoffs are Indirect kicks
This is the only situation where opposing players may set up a wall. The wall must be five yards from the ball.
The defending players are free to approach the ball once it has been touched by the attacking players and moves forward or upwards.

11. Touchline or (sideline) restart
Balls going out over the touch line, which are also called sidelines, may be thrown or kicked in. The ball cannot be picked up after it is set down for a kick in to do a throw in. The ball or feet only can be used to make a mound. These are indirect restarts. An infraction results in a change of possession at the same location.

 

 

TOURNAMENT RULES OF THE GAME

 

For the Complete Beach Soccer Laws of the Game go to 

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/51/44/62/lotg_bswc_en_0626_56333.pdf

1.    All players must bring a signed liability form and player cards or ID's with their rosters when they check in. Check in time for all teams is 1-1/2 hour before game time. Only players properly registered will be allowed to play in the tournament if any players are found to be playing on a team without being properly registered, subject to the rules and regulations, the game will be forfeited.  Wrist bands are mandatory and must be visible at all times.

2.    Objectives of the Game

1.    The Game is provided for leisure, team play, friendship and healthy competition. Fair play is the essence of Beach Soccer.

3.    The Competition Area, Goals, and the Ball

1.    Dimensions of the courts: At the Tournament Directors’ discretion – a smaller size 25x35 yard courts for younger divisions may be used, all other divisions will use 30x40 yards including adults. Perimeters will be marked with roping affixed to the sand. Substitutes, team delegates, and other spectators shall remain at least six (6) feet from the touchlines.

2.    Penalty Area: A Penalty Area will be delineated by colored discs in the sand at each end of the court, 8 yards from, for 25x35 yard courts and 9 yards for 30X40 courts, and paralleling, the baselines. The exact position of a penalty kick shall be from the center of these imaginary lines.

3.    Corners and Center of the Court: Corners will be marked with a standard corner flag. A 1-yard quadrant forms the corner area. A cone or flag will be placed one yard outside each touch line at midfield.

4.    Goals: At the Tournament Directors’ discretion a smaller size 6' x 8' for younger divisions may be used all other divisions including adults will use the 7' x 18' size. Goals are of aluminum or inflatable construction and anchored to the sand at the baselines.

5.    Ball: Twelve & younger divisions may use a size 4; thirteen & older divisions a size 5; inflation pressure is 7 lbs. The referee shall stop the match and the clock, and replace any ball showing signs of deformity. Dropping the replacement ball at the center of the court or restarting with the original stoppage restarts the match. Tournament will provide match ball.

 

PITCH MARKINGS

 

 

PITCH SURFACE

 

 

KICK-OFF

 

4.    The Game: Start, Duration, Free Kicks , Offside, and Pass-back Rules

1.    Start of Game:

· A coin is tossed and the team that wins the toss decides whether to attack in a certain direction in the first period of play or whether to take the kick-off;

· The teams change ends In the second and overtime period;

· A coin is tossed before the third period again;

· The Kick-off will be made from the center of the court on the referee's whistle;

· Opposing players must remain at least 5 yards away from the ball;

· The ball must be passed forward or upward;

· After a goal, the game restarts from the same point;

· A goal cannot be scored directly from the kickoff.

 

2.    Duration of the Game;

· All games shall employ three 12 minute periods, separated by two minute intermissions to exchange ends;

· A referee's whistle ends each period;

· Should the referee stop time for injury or if a team is wasting time, he/she may add extra time at the end of a period.

The duration of each period may be prolonged to enable a penalty kick or a direct free kick to be taken. The match or period play ends when;

· The ball goes directly into a goal and a goal is scored;

· After the ball is kicked it passes over the boundaries of the pitch;

· The ball touches the goalkeeper or the posts, crossbar or sand and passes into the goal – the goal is awarded;

· The ball touches any other player other than the goalkeeper after it has been kicked;

· The defending goalkeeper stops the ball or it rebounds from the goalposts or crossbar and does not enter the goal.

3.    How to Win:

· See tie breaker information in "Tournament Standings" section.

4.    Scoring a Goal:

· A goal shall be scored when the ball entirely crosses over the goal line in the air or on the ground between the goal posts and under the crossbar.

5.    Out of Play:

· The ball is considered out of play when the entire ball crosses the goal line or touch line.

6.    The Pass-Back Rule:

· The goalkeeper shall not be allowed to touch the ball with his/her hands or arms when a ball is returned to him by any teammate twice consecutively without it having touched an opponent.

