How to Play Goalie in Foosball

Foosball is a great game for get-togethers and parties. One of the most difficult positions to play in foosball, however, is goalie. Here are some points on how you can improve your game as goalie in foosball.

Things You'll Need

• Foosball table and foosball
• At least 2 players (preferably 4 to 6)

Instructions

1. Get a feel for the foosball table. This especially includes the goalie stick, the goalie's location on stick and its relation to the rest of the table. Move the stick back and forth. Notice how easy or hard it moves back and forth. Also, get comfortable playing the goalie. Adjust your body where it works best for you to move the goalie around easily and avoid bumping into the player next to you.

2. Have someone take a few practice shots at you. This will help prepare your reflexes and instinctive reactions for the game. Remember which moves worked the best while blocking shots and use them during the game. Work on improving your hand-eye coordination during the practice.

3. Be alert from the moment the ball is dropped into the court. The ball can move very quickly from the center of the foosball table into the goal. It can be easy to be a little lax when playing goalie as soon as the ball is dropped in. But be ready, because the ball may be coming straight for your goal in a matter of seconds!

4. Keep your goalie in line with the ball at all times during the game. If a quick shot is taken, you may not have time to react quickly enough. However, if your goalie is already in line with the ball, and a shot is taken, then you are already in a position to block the ball. This works especially well when the "strikers" (offensive players immediately in front of your goalie) from the other team have the ball and are trying to score on you. Simply stay in front of the ball.

5. Watch out for angled shots. Some players may try bouncing the ball off the table wall on its way to the goal in an effort to throw the goalie off. Be ready for these shots and react with the ball. Move the goalie as needed in order to block the shot.

6. When the ball gets into your possession, pass it carefully. Goalies can and should play offense. But they have to be careful to not get their shot sent right back to them, and perhaps straight into the goal. Therefore, when you have the ball, try moving it from side to side to throw off the strikers in front of you. Then pass or shoot it when they are not in the path of the ball. Also, to avoid an accidental "slap-back" goal (a goal which was originally a pass from the goalie, but which was sent straight back into the goal by the striker directly in front of the goalie), kick the goal from the side of the goal, not directly in front of it.

7. Never give up. As a goalie, it can get easy to become discouraged and begin playing with less intensity when you allow a few goals. Always remember that your offense can make things happen just as fast, so don't give up. Keep blocking shots, passing and shooting the ball. And keep playing the game until it’s over.