Elite data analysis reveals the true demands of beach soccer, based on research led by Rui Marcelino (FPF)
Beach soccer has long been celebrated for its flair, freedom, and festival atmosphere. But beneath the acrobatics lies the extraordinary physical demand of the sport.
A landmark study led by Rui Marcelino exposes the extreme intensity hidden beneath the spectacle.
A recent study led by Rui Marcelino reveals beach soccer is not a lighter version of football — it is a completely different performance model of exceptional physical demands operating at high intensity throughout matches.
Sand significantly reduces movement efficiency, increases metabolic cost, alters biomechanics, and demands greater muscle activation and stabilization on every action.
Intensity Over Distance: The Performance Model
Unlike 11-a-side football, performance here is driven by repeated high-intensity efforts rather than total distance.
Players cover shorter distances but with explosive actions, higher relative intensity, and shorter recovery windows. The RHIE paradigm dictates the game.
Position-Specific Demands
Physical loads vary sharply by role.
- Goalkeepers face explosive dives, sand footwork, and extreme power demands.
- Defenders & wings handle repeated accelerations, decelerations under fatigue, and high-velocity changes.
- Pivots & forwards require powerful vertical take-offs, aerial duels, and absorbing heavy contact.
Critical Training Implications: Position-specific HIIT, strength & power blocks, sand-specific drills, and individualised thresholds.
Implications for the Modern Game
Training must evolve beyond traditional models. Performance analysis must focus on intensity bursts, speed zones, and work-to-rest ratios. Player development needs structured, data-driven pathways adapted to sand-based demands.
Despite global growth, beach soccer remains under-analysed. Studies like Marcelino’s help close the gap, redefining the sport as demanding, specialised, and scientifically complex.
Based on the study: “The physical demands of beach soccer: Analysis of distance covered and speed profiles of elite men players during match play” by Rui Marcelino, Júlio A. Costa, Joao Brito. Published in Football Studies (2026).
Credit: fpf
