Foosball Rules & Regulations
Foosball, also known as table football or table soccer, is a table-top game created in Europe based on the sport of soccer. It is a mainstay in local community centers, game rooms and bars across the United States. Countries around the world play foosball tournaments and the United States Table Soccer Federation (USTSF) sponsors tournaments paying as much as $50,000 in prize money. The rules for competitive play remains stricter than you might remember when playing at your local pub.
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The Serve
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To serve the ball, the player places the ball in the serving hole on his side of the table. Neither player can have his hands in the playing area when the ball begins play. The server cannot serve the ball until both players are ready to start play. Neither of the players can strike the ball with one of his rods until the ball hits the surface and play then begins. Once the ball starts play, it remains in play until a point is scored, the ball is hit off the table, declared dead or a time out is called. Once the game has begun, the player scored against will serve the next ball.
Dead Ball
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When a ball leaves the playing surface and touches anything that is not a part of the table, it is declared dead. If a ball completely stops motion and is unreachable by any of the player's figures, it is declared dead. If the ball stops between the goal and two-man rods, one of the players places the ball in the corner and allows it to roll out to restart play. If the ball stops anywhere else on the table or leaves the table, the original server will re-serve the ball. A ball spinning in place is not a dead ball.
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Scoring Points
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A player scores a point when he places the ball in his opponent's goal. If the ball goes into the goal and bounces back out, it also scores a point and the serve is over. When the game ends, the players switch sides before beginning the next game.
Rule Infractions
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Spinning of the rods is illegal. When a player spins his rod more than 360 degrees, he is guilty of spinning the rods. If the spinning results in a goal, the goal is canceled and the ball returns to play under the dead ball rules. If the ball does not score a goal, the opposing player has the option of playing on or ordering a re-serve. Any jarring or moving of the table is illegal. If this occurs, the opposing player can ask for a re-serve, continue play or regain control of the ball from the rod when the infraction occurred. Reaching into the playing area while the ball is still moving is illegal. If the guilty player is in control, he loses possession of the ball. If he touches the ball when it is between his two-man rod and goal, the opposing player receives a point.
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References
- Photo Credit baby-foot image by Franco DI MEO from Fotolia.com
