Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS)GLOBAL ASSOCIATION OF SAND SPORTS
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ASOCIACIÓN MUNDIAL DE DEPORTES DE ARENAASSOCIACIÓ MUNDIAL D'ESPORTS DE SORRA

AMSS = SPORTS ON SAND

Welcome to AMSS — The Global Home of Sand Sports.

Uniting communities, clubs, associations, destinations and partners to grow sports played on sand worldwide.

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ABOUT AMSS

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) is the international coordinating and development platform for sports played on sand. Our mission is to unite, support, develop, govern standards and promote sports played on sand worldwide. Our vision is to become the global home of sand sports. Our core values are about community, integrity, innovation, sustainability, inclusion, excellence.

MissionVisionHistoryGovernanceStrategic PlanFoundersAnnual ReportsConstitutionInternal RegulationsEthics

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WHO WE ARE

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) is the international coordinating and development platform for sports played on sand.

MISSION

To unite, support, develop, govern standards and promote sports played on sand worldwide.

VISION

To become the global home of sand sports.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

WHY AMSS?

AMSS is a global umbrella organization and development platform for sports played on sand, an ecosystem for sand sports.
AMSS role is not to compete nor duplicate work and mandate of existing federations but to unite all sports played on one surface - SAND.
Unlike sport-specific federations, AMSS connects multiple sand sports within a shared ecosystem focused on:* participation
* education
* sustainability
* community development
* tourism
* innovation

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) was created with a clear vision: to unite the world’s sand sports and establish a strong international platform for their collective development, recognition, and growth.Sand is not simply a surface on which sport is played. It is a unique athletic environment—one that challenges the body, develops fundamental movement qualities, and provides a powerful foundation for athletic excellence. Training and competing on sand can enhance balance, stability, coordination, proprioception, foot strength, and overall body control, while its naturally lower-impact characteristics provide valuable benefits for athlete development and long-term physical performance.Yet the potential of sand sports extends far beyond individual disciplines. Around the world, a diverse and growing range of sports share this extraordinary environment. By bringing them together under one international coordinating umbrella, the Association creates a unified voice and a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, innovation, athlete development, and global opportunity.Our purpose is to unlock the full potential of sand as a foundation for sport. We believe that greater cooperation between sand-based disciplines can accelerate their development, raise their international profile, open new pathways for athletes and organisations, and contribute to the evolution of sport itself.The Association exists to build bridges between sports, unite communities, and establish sand as a globally recognised platform for athletic development, sporting excellence, and the future growth of sport.

OUR GOALS

DEVELOP CLUBS - Provide resources and support
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BUILD COMMUNITIES - Focus on grassroots development
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GROW TOURISM - Destination partnerships
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CREATE EVENTS - From local festivals to international games
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SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY - Responsible development of sand sports
⸻LATEST NEWS
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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GLOBAL IMPACT VISION

Countries Engaged: 5+Founding Members: 25+Sports Represented: 10+Continents: 5Target Clubs by 2035: 5,000+

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AMSS GLOBAL STRUCTURE

CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATIONSNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONSREGIONAL ASSOCIATIONSCLUBS

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sand sports

AMSS objective is not to replace established federations already overseeing various modalities of sports played on sand but to act as a coordinating and development platform for all sports played on sand. We aim to work closely with federations and other associations to provide and enhance benefits for the sand sport movement.
In addition to already established sports on sand we recognize new modalities and emerging sand sports.

Altinha
Footvolley
Frescobol
Sandathlon
sand Athletics
sand Fitness
SAND FOOTBALL
SAND Frisbee
sand Handball
sand Korfball
sand rugby
sand slackline
sand Soccer
sand Tennis
sand Teqball
sand Volleyball
sand Yoga
emerging sand sports

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membership

We have developed a range of membership types and tiers that align with the sand sports ecosystem.

Membership CategoriesIndividualClubAssociationMunicipalityeducational institutionStrategic Partner

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start a club

Clubs-related templates and downloads. Contact us for more information if required.

how to start a clubClub Constitution TemplateClub BylawsMembership FormsSafeguarding PolicyBusiness Plan Template

Governance ToolkitClub AccreditationInsurance GuidanceEvent OrganizationFunding Opportunities

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create an association

Association-related templates and downloads. Contact us for more information if required.

Start a Regional AssociationStart a National AssociationStart a Continental ConfederationGovernance ResourcesConstitution TemplatesStrategic Planning

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CONTACT US

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EVENTS

CALENDARWORLD SAND SPORTS WEEKGLOBAL SAND SPORTS GAMESContinental GamesNational GamesRegional FestivalsCommunity EventsSAND SPORTS EXPO & FORUMINTERNATIONAL SAND SPORTS CONFERENCESAND SPORTS YOUTH SUMMIT

Send us your event details:
* Event title
* Location
* Date and time
* Sports modality

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WORLD SAND SPORTS WEEK

GamesForumExpoAwardsYouth SummitSustainability Summit

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AMSS ACADEMY

CoursesCertificationsWebinarsLearning LibraryGovernance EducationClub DevelopmentEvent ManagementVolunteer ManagementSustainabilitySafeguarding

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observatory

Global statistics related to the sand sports movements.

