Comments on: How to Play Foosball

on 8/8/2006 Slap the ball with your forward rod when the goalie is trying to get the ball out of defense. Block it normally, 1 or 2 times (try to stop it - but do not slap it back).

Especially block the sides, so they feel the only way out is down the middle.

Wait until they are in front of goals trying to hit down the center, just as the kicker is about to follow through on their shot hit it back at them hard (preferably on a very slight angle so it avoids being blocked by the kicker and hopefully smashes into the goal).

You have to time the slap well - and predict where the ball is going to go. If the opponent only knows straight shots, then the task is easy. If they know angles you will need to watch what angles they are going to try for. You can tell by the position of the man relative to the position of the ball. Then swing through the line.

If you opponent has a habit of scoring from defense, then use this technique a lot to put psychological pressure on them - they will hit a lot softer because they are afraid of their power being used against them.

Try to use it when in front of goals. Slaps work best when you have an open goal and don't need too much angle.

This also works well from the 5 man in front of goal.You can slap both 3 and 5 man at the same time in case it goes past your 3 man. You should not swing your feet too high when you follow through on the slap back, as it leaves your defense open - you want to bring the man down to dead straight or slightly pointing forward, so if you mistime you are still blocking their shot.

on 8/8/2006 Before you switch to your goalie you should lift your offensive players 90 degrees. When you make a shoot the chances of the ball hitting a player will decrease and the chances of making a goal will increase.

on 3/29/2006 When you are using your forward rod, move the ball to the guy closest to you and drag it over. The opponent will then switch their forward guy, then you shoot. If you drag and shoot with the right timing, your chances of scoring will be much greater.

on 3/6/2006 When you are hitting the ball, hit it toward the side. If you keep it in the middle and your opponent gets it, it makes it easier for them to shoot and get a goal.

on 11/22/2005 True beginners spin the rods because it's the only way they can get any power on the ball. It takes some time to develop wrist power, however; spinning is illegal! Now, try this instead; cup the tips of your fingers and use the same motion as when spinning the rod only catch the handle in your cupped fingers, you will be able to soon hit the ball hard with impact and without spinning by using a technique known as the palm roll!

on 11/22/2005 For a beginner, ball control is very important. Practice when you are alone on a table by dribbling the ball back and forth between the figures, counting as you go to see how high you get before losing control of the ball. Do this on the two figure line, the five row and the three, and soon you will have much better basic control and abilities as far as catching moving balls.

on 11/22/2005 In order to remove reflexes from the equation, angle the men on your rod forward slightly to allow for an automatic kick back when the ball strikes your man.

on 11/22/2005 Place your index finger on the top of the ball, so that it's pinned in the hole. If you want the ball to go to the left, then simultaneously pull your finger back and to the right. Use the right amount of force (very little is required), it should spin just before hitting the opposite wall. This should make it go forward, then almost stop and then move to the left to your 5-man bar. If you want it to go left, move your finger left when pinning the ball.

on 11/22/2005 Passing is the key. Anyone can learn to shoot, but the game is won on the 5 rod. The most consistent pass is the brush pass. It is more of a sweeping across the ball move than an actual striking of the ball. Set the ball back on the rod as far as you can (while still being able to control the ball). Practice sweeping across the ball in a sidewards motion. This will cause the ball to move with a sidewards spin while moving forward.

on 11/22/2005 When you control the ball with an obvious advantage (for example, the center forward has the ball still), your opponent will have the best opportunity to block the shot. They will also be extremely tense. The rules say that you can't shake the table or spin other rods, but you can fake a shot by lunging, grunting, our yelling out. The defensive player's adrenaline will make them move their players instinctively. Immediately go for the downward wrist shot. Be sure you don't jiggle the table and lose control of the ball.

This will work for a few points, but your best plan is to to stagger it. Doing it every time will make your opponent wise to you. It is best to save this for the last points of the game.

on 11/22/2005 This is a bit of a cheat, but unless you establish some intricate rule against it, it can work to your favor.

When serving from the side cup, place your index finger on top of the ball. Point it towards your own goal area, and then flick your finger backwards as you serve. This will give it backspin, which will launch it directly into the opponent's defensive area.

on 11/22/2005 Always keep your right hand on the goal (if your goalie is on your left, use your left hand). It helps prevent those random shots from trickling in if you're ready with the goalie.

on 11/22/2005 Bank shots can make or break a game versus a difficult opponent, and learning how to shoot at angles is just as key as trying to hit hard through an opponents defense.

on 11/22/2005 You have a choice of different types of balls to use for foosball. Experiment with the different ones.