Beach Soccer 4v4 with School Rules
Four-on-four games using basic beach soccer rules: lots of play in the air, goalkeepers throw to restart, bicycle kicks allowed only with no one close, and no walls on free kicks. Played on sand or grass, it builds lofted passing, control and quick play in a small space.
How to play
- Set up 3 fields of 25 x 15 m (80 x 50 ft) on sand, grass or blacktop with small goals; form 6 teams of 4 and keep 1 student as a rotating referee.
- Take 3 minutes to explain the modified rules: the goalkeeper restarts with a throw, free kicks are taken with no wall, there is no offside and throw-ins can be by hand or foot.
- Spend 4 minutes on a partner lofted-pass drill: flick up to yourself and volley to your partner 8 m (25 ft) away.
- Play 4-minute games; every goal scored on a volley, a header or after an aerial flick counts double.
- After each game, teams rotate fields and the referee changes (3 rounds, about 15 minutes).
- Close with 2 minutes discussing which kind of pass worked best on this surface.
Rules
- No slide tackles or shoulder charges: defend on your feet.
- Bicycle or scissor kicks are only allowed with nobody within 2 m (6 ft).
- Free kicks are direct, with no wall, from the spot of the foul.
- On sand, play barefoot only if the area has been checked and cleaned; otherwise wear sneakers.
Variations
Easier
Use a foam ball and allow two touches before passing.
Standard
Four-on-four with goalkeepers and double-value aerial goals.
Harder
Goals only count after an aerial pass, and the keeper can't throw past midfield.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: create a protected zone near goal where nobody can take the ball away, or take the referee role.
- Visual impairment: use a ball with bells and shrink to 3-on-3.
- Mixed fitness: allow free substitutions every 2 minutes with one sub per team.
Learning goals
- Apply lofted passes and directional first touches on an unstable surface.
- Solve game situations in a small space with equal or extra numbers.
- Respect the modified rules and referee fairly.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soccer balls: 6
- small goals: 6
- cones: 12
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
If you don't have sand, the long jump pit works for a 2-on-2 mini game. Rake for debris before playing and water the sand if it gets dusty.
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