Participation DataGlobal RankingsEconomic ImpactTourism ImpactFacilitiesEventsCountriesResearchStatistics Dashboard

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DEVELOPMENT FUND

Global statistics related to the sand sports movements.

Club GrantsYouth GrantsWomen’s ProgramsEquipment GrantsInnovation GrantsApplicationsFunded ProjectsReports

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DESTINATIONS

Become a destination partner for the sand sports community.

Programs:Sand Sports Friendly CitiesSand Sports Friendly Hotels and ResortsSand Sports DestinationsHost City Program

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VOLUNTEERS

Become a volunteer for the sand sports community and events.

RegisterVolunteer opportunitiesTrainingRecognition

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club finder & directory

Find a sand sports club or a training facility. Add new club/centre.

Search:CountryCitySportsAccreditation Level

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facility finder & directory

Find a sand sports facility, courts or training centre. Add new facility.

Search:Beach facilitiesSand courtsTraining centresSports parks

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AMSS: TEMPLATE TO USE

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS)The Global Home of Sand SportsQuick Links:* About
* Membership
* Clubs
* Events
* Academy
* Observatory
* Development Fund
* Governance
* ContactLegal:* Constitution
* Internal Regulations
* Privacy Policy
* Code of EthicsSocial Media:* LinkedIn
* Instagram
* Facebook
* YouTube

AMSS: TEMPLATE TO USE

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Contact form

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Association Membership inquiry

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altinha

History

Altinha is a Brazilian sand sport and recreational activity that developed primarily on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Its name derives from the Portuguese expression associated with keeping the ball “high” or in the air. The activity grew from Brazil’s strong beach-football culture and the tradition of groups informally exchanging a football without allowing it to touch the ground.Unlike competitive football or footvolley, Altinha traditionally has no net, goals, or opposing sides. Participants form a circle and cooperate to maintain the ball in the air using football techniques while avoiding the use of the hands and arms.The activity became particularly associated with Rio de Janeiro’s beach culture, where it developed into both a social activity and an impressive demonstration of technical football ability. Skilled players incorporate headers, chest controls, volleys, acrobatic movements, and creative passes. Altinha is considered a foundation activity and exercise for sports such as footvolley and sand soccer.Today, Altinha represents an important example of a sand activity that combines sport, recreation, community participation, and Brazilian beach culture.

RULES

Traditional Altinha is cooperative rather than adversarial.Players generally form a circle on the sand and attempt to keep a football in the air for as long as possible without using their hands or arms.Players may typically use:* Feet
* Legs and thighs
* Chest
* Shoulders
* HeadThe ball should ideally be passed in a controlled manner that enables another participant to continue the sequence.Because Altinha developed primarily as an informal beach activity, there is no single universally applied international ruleset. Rules can therefore vary between recreational groups, organised demonstrations, competitions, and newly developed sporting formats.Competitive adaptations may introduce scoring based on consecutive contacts, accuracy, technical difficulty, time, group performance, or designated playing areas.

GOVERNING BODIES

Altinha does not currently operate under a single universally recognised international governing federation.Its development has largely taken place through beach communities, local sporting organisations, event organisers, athletes, clubs, and Brazilian sporting culture.This decentralised structure creates opportunities for future development of standardised recreational and competitive formats while preserving the social and cultural characteristics that distinguish Altinha from conventional competitive football disciplines.

HOW TO PLAY

Players stand in a circle or designated playing area and keep the ball airborne through controlled passes.The objective is generally cooperative: create a continuous sequence in which every participant contributes while preventing the ball from touching the sand.Successful Altinha requires:* Football technique
* Ball control
* Coordination
* Balance
* Spatial awareness
* Communication
* Creativity
* Cooperative playAdvanced participants frequently introduce acrobatic or technically difficult touches, making Altinha both an accessible recreational activity and a platform for highly skilled football expression.

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EVENTS

Altinha can be incorporated into:* Beach festivals
* Community sport programmes
* Skills competitions
* Demonstration events
* Football festivals
* Youth programmes
* Social tournaments
* Sand-sports festivals
* Technical challengesIts accessibility makes it particularly suitable for grassroots programmes and community-focused sand-sports events.

Related Sand Sports

Altinha has particularly strong connections with:* Footvolley — shares football-based ball control and Brazilian beach culture.
* Beach Soccer — shares football technique and movement on sand.
* Sand Football — provides a broader environment for football-based activities on sand.
* Frescobol — shares its Brazilian beach heritage and strong recreational culture.
* Sand Volleyball — shares the beach environment and emphasis on coordination and movement.

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sand athletics

History

Sand Athletics can be understood as the adaptation of traditional athletic activities—including running, sprinting, jumping, throwing, agility, and endurance disciplines—to natural or purpose-built sand environments.Running and physical competition on sand have existed for centuries as part of training, military preparation, recreation, and coastal sporting culture. More recently, beach races, dune running, sand sprints, jumping exercises, and functional athletic competitions have developed as organised sporting and fitness activities.Sand Athletics provides an opportunity to bring the fundamental movements of athletics into a different environment while creating formats particularly suited to beaches, sand arenas, festivals, training centres, and multidisciplinary sand-sports events.