· This includes heading the ball to the goalkeeper or playing the ball from a throw-in to the goalkeeper without the ball having touched an opponent.

· Infraction of the pass-back rule results in the opposing team being awarded a free kick from the center of the court.

7.    Offside:

· There are no offside.

8.    Free Kicks:

· All free kicks are direct.

5.    Team Formation, Number of Players, Substitutions ;

1.    Number of Players:

· The game is played by two teams, each consisting of no more than five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper;

· Youth U8, U9and U10 divisions play seven (7) players per side;

· Teams must have a minimum of three players on the pitch to start the match;

· A minimum of three (3) female players shall be included on each coed team roster, two (2) of which shall be on the pitch at all times during the match;

· If only one (1) female is available due to injury, the team must play down one (1) player;

· If no (0) female is available due to injury, the team must play down two (2) players.

2.    Substitutions; 

· A substitution may be made anytime and is unlimited, whether the ball is in or out of play;

· The substitute can only enter the pitch after a player that is being substituted for has left the pitch at the halfway line on their team side;

· If a player enters the pitch before a teammate has left, he/she will receive a yellow card;

· Restart shall be a free kick from the imaginary point in the middle of the halfway line.

 

3.    Minimum Number of Players:

· The minimum number of players on the pitch is three (3) with one (1) being the goalkeeper;

· The team that fields less than three (3) players during the game will be declared the loser of that game, with a score of 0-3 regardless of the score at the time the game was stopped.

4.    Goalkeeper Substitutions:

· A goalkeeper may be substituted at any time;

· Any player may change places with the goal keeper providing;

· The referee is informed before substitution takes place;

· The player must wear a goal keeper shirt or something to differentiate them;

6.    Referees;

1.    The game shall be controlled by a referee who has the authority to enforce the laws of the game;

2.    The referee will be located at the halfway line;

3.    The referee may chance a decision if he realizes a mistake has been made, only prior to restart of the game;

4.    The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final;

5.    The referee will serve as timekeeper and scorekeeper;

6.    The Tournament Director shall determine, before the game, or during play, if conditions are suitable for safe play;

7.    At the discretion of the Tournament Director a decision may be made before or during play to employ two or more referees on the field.

 

7.    Goalkeeper ball handling In Play;

1.    When the goalkeeper controls the ball during play in the penalty area he can distribute the ball by use of the feet with the ball touching the ground or throwing the ball by hand;

2.    A goal cannot be scored directly from throwing;

3.    A goal may be scored directly by placing the ball on the ground and then kicking it;

4.    When the ball is placed on the ground it is considered in play and the keeper may not pick it up again;

5.    Infractions;

· A free kick is awarded at the point of the infraction

1.    Deliberate Handling:  if the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball outside of the penalty area...

· A free kick from the imaginary point in the center of the halfway line will be awarded to the opposing team if the goalkeeper

1.    Volley Kick: releases the ball from his hands and kicks it into the air before it hits the ground.

2.    Second Touch: picks it up after placing it on the ground.

3.    Second Back-Pass: deliberately touches the ball with his hands or arms when the ball is returned to him by a team-mate a second consecutive time, including a header, without it having touched an opponent.

 

8.    Player Equipment;

1.    Footwear:

· It is strictly forbidden to wear anything (including any kind of jewelry) that could be dangerous to the player or another player to include adjustment strap stops that protrude at the heel.

· Authorized footwear includes bare feet, socks taped up and/or elastic ankle and/or foot wraps.

2.    Uniforms:

· Uniforms shall consist of shirts of the same color;

· Playing vests are appropriate;

· Goalkeepers shall wear a uniform of contrasting color with other players and the referee.

3.    Protective Equipment;

· Use of plastic goggles for eye protection is allowed.

 

9.    Fouls and Infractions;

1.    Fouls:

· If any player commits any of the following infractions, a free kick will be awarded, taken from the spot of the infringement;

· The player who is faulted must take the free kick unless seriously injured, in such case; the player’s substitute shall take the kick.

2.    Advantage:

· The referee shall allow play to continue when a team that has suffered the foul will benefit from such advantage;

· Shall penalize the original offense if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time.

3.    Free Kick; It is considered a foul, and a Free Kick is awarded to the opposing team, if a player commits any of the following offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force;

· Kick or attempts to kick an opponent ;

· Tackles or attempts to tackle an opponent either by sliding or by bending down in front or behind him;

· Jumps at an opponent;

· Charges an opponent ;

· Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent;

· Slide tackle, or jump, at an opponent, No Slide tackles allowed;

· Pushes an opponent.

