1. Playing field
A. The playing field shall be approximately 30m x 15m.
B. The goals shall consist of two goalposts at each end of the playing field.
C. There are no behind posts.
D. The distance between the goalposts shall be two metres.
2. Teams
A. Teams shall consist of 7 players on the field, plus a minimum of 3 on the bench.
B. The 7 players on the field shall consist of 2 forwards, 3 midfielders and 2 defenders.
C. Interchange of players may take place at any time.
D. Mixed teams must have a minimum of 2 females.
3. Playing Time
2 x 12 minute halves.
4. Scoring
A. Any player may score for their team.
B. Goals are scored when the ball is handballed between the two goalposts.
C. The team with the most number of goals wins the match.
5. Start of Play
A. Each half shall be started by a jump ball between 2 players in the centre of the playing area.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. If a shot for goal is attempted, and missed, an opposition defender shall handball the ball back into play from between the two goalposts.
6. Out of Bounds
A. When the ball goes out of bounds, the nearest opponent shall handball the ball back into play.
B. If there is doubt as to which team forced the ball out of bounds, the umpire shall conduct a jump ball.
7. Contact
A. Beach Footy is a non-contact game and no tackling, charging, pushing, holding or bumping is allowed.
B. When a player is touched by an opponent, he/she has 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.
C. 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.
D. If a player has had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball when touched (e.g. trying to evade an opponent), it is holding the ball and a turnover will occur.
E. A legal touch can only occur between the shoulders and knees.
8. Ball Movement
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.
9. Play On
Players must play on at all times.
10. Possession
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.
11. Ball hitting the Ground
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.
12. Frees
A. The umpire can award a free handball against any player who charges, tackles, pushes, holds, bumps or deliberately breaks any other rule.
B. Players will be sent off for umpire abuse and/or rough play (yellow card).
C. Any incidents of aggressive rough play will result in a player’s immediate removal from the match (red card).