RULES

Because Sand Athletics represents a broad category rather than one universally standardised sport, rules depend upon the discipline being contested.Possible events include:* Sand sprints
* Middle-distance races
* Endurance races
* Relays
* Shuttle runs
* Standing jumps
* Running jumps
* Throwing events
* Agility competitions
* Combined sand-athletics eventsDistances, equipment, lanes, timing systems, age categories, and competition procedures should be established clearly for each event.

GOVERNING BODIES

Traditional athletics is governed internationally by World Athletics and its national member federations.Dedicated Sand Athletics formats, however, may fall outside conventional stadium and road-athletics regulations and can be developed by sand-sports organisations, event promoters, clubs, municipalities, fitness organisations, and athletics bodies.Where conventional athletics disciplines are adapted to sand, organisers should clearly distinguish between officially recognised athletics events and independent sand-specific competition formats.

HOW TO PLAY

Participants compete in designated athletic disciplines performed entirely or predominantly on sand.Successful Sand Athletics requires:* Running efficiency
* Acceleration
* Balance
* Lower-body strength
* Cardiovascular endurance
* Coordination
* Power
* Stability
* Adaptability to unstable surfacesSand creates greater resistance than many conventional competition surfaces and therefore changes running mechanics, jumping performance, acceleration, and energy demands.

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EVENTS

Sand Athletics can include:* Beach sprint championships
* Sand running festivals
* Relay competitions
* Youth athletics programmes
* Combined sand-sports competitions
* Endurance races
* Club competitions
* Fitness festivals
* Community races

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Fitness — shares running, strength and conditioning elements.
* Beach Soccer — requires repeated sprinting and agility.
* Beach Handball — involves explosive running and jumping.
* Sand Rugby — requires acceleration, endurance, and power.
* Sand Volleyball — shares jumping and explosive movement.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sandathlon

History

Sandathlon has been created as a foundation sand sport for many sports played on sand. It is in its own a type of sand/fitness race with emphasis on everyday movements and activities to maintain fitspan and healthspan. The activities include running, sprinting, jumping, throwing, agility, balance and endurance exercises—to natural or purpose-built sand environments.Running and physical competition on sand have existed for centuries as part of training, military preparation, recreation, and coastal sporting culture. More recently, beach races, dune running, sand sprints, jumping exercises, and functional athletic competitions have developed as organised sporting and fitness activities.Sandathlon provides an opportunity to bring the fundamental movements and exercises into a different environment while creating formats particularly suited to beaches, sand arenas, festivals, training centres, and multidisciplinary sand-sports events.

RULES

Sandathlon is a new and emerging sand sport and the rules are being standardised. At the moment it is a fitness race on sand surface with running and exercise stations that include* Sand sprints
* Middle-distance races
* Shuttle runs
* Standing jumps
* Running jumps
* Throwing events
* Agility competitions
* Balance exercises
* Strength movementsDistances, equipment, lanes, timing systems, age categories, and competition procedures are being standarised.

GOVERNING BODIES

Sandathlon as an emerging sand sport discipline is governed internationally by AMSS and its continental and national member associations.

HOW TO PLAY

Participants compete in designated fitness race disciplines performed entirely or predominantly on sand.Successful Sandathlon requires:* Running efficiency
* Acceleration
* Balance
* Lower-body strength
* Cardiovascular endurance
* Coordination
* Power
* Stability
* Adaptability to unstable surfacesSand creates greater resistance than many conventional competition surfaces and therefore changes running mechanics, jumping performance, acceleration, and energy demands.

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EVENTS

Sandathlon can include:* Sandathlon Grand Games
* Sand sports festivals
* Youth programmes
* Combined sand-sports competitions
* Club competitions
* Fitness festivals
* Community races

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Fitness — shares running, strength and conditioning elements.
* Beach Soccer — requires repeated sprinting and agility.
* Beach Handball — involves explosive running and jumping.
* Sand Rugby — requires acceleration, endurance, and power.
* Sand Volleyball — shares jumping and explosive movement.

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sand fitness

History

Training on beaches and sand has long been used by athletes, military organisations, fitness communities, and recreational participants because the unstable surface creates distinctive physical demands.Sand Fitness has subsequently developed into a broad category encompassing functional training, running, strength and conditioning, circuit training, bodyweight exercise, obstacle formats, group fitness, and competitive fitness racing performed on sand.The discipline bridges organised sport, physical conditioning, recreation, wellness, and outdoor exercise.

RULES

Sand Fitness does not have one universal ruleset.Training or competition formats may incorporate:* Running
* Sprinting
* Crawling
* Carrying
* Lunges
* Squats
* Jumps
* Sandbags
* Kettlebells
* Bodyweight exercises
* Functional stations
* Agility exercisesCompetitive formats should specify distances, repetitions, loads, movement standards, penalties, divisions, and completion requirements.

GOVERNING BODIES

Sand Fitness is not currently governed globally as a single independent sport.Its activities overlap with functional fitness, personal training, athletics, strength and conditioning, obstacle racing, and recreational sport.This provides opportunities to establish recognised sand-specific training methodologies, instructor education, competition standards, and certification systems.

HOW TO PLAY

Participants complete individual exercises, circuits, races, or team challenges on sand.Successful Sand Fitness requires:* Cardiovascular fitness
* Muscular endurance
* Strength
* Mobility
* Balance
* Coordination
* Agility
* Mental resilienceFormats can range from accessible community sessions to demanding elite competitions.

