The Game

Players attempt to use figures mounted on rotating bars to kick the foosball into the opponent's goal. A foosball may travel at speeds up to 75 mph in competition. Most of the time it is hard to even see the ball, it is more of a blur. The game requires quick reflexes with a delicate touch using the player's fine tuned motor skills, control and knowledge.

In foosball, the basics include 'throwing' the ball, or losing control of the ball when it is moving around; 'passing' the ball, where you have the ball in your possession with the one bar, and pass it to the other bars; and 'shooting', where you find a hole in the defence and move the balls into shooting position by shooting it.

A champion of champions is determined in foosball when one team scores a predetermined number of goals, say 3 or 11. A two goal victory is most often required. In competition, every ball that enters the goal is counted, unless the player or players on the scoring team broke a rule during the play. Large events have referees that determine the infractions and penalties.

A foosball table can vary in size, but is typically about 4 ft long and 2 ft wide. The table usually contains 8 rows of "foos-men", which are plastic, metal, wooden, or sometimes carbon-fibre figures mounted on vertical metal bars. Each team of 1, 2, or 3 human players controls 4 rows of foos-men.

Foosball is often played for fun in pubs, bars, workplaces, schools, and clubs with few rules. "House rules" often include a ban on spinning your foosmen, so one's hand must maintain continuous contact with the handle.

Foosball is also played in official competitions organised by a number of national organisations. An international organisation named ITSF (International Table Soccer Federation) was established in August 2002 to bring together all of them, as well as organising World Championships.

A vast number of different tables exist. The table brands used on the world tour and official ITSF tournaments are "French-style" Bonzini, "American-style" Tornado, "Italian-style" Roberto-Sport, "Belgian-style" Eurosoccer. Other major brands include Kicker, Garlando, