Table Football Rules

Table football, also known as Foosball is a game played with a special table that uses rows of five plastic and rubber "players" that are controlled by bars to shoot a ball into a goal at either side of the field, similar to soccer. If you have recently purchased a table football table, or are headed to your local bar to get a game in, there are a few rules of the game to keep in mind to make sure everyone has fun.

Game Start

A coin toss can determine which team plays first. The winner of the coin toss gets possession of the ball first and either "serves" it through a ball opening in the side of the table, or places it in front of one of the players in the center on the table. The serving player should always confirm that the opposing player is ready for game play to start before serving the ball.

Game Play

Once served, a player must pass the ball successfully from one bar to another before scoring. If a player scores when he serves the ball, without passing it first, then the goal does not count and the ball must be served again. The player who scores a goal also gets to serve the next ball. Should a ball bounce out of the court or get stuck, game play resumes from the area closest to where the ball caused it to stop.

Scoring

Game play lasts until a predetermined score, typically 10 to 14 is reached. A point is scored each time the ball enters the goal. A ball that bounces in and out of a goal counts as a goal. Goals that are shot by a player into her own goal count as a point for the other team.

Etiquette

Players can not spin the rods (turn then 360 degrees) during game play. Players can also not lift, kick or beat the table in such a way that it might alter game play or cause a disturbance to the other team.