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EVENTS

Potential formats include:* Sand fitness races
* Functional fitness competitions
* Beach boot camps
* Team challenges
* Corporate wellness events
* Fitness festivals
* Training camps
* Youth fitness programmes
* Masters competitions

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Athletics — shares running and explosive movement.
* Sand Yoga — complements training through mobility and recovery.
* Sand Soccer — provides high-intensity conditioning.
* Sand Rugby — shares strength, speed and endurance demands.
* Sand Volleyball — develops jumping ability and agility.

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FOOTVOLLEY

History

HISTORY
Footvolley originated on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the 1960s. The sport developed from informal beach games that combined football skills with the basic structure of volleyball, including a net and the requirement to send the ball over it without using the hands.Over time, footvolley evolved from a recreational beach activity into a highly technical and competitive sport. Its popularity spread throughout Brazil and subsequently to countries across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and other regions. Today, footvolley is recognised as one of the world’s leading hybrid sand sports, combining football technique, volleyball principles, exceptional coordination, and advanced ball control.For further information on the culture and development of footvolley in Rio de Janeiro, see Footvolley World.

RULES

Footvolley is generally played between two teams of two players on a sand court divided by a net. The objective is to return the ball over the net and land it within the opponent’s court, while preventing the opposing team from doing the same.Players may use permitted parts of the body—principally the feet, legs, chest, shoulders, and head—to control and return the ball. The hands and arms are not permitted. As in volleyball, a team must return the ball within a limited number of contacts, with the exact number and technical details depending on the ruleset and competition regulations being applied.Matches are normally played using a rally-scoring system, with points awarded on every rally. Court dimensions, net height, scoring format, service procedures, and competition formats may vary between governing bodies and events.For official competition regulations, players and organisers should consult the specific rules of the relevant governing body or event organiser.

GOVERNING BODIES

Footvolley has developed internationally through a combination of national associations, independent international organisations, event promoters, and regional sporting structures. Unlike sports with a single universally recognised global federation, footvolley has historically operated through a more diverse international governance landscape.National and regional organisations play an important role in establishing competition structures, developing athletes and officials, and organising national and international events. International bodies and specialist organisations have also contributed to the promotion and global expansion of the sport.As footvolley continues to develop internationally, the establishment of clear, coordinated governance structures remains an important part of its future growth, standardisation, and global recognition.

HOW TO PLAY

Footvolley is played on sand over a net, most commonly in a two-versus-two format.The game begins with a serve, after which teams attempt to control the ball and return it to the opposing side without using their hands or arms. Players use a combination of football techniques—including touches with the feet, thighs, chest, shoulders, and head—to keep the ball under control and construct an attack.Successful footvolley requires:* Exceptional ball control and touch
* Balance and body coordination
* Timing and spatial awareness
* Agility and movement on sand
* Communication and teamwork
* The ability to attack and defend using limited contactsThe sport is highly dynamic, with players constantly transitioning between receiving, setting, attacking, blocking, and defending. The sand adds a further physical dimension, requiring players to develop strong balance, stability, explosive movement, and efficient footwork.For an introduction to footvolley in its Brazilian beach environment, see Footvolley World.

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EVENTS

Footvolley is played through a wide range of events, including:* National championships
* International tournaments
* Professional and invitational competitions
* Continental and regional championships
* Beach sport festivals
* Exhibition and showcase events
* Grassroots and amateur tournamentsThe sport has a strong event culture, particularly in Brazil and other countries with established beach-sport communities. International competitions have helped expand the sport’s profile and provide opportunities for athletes to compete across national borders.For current footvolley activity, events, and international developments, see Footvolley World.

Related Sand Sports

Related Sand SportsFootvolley shares important technical, physical, and cultural connections with several other sand sports, including:* Beach Volleyball — shares the net, court structure, rally-based competition, and tactical principles.
* Beach Soccer — shares the football foundation, sand environment, and technical skills such as ball control and finishing.
* Sepak Takraw — shares the use of the feet, legs, body, and head to control a ball over a net, although it has different rules, equipment, court dimensions, and playing formats.
* Beach Tennis — shares the sand environment, net-based play, rapid reactions, and strong emphasis on coordination.
* Beach Handball — shares the beach environment, dynamic movement, and fast-paced competitive format.

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frescobol

History

Frescobol originated on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the mid-20th century and became an important part of Brazilian beach culture.The sport is played using solid or semi-solid paddles and a small rubber ball. Unlike most racket sports, traditional Frescobol is fundamentally cooperative: two or more participants attempt to sustain a rally rather than defeat one another.This cooperative philosophy helped distinguish Frescobol from tennis and other racket sports. Skilled players developed increasingly fast, controlled, and technically sophisticated exchanges involving attack, defence, placement, reflexes, and endurance.Frescobol subsequently spread beyond Brazil and can now be found recreationally and competitively in different parts of the world.

RULES

Traditional Frescobol involves two players exchanging a ball using paddles while attempting to prevent it from touching the ground.There is generally no net.Competitive formats may evaluate performance according to factors such as:* Number of successful exchanges
* Rally duration
* Speed
* Attack and defence
* Technical execution
* Consistency
* Ball controlRules differ considerably between organisations and competition formats, reflecting the sport’s development from an informal recreational activity.

