The São Paulo Football League (SPFL) will host the Campeonato Paulista de Beach Flag Football on November 7 and 8 at Itararé Beach in São Vicente, located on the coast of São Paulo. The weekend competition features at least six categories: sub-12 mixed, sub-15 mixed, sub-17 female, sub-20 male, adult male, and adult female, with pre-registrations available via an online form.
Tournament Categories and Competition Format
Beach Flag Football is an adaptation of flag football played on sand, a discipline inspired by American football that is set to debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The sport is contested in a 4×4 format where each team fields four players alongside substitutes whose numbers vary according to competition regulations. Fields are smaller than traditional turf venues, generally measuring between 25 by 25 yards and 45 by 25 yards. Athletes compete barefoot while physical contact remains prohibited; defenders stop plays by pulling a ribbon attached to the ball carrier’s waist instead of tackling them. Matches are typically split into two 15-minute halves separated by a two-minute intermission, and teams may call timeouts limited to 60 seconds.
Rules of Play and Scoring Mechanics
Action begins when the center executes a snap to the quarterback, who holds a five-second window to throw or hand the ball to a teammate while defenders attempt to halt their advance. Blitzers or rushers on defense must line up at least five yards away from the line of scrimmage before rushing, while remaining defenders cover zones or play man-to-man defense to intercept passes without using physical blocks, shoves, tackles, or kicking maneuvers. Scoring is driven primarily by touchdowns worth six points for reaching the opponent’s end zone, followed by optional extra-point conversions worth one or two points depending on distance and rules.
Team Roles and Athlete Versatility
Because the 4×4 structure lacks heavier traditional linemen, offensive players including wide receivers, running backs, and centers can all run receiving routes. Defensive units deploy blitzers alongside linebackers protecting against short passes and runs, plus defensive backs and safeties playing deep to prevent long-scoring plays. This setup demands high versatility, as athletes frequently cross over between offensive and defensive duties, requiring speed, agility, strategy, and physical endurance to manage the added strain of running and changing direction on sand.
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