All you need to know about beach soccer

beach-soccer

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Beach soccer, also known as beach soccer, sand soccer or beasal, is an adaptation of classic soccer, played on beaches or sandy pitches. It is distinguished by its dynamism, combining skill, technique and creativity in a warm, festive atmosphere enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

This guide takes you on a journey through the history and development of beach soccer, detailing its specific rules, major tournaments and leading teams. Find out all you need to know about beach soccer, a sport that’s booming all over the world.

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Definition: What is beach soccer?

Beach soccer, that exciting sport played on the sand, wasn’t always as we know it today. But where exactly did it come from? And how did it evolve to become the global sport it is today? Let’s discover the origins and evolution of beach soccer.

Beach soccer first saw the light of day on the beaches of Brazil towards the end of the 19th century. The story goes that European sailors, during their stopovers in Brazil, began playing soccer on the beaches, taking advantage of the moments of relaxation between two voyages. The Brazilians, already fervent soccer fans, joined them and adapted the game to the specific characteristics of the sand. And so beach soccer was born.

Beach soccer: from the beach to worldwide competition

Long played informally in coastal communities, with no precise rules or official organization, beach soccer took a decisive turn in 1992. That year, the laws of the game were formalized and a first pilot event was organized in Los Angeles, USA. The following year, Miami Beach, Florida, hosted the first professional beach soccer competition, with teams from four countries taking part: the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Italy.

The sport quickly attracts international attention thanks to its dynamism and the presence of famous players such as Éric Cantona, Romário, Zico and Míchel. Under the aegis of Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), created in 1996, international tournaments are multiplying, boosting beach soccer’s popularity worldwide.

Here are some of the key moments in the history of beach soccer:

Beach soccer: what are the rules?

Beach soccer, which is played on sand, differs from traditional soccer, which is played on grass. But what exactly are the differences? How is a beach soccer team structured, and what role does each player play?

Let’s find out about the specific rules that make beach soccer such an exciting and dynamic sport.

What are the differences between beach soccer and traditional soccer?

Beach soccer differs from traditional soccer in a number of ways that influence the flow and style of play. The main differences are as follows:

What is the role of each beach soccer player?

A beach soccer team has five players on the pitch, including a goalkeeper, and seven substitutes. Players can change position according to the coach’s strategy.

Specific beach soccer rules

Beach soccer has specific rules that distinguish it from traditional soccer. The most important are as follows:

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Beach soccer around the world

Beach soccer, an exciting sport played on the sand, has won over fans all over the world. But which major events bring together the most talented national teams and clubs? Which nations dominate the sport? And what role does beach soccer play in promoting social inclusion and sporting culture on a global scale? Let’s delve into the world of beach soccer, a sport that unites people and inspires dreams.

Beach soccer: tournaments and competitions

Beach soccer is punctuated by a number of prestigious international competitions, in which the best national and club teams take part. Among the best-known are :

Which national teams dominate beach soccer?

Nations from every continent take part in beach soccer, but some have particularly distinguished themselves:

How does beach soccer help promote social inclusion and global sporting culture?

Beach soccer plays a key role in promoting social inclusion and global sporting culture.

Accessible to all, beach soccer requires only a sand pitch, a ball and stakes for goals, enabling anyone to play the sport, wherever they are.

It promotes social integration by bringing together people from different backgrounds to play together in a spirit of fair play and tolerance.

By presenting a variety of playing styles and bringing together teams from all walks of life, beach soccer enriches global sporting culture and encourages intercultural dialogue.

To discover beach soccer is to open up to a fascinating sport played on the sand, which has seduced the whole world. You’ll have explored the origins and evolution of this discipline, understood its rules and discovered the international competitions and teams that dominate the field.

Beach soccer plays an important role in promoting social inclusion and sporting culture worldwide.

The sport is open to all, and stands out for its unique combination of skill, technique, creativity and spectacle, providing an enjoyable environment for players and spectators alike.

It also conveys essential values such as fair play, respect, solidarity and tolerance.

If you’re tempted by the beach soccer experience, find out more about local clubs and associations. You can also visit the website of Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), the organization responsible for beach soccer worldwide, to keep up to date with the latest news and results.