GOVERNING BODIES

Frescobol is promoted through national organisations, clubs, specialist associations, event organisers, and local sporting communities.Its international governance remains more decentralised than that of globally standardised racket sports such as tennis.Further international coordination could support common rules, coaching standards, competition classifications, athlete pathways, and international events while respecting the sport’s Brazilian heritage.

HOW TO PLAY

Two players normally face each other at an appropriate distance and exchange the ball using paddles.Rather than attempting to make the opponent miss, each participant attempts to return a playable ball while maintaining the rhythm and quality of the rally.Successful Frescobol requires:* Hand-eye coordination
* Rapid reactions
* Paddle control
* Agility
* Endurance
* Cooperation
* Anticipation
* Controlled attacking and defensive techniqueThe sand surface adds additional physical demands and makes Frescobol particularly effective as a dynamic beach activity.

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EVENTS

Frescobol events may include:* National championships
* Regional competitions
* Beach festivals
* Rally competitions
* Speed challenges
* Technical demonstrations
* Amateur tournaments
* Community events
* International festivals

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Tennis — shares racket skills and movement on sand.
* Beach Tennis — combines racket play with a net and competitive scoring.
* Altinha — shares Brazilian beach heritage and cooperative recreational culture.
* Footvolley — shares Brazilian origins and technical beach-sport traditions.
* Sand Fitness — Frescobol provides an effective endurance and coordination activity.

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sand football

History

Football has been played informally on beaches and sandy areas almost as long as the modern game itself. Beaches throughout South America, Europe, Africa, and other coastal regions became natural environments for informal football because little infrastructure was required.Sand Football can be used as a broad term encompassing recreational and alternative football formats played on sand, while Beach Soccer refers more specifically to the internationally codified competitive discipline.Sand Football therefore provides significant scope for grassroots participation, training, small-sided games, youth development, recreational formats, and innovative football modalities.

RULES

Rules can vary according to the format.Games may involve:* 2v2
* 3v3
* 4v4
* 5v5
* Small-sided training formats
* Goalkeeper or goalkeeper-free formats
* Skills competitionsOrganisers may modify field dimensions, goals, match duration, substitutions, scoring, and restart procedures according to participant age and objectives.

GOVERNING BODIES

Conventional association football and internationally codified Beach Soccer operate within the global football structures headed by FIFA.Independent recreational Sand Football formats may also be organised by clubs, municipalities, schools, event organisations, and sand-sports bodies.

HOW TO PLAY

Two teams attempt to score by moving the ball into the opposing goal while playing on sand.Successful Sand Football requires:* Ball control
* Passing
* Shooting
* Agility
* Balance
* Tactical awareness
* Teamwork
* CreativityThe uneven sand surface encourages aerial play, close control, improvisation, and different movement patterns from grass football.

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EVENTS

* Recreational tournaments
* Youth competitions
* Small-sided championships
* Beach festivals
* Football camps
* Skills competitions
* Community leagues
* Multisport festivals

Related Sand Sports

* Beach Soccer — the principal codified competitive football discipline on sand.
* Footvolley — combines football technique with net-based play.
* Altinha — develops football control and cooperative technique.
* Sand Rugby — shares small-sided team competition.
* Sand Fitness — develops physical qualities applicable to football.

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sand frisbee

History

Flying-disc activities became internationally popular during the second half of the twentieth century, with beaches providing an ideal open environment for recreational disc throwing.Competitive disc sports subsequently developed multiple formats, including Ultimate and individual throwing disciplines. Beach Ultimate became a particularly significant sand-based team sport.The broader term Sand Frisbee can encompass recreational flying-disc games, skills activities, throwing competitions, and team formats performed on sand.

RULES

Rules depend on the particular format.Activities can include:* Beach Ultimate
* Distance throwing
* Accuracy competitions
* Catching challenges
* Freestyle
* Small-sided disc gamesBeach Ultimate involves teams attempting to advance a flying disc through passing and complete a pass within the opposing end zone.Players holding the disc cannot run with it.

GOVERNING BODIES

International flying-disc sports are represented by the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), which oversees internationally recognised disciplines including Ultimate.Independent recreational Sand Frisbee activities may operate outside formal competitive structures.

HOW TO PLAY

In team formats, players pass the disc between teammates while attempting to create space and advance toward a scoring area.Successful play requires:* Throwing accuracy
* Catching
* Agility
* Spatial awareness
* Communication
* Endurance
* Tactical movement
* CoordinationSand increases the physical challenge while providing an excellent environment for diving catches.

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EVENTS

* Beach Ultimate championships
* Flying-disc festivals
* Club competitions
* Recreational tournaments
* Youth programmes
* Throwing challenges
* Multisport beach festivals

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Rugby — shares end-zone concepts and continuous movement.
* Sand Handball — shares passing and spatial movement.
* Sand Football — shares team tactics and open-space play.
* Sand Fitness — complements physical preparation.
* Sand Athletics — shares sprinting and agility demands.

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sand handball

History

Handball adapted naturally to beaches as athletes and communities began transferring the fast-moving indoor game to sand.Beach Handball subsequently developed into a formally codified international discipline with specialised rules designed to encourage spectacular, creative, and fast-paced play.The sport has expanded internationally through national federations, continental competitions, world championships, youth programmes, and major multisport events.