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences;

· Holds an opponent;

· Spits at an opponent;

· Handles the ball, i.e. deliberately carries, propels or throws it with a hand or arm (except for the goalkeeper in his own penalty area);

· Holds the ball back deliberately with his legs in the opponents half so as to waste time;

· Plays dangerously in the opponents half;

· Deliberately obstructs an opponent in the opponents half;

· Prevent a goalkeeper from releasing the ball;

· Touches the opponent before the ball when attempting to win possession.

 

4.    Penalty Kick;

· For any of these infractions committed by the defending team in the penalty area the opponent will be awarded a Penalty Kick.

5.    Infractions Yellow Cards Player: the referee shall show a yellow card when a player

· Is guilty of unsporting behavior;

· Shows dissent by words or action;

· Persistently infringes on the laws of the game;

· Delays the restart of the game;

· Fails to respect the required distance during restarts;

· Enters or reenters the pitch without the referees permission or infringes on the substitution procedure;

· Deliberately leaves the pitch without the referee’s permission.

6.    Infractions Yellow Cards Substitutes; the referee shall show a yellow card when a substitute;

· Is guilty of unsporting behavior;

· Shows dissent by word or action;

· Delays the restart of the game.

7.    Sending off offenses Red Cards; the referee shall show a Red Card when a player:

· Is guilty of serious foul play;

· Is guilty of violent conduct;

· Throws sand at anyone;

· Spits at an opponent or anyone;

· Intentionally denies with a foul an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent ;

· Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language the player shall be sent off the field without being able to reenter the match and shall also be denied participation in any subsequent match for the remainder of the tournament;

· Receives a second caution in the same match.

Decision;

· A player who has been sent off may not re-enter the game or sit on the substitutes’ bench but must leave the vicinity of the pitch;

· Youth players to be released to the parent/guardian on send offs from competition area;

· Another player may substitute a team-mate who has been sent off, after a lapse of two minutes;

· A tackle that endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

 

10.  Unsporting Behavior off the Court:

1.    If a substitute player, coach or team delegate commits a serious aggression, or engages by word or deed in any offensive behavior towards any spectator or participant of the game (i.e., the referee, players, Tournament Staff); the referee shall show him/her the Red Card;

2.    He shall be sent out of the competition area;

3.    The individual's name and reason for suspension will be reported to the Tournament Director for possible additional sanctions;

4.    When play is stopped for this type of unsporting behavior, restart will be by a free kick at the center of the field by the team in possession of the ball when the match was stopped.

 

11.  Free Kick

1.    Free Kick:

· The referee will award a Free Kick (from which a goal can be scored directly against the defending side) where a foul has been committed;

· The player who received the infraction must take the free kick;

· Opponents will approach no closer than 5 yds.  

 

 

2.    Positioning of Players during Free Kicks (Refer to Diagram):

· There will be no walls and opposing players must remain at least five (5) yards away from the kicker;

· If the infraction is committed in the kicking team's defensive of the pitch, an imaginary sector will be established from the point of the foul to each opponent's goal posts. Players of both teams will remain outside of this zone until the Free Kick is taken. Ball played outside of “cone” is considered in play;

· If the infraction is committed in the kicking team's attacking end of the pitch,     players of both teams must be positioned behind, or on the same line, as the    ball placed at the point where the foul was committed;

· When taking a Free Kick, or Corner Kick, a player may place the ball on the spot of the foul and make a small mound to elevate the ball's position using only the ball or feet.

FREE KICK FROM THE DEFENDING HALF

FREE KICK FROM THE ATTACKING HALF

3.    Free Kick Start: A player who takes a Free Kick, or puts the ball in play, may not touch the ball twice consecutively. Breaking this rule will be punished with a Free Kick at the point of infraction.

4.    Infractions During Free Kicks Attacking Team;

· A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the imaginary point in the middle of the halfway line.

5.    Infractions During Free Kicks Defending Team;

· The direct free kick is not retaken if a goal is scored;

· If a goal is not scored, the opposing team is awarded a direct free kick, to be taken from the place where the offence occurred, unless it occurred in the offending players’ penalty area, in which case a penalty kick is awarded.

6.    Injury or Interference Restart: Free kick from the center of the field by team in possession at time of stoppage, or restart as applicable, i.e. ball out of touch.

