You may have spent some time on England’s best beaches checking out the stunning skills on display at the Nuts TV England Beach Soccer Tour and might be wondering how the game really works? Well, it’s relatively simple, and here we give you all the info you need on the game’s rules and background – so you can make the best of this coolest of summer sports.

The game is inspired by the acrobatic soccer played on the beaches of Brazil, with official rules created in 1992. The game emphasises the very best aspects of modern football – skill, agility, and of course, goals! With the unusual playing surface, it means entertaining, irregular styles of play, with goals from all areas, amazing overhead kicks and diving headers a common sight.

Beach soccer is fully supported by FIFA and its own governing body, Beach Soccer Worldwide, with The FA supporting it nationally. The pitch is 28 x 37 metres, so approximately a quarter of the size of a grass pitch. This ensures players can shoot from anywhere on the pitch! Shots on goal average every 30 seconds, meaning a goal of around one every three or four minutes. Each team has up to ten players, with five on the sand at any one time. Unlimited subs mean the pace and flow of the game is non-stop and in Beach Soccer, there’s always a winner – golden goals and penalty shoot outs ramp the excitement up even further! Add to this a party atmosphere, great weather, music and more fun and it makes for a non-stop day’s entertainment.

So, here’s Beach Soccer in a nutshell:
The Team: Five players, including the goalkeeper. Unlimited substitutions from a bench of three to five players. Squads of ten. Five on the sand at any one time, rolling substitutions.

Two referees officiate the match: Beach Soccer has definite strict laws on tackling and contact, as well as in-game conduct – swearing and heavy or sliding tackles all receive a red card!

The Game: Three periods of 12 minutes each, with three minute intervals between periods. No draws – if a game is tied then an overtime period of three minutes can be settled by a golden goal. If still tied, the teams take part in a penalty shoot out. If there is no golden goal in the extra time, it’s play to a conclusion and then sudden death penalties.

Free kicks: Any foul is rewarded with a free kick on goal and the opposing team is not allowed to form a wall. The fouled player must take the free kick.

Footwear and padding: No shoes allowed, nor shinpads, but ankle guards are permitted.

Throw ins: Throw ins can be taken from the sideline with either hands or feet.

Goal clearance: The goalkeepers take all clearances by using their hands.

So there it is – Beach Soccer laid out. Easy, fun, and exciting soccer action to be enjoyed throughout the summer!