RULES

Beach Handball is played by two teams on a sand court with goals at each end.Teams attempt to score by passing and throwing the ball into the opposing goal.The beach version introduces distinctive scoring principles that can reward spectacular actions such as specialised or creative shots, contributing to the sport’s dynamic identity.Matches are divided into sets, with specific procedures used to determine winners when required.

GOVERNING BODIES

Beach Handball is governed internationally by the International Handball Federation (IHF), working through continental and national handball federations.The IHF establishes official playing rules and organises major international competitions.

HOW TO PLAY

Players move the ball through passing, positioning, and attacking combinations before attempting to score.Successful Sand Handball requires:* Throwing accuracy
* Catching
* Jumping
* Agility
* Tactical awareness
* Teamwork
* Creativity
* Explosive movementThe sand encourages acrobatic attacking actions and creates demanding defensive and transitional movement.

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EVENTS

* World championships
* Continental championships
* National championships
* Youth competitions
* Beach games
* Club tournaments
* International invitational events

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Volleyball — shares explosive jumping and beach competition.
* Sand Football — shares small-sided tactical team play.
* Sand Rugby — shares rapid transitions and physical conditioning.
* Sand Fitness — provides complementary conditioning.
* Sand Athletics — develops sprinting and jumping capabilities.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand korfball

History

Korfball was created in the Netherlands in the early twentieth century as a mixed-gender team sport built around cooperation, movement, passing, and scoring through an elevated basket.Beach and sand adaptations subsequently provided opportunities to present the sport in smaller, faster, and more accessible formats suitable for outdoor events and multisport environments.Sand Korfball retains the fundamental cooperative and mixed-team philosophy of the parent sport while introducing the physical demands of movement on sand.

RULES

Teams attempt to score by throwing the ball through an elevated korf or basket.Players rely primarily on passing and movement rather than running while possessing the ball.Sand formats may use fewer players, smaller playing areas, and adapted match durations compared with traditional korfball.Specific competition regulations should therefore be established according to the applicable federation or event rules.

GOVERNING BODIES

Korfball is governed internationally by the International Korfball Federation (IKF).The IKF and its member organisations have promoted different formats of the sport, including beach-oriented adaptations.

HOW TO PLAY

Players create space through movement and passing before attempting a shot at the opposing korf.Successful Sand Korfball requires:* Passing accuracy
* Shooting
* Movement without the ball
* Coordination
* Communication
* Tactical awareness
* Balance
* Team cooperationIts mixed-team heritage makes korfball particularly relevant to inclusive sand-sports programmes.

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EVENTS

* Beach korfball tournaments
* Club competitions
* National events
* International demonstrations
* Youth programmes
* Mixed-team festivals
* Multisport events

Related Sand Sports

*Sand Handball — shares passing and positional team play.
* Sand Basketball adaptations — share shooting and space-creation principles.
* Sand Volleyball — shares mixed-team possibilities.
* Sand Frisbee — shares passing and off-ball movement.
* Sand Fitness — supports conditioning.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand rugby

History

Rugby has long been adapted to beaches and other informal environments through simplified, small-sided formats.Beach Rugby emerged as a fast, accessible version of rugby that requires less space and fewer players than conventional rugby union or rugby league. Various formats developed internationally, resulting in differences in contact rules, team sizes, field dimensions, and match structures.Sand Rugby can therefore encompass both established beach-rugby formats and recreational adaptations designed for different participant groups.

RULES

Teams attempt to advance the ball and score in the opposing scoring area.Depending upon the format, competitions may use:* Contact
* Reduced contact
* Touch
* TagTeam numbers, possession rules, tackles, restarts, field dimensions, and scoring procedures vary between competitions.

GOVERNING BODIES

International rugby union is governed by World Rugby.Beach and sand rugby are also organised through national rugby unions, clubs, specialist tournament organisers, and independent beach-rugby structures.Because multiple variants exist, organisers should identify the precise ruleset governing each competition.

HOW TO PLAY

Teams move the ball through running and passing while attempting to reach the opposing scoring area.Successful Sand Rugby requires:* Acceleration
* Agility
* Strength
* Passing
* Evasion
* Communication
* Endurance
* Tactical awarenessSmall fields and unstable sand create fast transitions and frequent player involvement.

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EVENTS

* Beach rugby tournaments
* International invitationals
* Club competitions
* Touch-rugby festivals
* Youth competitions
* Social tournaments
* Multisport beach events

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Football — shares small-sided territorial team competition.
* Sand Handball — shares passing and rapid transitions.
* Sand Frisbee — shares movement toward scoring zones.
* Sand Fitness — develops rugby-specific conditioning.
* Sand Athletics — supports sprint and power development.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand slackline

History

Slacklining developed from climbing culture, particularly among climbers practising balance on webbing suspended between anchor points.The activity subsequently expanded into parks, urban spaces, fitness environments, competitions, and beaches.Sand became an attractive environment because it offers open space and a relatively forgiving surface around appropriately installed lines. Sand Slackline can encompass recreational balance activities, training, tricklining, and structured competition.