 

12.  Penalty Kicks;

1.    Penalty Kick: A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits any offence punishable by a free kick inside its own penalty area;

2.    Player taking the Kick: The player taking the kick is the player who was fouled, unless he/she is seriously injured, in which case his substitute will take it;

3.    Fluid Movement: The player who takes the penalty kick must do it in a continuous movement;

4.    Goalkeeper Position: When defending a penalty kick, the goalkeeper must position him/herself and can only move on the goal line between both goal posts;

5.    Players Position: All players are behind the ball at least 5 yards away;

6.    Infractions during Penalty Kicks:

· If an infraction is committed by the attacking team and the goal is scored, the shot will be repeated;

· If after a penalty kick has been taken, the kicker touches the ball for a second time before it was touched by another player, a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the imaginary point in the middle of the halfway line;

· If an infraction is committed by the defending team, the penalty kick will be repeated, unless a goal was scored, in which case the goal will stand.

PENALTY KICK

13.  Direct Free Kick from the imaginary point in the middle of the halfway line;

1.    A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the imaginary point in the middle of the halfway line if;

· A team has possession of the ball inside its own penalty area for more than five (5) seconds when it is not defending it from an opponent;

· The goalkeeper uses his hands to receive a deliberate back-pass from any team-mate two consecutive times without the ball having touched an opponent;

· The goalkeeper releases the ball from his hands and kicks it into the air before it touches the ground;

· The goalkeeper, after having possession of the ball in his hands in his own penalty area, plays the ball with his feet out of his penalty area and returns there to receive the ball with his hands again;

· A player holds the ball back deliberately with his legs in his own half so as to waste time;

· A player plays dangerously in his own half;

· A player deliberately obstructs an opponent in his own half;

· A player commits any other offence, not previously mentioned for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.

14.  Goalkeeper Restart of Game (Goal Clearance);

1.    Restart:

· A goal clearance will be awarded when a player of the attacking team plays or deflects the ball over the base line, excluding the goal itself;

· The goalkeeper shall restart play from anywhere in the penalty area with hands only and has five (5) seconds to do so, from the moment he /she stands and has control of the ball;

· A goal cannot be scored directly from the restart. In such case, the other goalkeeper shall restart play;

· If the goalkeeper delays the game, the opposing team shall be awarded a free kick from the center of the court.

15.  Corner Kick;

1.    Corner Kick:

· Shall be given when a player of the defensive team touches the ball out of bounds through the base line;

· The corner kick must be taken with the feet;

· The place where the corner is taken must be within one (1) yard of the Corner Flag;

· A goal may be scored directly off a corner kick;

· Opposing players may not approach the player taking the kick closer than five (5) yards;

· The player executing the kick has 5 seconds to do so after gaining possession of the ball;

· If the player infringes on his 5 seconds, the opponent goalkeeper shall restart play.

16.  Ball In/Out of Play (Touch Lines);

1.    Out of Bounds:

· A ball is considered out of play when the entire ball crosses over the touch line;

· Restart will be by standard throw-in or kick-in at the point of infraction and cannot change decision on restart;

· Opposing players may approach no closer than five (5) yards;

· A goal cannot be scored from a throw-in or kick-in;

· The player shall have 5 seconds to inbound the ball;

· By infringing this rule, possession will be reversed to the opposing team.

17.  Dropped Ball Restart;

1.    A dropped ball is a way of restarting the match after a temporary stoppage that becomes necessary while the ball is in play for any reason not mentioned in the laws of the game.

· The dropped ball restart is taken at the imaginary point in the middle of the halfway line.

18.  Procedures to Determine the Winner of a Match;

1.    Extra Time;

· One full three minute period and if no goal is scored then proceed to kicks from the penalty mark;

2.    Kicks from the Penalty Mark;

·    The referee chooses the goal at which the kicks will be taken;

·    The team who wins the coin toss decides whether to take first or second kicks;

·    The kicks are taken alternately by the teams;

·    The first team to score one more goal than the other from the same number of kicks is the winner;

·    (Tournament Rules; First team to score more goals from the same amount of kicks is declared the winner of the match);  1 vs. 1;

·    All players including substitutes are eligible to take the kicks;

        Player does not have to be on the pitch at the end of the match.

·         Each kick is taken by a different player and all players must have kicked before any player can take a second kick;

·         Must reduce to equate prior to taking of kicks;

·         A minimum of one female player must kick in the first round for Coed matches.

·    Only the eligible players and the referee are permitted to remain on the pitch;

·    All eligible players except the player taking the kick and the two goalkeepers must remain in the opposite half of the pitch;

·    An eligible player may change places with the goalkeeper at any time.

 

 

 

 

 

Download Tournament Rules here