The Copa Cabana Beach Soccer Tournament, organized by Beach Soccer Promotions LLC, boasts thrilling sand-filled action that captivates players and spectators alike. This exhilarating event showcases a unique blend of skill, teamwork, and strategic finesse, all while embracing the sun, sand, and sea breeze. To ensure fair play and a seamless tournament experience, the Copa Cabana Beach Soccer Tournament enforces a set of main rules that govern the competition. Here’s a closer look at these rules that define the essence of this dynamic sporting extravaganza.
Rules
Substitutions:
- Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time, whether the ball is in play or not;
- Substitutions must take place in the substitution zone;
- Players must exit the field before substitutes can enter via the substitution zone;
- Substitution infraction leads to a free kick from the spot of the ball/player or center of the pitch.
Dropped Ball Restart:
- Goals cannot be scored directly from a dropped ball;
- The ball is in play when it touches the sand/ground;
- The ball is dropped to one player;
- The drop location depends on the team that last touched the ball OR the defending goalkeeper if in the penalty area.
Goalkeeper Rules:
- Goalkeepers cannot score a goal directly by throwing the ball into an opponent’s goal;
- Goalkeepers cannot release the ball from their hands and kick it before it touches the sand/ground;
- No punting is allowed;
- Goalkeepers may not deliberately touch the ball with hand or arm when it’s returned to them by a teammate a second consecutive time without the ball having touched an opponent;
- Goalkeepers cannot touch the ball after returning to the penalty area from playing it outside the penalty area.
Offside:
- There are no offside offenses in beach soccer;
- “Four (4) Second Rule”:
- A team can possess the ball in their own penalty area for a maximum of four (4) seconds;
- Goalkeepers cannot possess the ball in their own half of the pitch for more than four (4) seconds.
Player/Substitute Send-Off (Red Card):
- A sent-off player cannot reenter the game and must leave the field vicinity;
- After two minutes or if the team with more players scores a goal, a substitute may replace the sent-off player;
- The two-minute time with reduced players carries over between periods;
- If a substitute is sent off during the substitution procedure or while on the bench, the number of players is not reduced.
Free Kicks (FK):
- A goal can be scored directly from a free kick against an opponent;
- The fouled player must take the kick unless injured and substituted;
- Kicker has four (4) seconds to put the ball in play;
- Opponents must be five (5m) meters away from the ball;
- Specific rules for free kicks from opponent’s half and own half (“Cone”).
Penalty Kicks:
- Penalty kicks are awarded for penal fouls committed by an opponent in their own penalty area;
- A goal can be scored directly from a penalty kick;
- All players except the kicker and opposing goalkeeper must be 5 meters from the ball.
Throw-in/Kick-in Restarts:
- When the ball goes over the touch line, a throw-in or kick-in is awarded to the opponent;
- A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in/kick-in;
- Opponents must be five (5m) meters away from the ball;
- Kicker/thrower cannot touch the ball a second time.
Goal Clearance:
- A goal clearance is taken by the goalkeeper when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by an offensive player;
- A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal clearance.
Corner Kick:
- A corner kick is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, last touched by a defensive player;
- A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick;
- Opponents must be five (5m) meters away from the imaginary corner arc;
- Kicker has four (4) seconds to put the ball in play.
The Copa Cabana Soccer Showcase: Venue and Date Revealed!
| Venue & Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Long Beach – Feb 11, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Port Hueneme/Oxnard – Feb 25, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Huntington Beach – March 18, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Zuma Beach Malibu – March 25, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Port Hueneme/Oxnard – Apr 8, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Huntington Beach – Apr 22, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Long Beach – May 13, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer |
| Pismo/Grover Beach – June 3, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Huntington Beach – June 10, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Port Hueneme/Oxnard – June 24, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Port Hueneme/Oxnard – July 15, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Long Beach – July 29, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Long Beach Belmont Shores – Aug 19, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Long Beach – Nov 18, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
| Huntington Beach – Dec 9, 2023 | One Day Youth/Adult/ProAm Beach Soccer Tournament |
Conclusion
In essence, the Copa Cabana Beach Soccer Tournament embraces its unique blend of athleticism and beachside allure by enforcing a comprehensive set of rules. From player registration to tiebreakers and conduct expectations, these rules maintain the integrity of the tournament, ensuring a thrilling and fair competition for all participants. As the sun sets over the sand and the waves crash in the distance, the Copa Cabana Beach Soccer Tournament showcases the very best of beach soccer in a spirited and unforgettable manner.