RULES

Basic slacklining involves moving along a tensioned length of webbing without falling.Formats can include:* Walking
* Static balance
* Tricklining
* Timed crossings
* Technical challenges
* Freestyle routinesCompetitive rules vary depending upon the discipline and organising body.Safety requirements—including appropriate anchors, line tension, clearance zones, equipment inspection, and participant supervision—are essential.

GOVERNING BODIES

Slacklining is represented internationally through specialist organisations, national communities, clubs, and event structures.Governance and competitive recognition vary between disciplines and countries, meaning organisers should follow relevant technical and safety standards for the particular activity.

HOW TO PLAY

Participants mount the slackline and attempt to maintain balance while walking or performing controlled movements.Successful Sand Slackline requires:* Balance
* Core stability
* Concentration
* Coordination
* Postural control
* Patience
* ProprioceptionAdvanced athletes may incorporate turns, jumps, dynamic movements, and tricks.

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EVENTS

* Balance competitions
* Trickline competitions
* Beach festivals
* Demonstrations
* Community programmes
* Wellness events
* Youth activities
* Multisport festivals

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Yoga — shares balance, concentration, and body awareness.
* Sand Fitness — shares core stability and functional movement.
* Sand Athletics — benefits from balance and proprioception.
* Sand Volleyball — requires dynamic balance on sand.
* Sand Tennis — similarly requires rapid stabilisation.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand soccer

History

Sand Soccer, more commonly internationally recognised in its codified form as Beach Soccer, developed from informal football played on beaches, particularly in countries with strong coastal football cultures.Brazil played an especially important role in developing the identity and international popularity of the sport. Formal competition structures transformed informal beach football into a spectacular small-sided discipline characterised by aerial technique, frequent shots, acrobatic movements, and rapid transitions.The sport subsequently expanded worldwide and became integrated into international football structures.

RULES

Beach Soccer is played between two teams on a sand pitch with goals.The internationally recognised format uses specialised rules covering player numbers, substitutions, match periods, fouls, restarts, goalkeeper play, equipment, and disciplinary procedures.The absence of a hard playing surface significantly influences ball movement and encourages players to lift the ball from the sand and use aerial techniques.

GOVERNING BODIES

International Beach Soccer competition operates within the football structure of FIFA.Specialist organisations and national football associations have also played important roles in developing and promoting the discipline.

HOW TO PLAY

Teams attempt to score more goals than their opponents through passing, dribbling, shooting, aerial play, and coordinated defending.Successful Sand Soccer requires:* Ball control
* Shooting
* Aerial technique
* Agility
* Balance
* Tactical awareness
* Endurance
* CreativityBicycle kicks, volleys, lifted passes, and rapid transitions are particularly characteristic of high-level play.

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EVENTS

* FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
* Continental championships
* National championships
* Professional tournaments
* Club competitions
* Youth competitions
* Beach games
* Invitational tournaments

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Football — represents the broader family of football activities on sand.
* Footvolley — shares advanced football technique.
* Altinha — develops control and aerial football skills.
* Sand Rugby — shares small-sided team competition.
* Sand Fitness — supports conditioning and performance.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand tennis

History

Tennis-style games have long been adapted for beaches and recreational environments.Modern Beach Tennis emerged prominently in Italy before expanding internationally and becoming a recognised competitive racket discipline. It combines characteristics of tennis, volleyball, and badminton while being played on sand over an elevated net.The broader concept of Sand Tennis can include recognised Beach Tennis as well as developmental racket formats specifically designed for sand environments.

RULES

Beach Tennis is normally played in doubles, although other formats can be organised.Players use paddles or specialised rackets to strike a ball over a net.Unlike conventional tennis, the ball is played before it touches the ground. A successful shot landing within the opponent’s court wins the rally if it cannot be legally returned.Scoring is based on tennis-derived principles, subject to the applicable Beach Tennis rules.

GOVERNING BODIES

Beach Tennis is governed internationally within the structure of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).National tennis federations and specialist organisations support competitions, rankings, player development, and events.

HOW TO PLAY

Players serve the ball over the net and subsequently exchange volleys until one side wins the rally.Successful Sand Tennis requires:* Hand-eye coordination
* Volley technique
* Rapid reactions
* Agility
* Anticipation
* Court positioning
* Communication
* Explosive movementBecause the ball does not bounce, rallies demand continuous concentration and fast reactions.

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EVENTS

* World championships
* International tournaments
* Continental competitions
* National championships
* Professional circuits
* Club competitions
* Amateur events
* Youth tournaments

Related Sand Sports

* Frescobol — shares paddle skills and Brazilian beach culture.
* Sand Volleyball — shares court positioning and net-based play.
* Sand Badminton — shares racket and net principles.
* Footvolley — shares the sand court and net.
* Sand Fitness — develops movement and conditioning.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand Teqball

History

Teqball was developed in Hungary during the 2010s as a football-based sport played using a specially curved table.Its rapid international development led to multiple recreational and competitive adaptations. The table can be installed in outdoor environments, including beaches and sand-sports centres, allowing football-based technical play to be combined with the physical demands of sand.Sand Teqball therefore represents a natural environmental adaptation of Teqball rather than an entirely separate sporting tradition.

RULES

Players exchange a football across a curved Teqball table without using their hands or arms.Depending upon the format, matches can involve singles or doubles.Players use football techniques involving the feet, legs, chest, shoulders, and head while observing restrictions concerning contacts and repeated use of body parts under the applicable rules.

