1. Playing field
1.1 The playing field is 30m x 15m.
1.2 A line known as the boundary line shall mark the boundary of the playing field.
1.3 The longer line shall be called the side line.
1.4 The shorter line shall be called the goal line.
1.5 The playing surface is sand.
1.6 The goals consist of two large orange cones at each end of the playing field.
1.7 The distance between the cones is two metres.
2. Teams
2.1 Teams consist of 5 players on the field, plus a minimum of 2 on the bench.
2.2 At the start of each half, players can line up anywhere on the playing field.
2.3 Interchange of players may take place at any time.
3. Playing Time
3.1 Each match shall consist of 2 x 12 minute halves, plus 2 minutes half time.
4. Scoring
4.1 Any player may score for their team.
4.2 Goals are scored when the ball is handballed between the two cones.
4.3 If the ball hits one of the cones and continues through the goals, it is a goal.
4.4 The team with the most number of goals wins the match.
5. Start of Play
5.1 Each half shall be started by a jump ball between 2 players in the centre of the playing field.
5.2 A player may not grab the ball at a jump ball and play on. They must knock or palm the ball (no punching is allowed) and cannot play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
5.3 After each goal, the team that was scored against shall restart play, by handballing the ball back into the playing field from directly in front of their goals.
5.4 If a shot for goal is attempted, and missed, an opposition defender shall handball the ball back into play from between the two cones.
6. Out of Bounds
6.1 When the ball goes out of bounds, anywhere along the side line, the nearest opponent shall handball the ball back into play.
6.2 When the ball goes out of bounds, anywhere along the goal line, the ball shall be brought back into play from between the goal posts.
6.3 If there is doubt as to which team forced the ball out of bounds along the side line, the umpire shall conduct a jump ball.
7. Contact
7.1 Beach Footy is a non-contact game and no tackling, charging, pushing, holding or bumping is allowed.
7.2 When a player is touched by an opponent, they have a maximum of 3 seconds to dispose of the ball. If the player fails to dispose of the ball within this period, possession will be awarded to the other team.
7.3 How much time the umpire allows a player to dispose of the ball depends on the circumstances and is solely at the discretion of the umpire.
7.4 If a player has had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball when touched, it is holding the ball and a turnover will occur.
8. Legitimate Touch
8.1 A legitimate touch occurs when a defending player touches the player in possession of the football, with one or two hands.
8.2 Touching with only a fingernail or one finger is not a legitimate touch, and the umpire will call “play on”.
8.3 If the only two people who can see the touch are you and Stevie Wonder, the umpire will call “play on”.
8.4 Grabbing a player’s jumper or shirt is not a legitimate touch, and the umpire will call “play on”.
8.5 A legitimate touch can only occur between the shoulders and knees.
8.6 The umpire is the sole judge of a touch and has the discretion to overrule a claim, so play to the whistle.
9. Ball Movement
9.1 The only ways to move the ball around the playing area is by either running with the ball or handballing to a teammate. Kicking or throwing the ball is not allowed.
10. Play On
10.1 Players must play on at all times.
11. Possession
11.1 Players are permitted to run a maximum of 5 metres with the ball, after which they must dispose of the ball by handballing to a teammate.
12. Ball hitting the Ground
12.1 At no stage is the ball permitted to touch the sand, the sole exception being jump balls, when it is permitted to pick up a loose ball. If the attacking team drops the ball, possession is awarded to the defensive team.
