what is footvolley?
Soccer touch on a beach volleyball court. No hands. Born on the beaches of Rio in the 1960s.
where it comes from
In the 1960s, soccer was banned on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Players in Rio found a way around it: they took the beach volleyball courts, kept the net, and played with their feet instead.
What started as a workaround turned into one of the most technical beach sports in the world. You control, set and attack the ball with your feet, thighs, chest, shoulders and head, and you never touch it with your hands.
Today it's played in Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, the US and more. Here in California, BPC is building the game in the Bay Area and Corona del Mar.
how to play
- Court
- Beach volleyball court (9m × 9m per side)
- Players
- Usually 2v2
- Ball
- Footvolley or soccer ball (size 5)
- Net
- About 2.20m
- Allowed
- Feet, thighs, chest, shoulders, head
- Not allowed
- Hands or arms
good to know
Born in Rio
Created on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s.
Three touches
Like beach volleyball, each team gets up to three touches to send it back.
Soccer roots
A lot of Brazilian pros play footvolley in the off-season to sharpen their touch.
Sand training
Feet. Legs. Core. Shoulders. The first few sessions might humble you. Your body adapts.
Global game
Played across Brazil, Europe and the US, with a growing scene in California.
Addictive
You'll miss. You'll try again. Then you'll finally hit that touch, and suddenly you're obsessed.
ready to try it?
The best way to understand footvolley is to play it. No experience needed.
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