GOVERNING BODIES

International Teqball is governed by Fédération Internationale de Teqball (FITEQ).Where Teqball is played on sand, organisers should determine whether the competition follows standard FITEQ rules or a specifically adapted sand format.

HOW TO PLAY

Players serve and return the ball across the curved table using permitted football techniques.Successful Sand Teqball requires:* Precise ball control
* Coordination
* Balance
* Anticipation
* Football technique
* Tactical placement
* Flexibility
* Rapid movementPlaying on sand introduces additional balance and movement demands compared with conventional surfaces.

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EVENTS

* Teqball exhibitions
* Beach festivals
* Sand-sports competitions
* Club tournaments
* Skills competitions
* International showcases
* Youth programmes
* Multisport events

Related Sand Sports

* Footvolley — shares football technique and no-hands play.
* Altinha — shares controlled football exchanges.
* Sand Soccer — shares technical football foundations.
* Sand Tennis — shares an exchange-based competitive structure.
* Sand Fitness — complements physical preparation.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand volleyball

History

Volleyball was created in the United States in the late nineteenth century, while outdoor and beach adaptations developed during the early twentieth century.Beach Volleyball became particularly established in California and subsequently developed into a major professional and international sport.Over time, organised tours, national federations, international competitions, and Olympic inclusion transformed the beach discipline into one of the world’s most recognisable sand sports.Sand Volleyball can encompass official Beach Volleyball as well as recreational and alternative volleyball formats played on sand.

RULES

Official Beach Volleyball is normally played two versus two on a rectangular sand court divided by a net.Teams attempt to send the ball over the net and make it contact the opponent’s court while preventing the opposing team from doing the same.Each team is permitted a limited number of contacts before returning the ball.Matches use rally scoring and are normally contested over sets according to official competition rules.

GOVERNING BODIES

Volleyball and Beach Volleyball are governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).National federations and continental confederations administer competitions, athlete development, officiating, and domestic programmes.

HOW TO PLAY

A rally begins with a serve. Players then receive, set, attack, block, and defend while attempting to win each rally.Successful Sand Volleyball requires:* Serving
* Passing
* Setting
* Attacking
* Blocking
* Defensive movement
* Jumping ability
* CommunicationWith only two players covering the standard competitive court, elite Beach Volleyball places exceptional demands on all-round technical ability and tactical understanding.

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EVENTS

* Olympic Games
* World championships
* International tours
* Continental championships
* National championships
* Professional tournaments
* University competitions
* Youth competitions
* Amateur tournaments

Related Sand Sports

* Footvolley — shares the court, net, and rally structure.
* Sand Tennis — shares net-based play and rapid exchanges.
* Sand Handball — shares explosive beach movement.
* Sand Fitness — supports physical preparation.
* Sand Athletics — develops jumping, sprinting, and agility.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©

sand yoga

History

Yoga has a history extending thousands of years, originating in ancient India as a broad system involving physical practice, breathing, concentration, philosophy, and meditation.As modern yoga expanded internationally, practitioners increasingly brought yoga into outdoor environments including parks, mountains, resorts, and beaches.Beach and Sand Yoga developed naturally from this movement. Practising directly on sand introduces a connection with the natural environment while the unstable surface can alter balance, proprioception, and muscular engagement.Sand Yoga today occupies an intersection between physical activity, wellness, recreation, recovery, tourism, and outdoor lifestyle.

RULES

Unlike competitive sports, Sand Yoga does not generally operate according to scoring rules.Sessions may incorporate:* Asanas or physical postures
* Mobility exercises
* Balance exercises
* Breathing practices
* Meditation
* Relaxation
* Recovery
* Flow sequencesPractices can be adapted according to participant experience, age, physical ability, environment, and programme objectives.

GOVERNING BODIES

Yoga does not operate through a single universally recognised international sports federation controlling all forms of practice.Numerous national and international organisations establish teacher-training standards, educational systems, professional qualifications, and particular schools or traditions.Sand Yoga is generally delivered through qualified instructors, wellness organisations, resorts, clubs, retreats, fitness facilities, and community programmes.

HOW TO PRACTICE

Participants perform yoga postures, movements, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques either directly on the sand or using an appropriate mat or platform.The sand can provide an unstable surface requiring additional muscular stabilisation while also creating a natural setting for mindful movement.Sand Yoga can support:* Mobility
* Flexibility
* Balance
* Body awareness
* Breathing control
* Recovery
* Relaxation
* ConcentrationSessions can range from gentle sunrise practices to physically demanding athletic flows.

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EVENTS

Sand Yoga can form part of:* Wellness retreats
* Sand-sports festivals
* Sunrise and sunset sessions
* Athlete recovery programmes
* Community wellness programmes
* Tourism experiences
* Corporate wellness programmes
* Yoga festivals
* Training camps

Related Sand Sports

* Sand Fitness — provides complementary strength and conditioning.
* Sand Slackline — shares balance, concentration, and proprioception.
* Sand Athletics — yoga can support mobility and recovery.
* Sand Volleyball — yoga can complement athlete mobility and recovery.
* Sand Tennis — yoga can support flexibility, stability, and recovery.

Association Mondiale des Sports de Sable (AMSS) All rights reserved 2025-28 ©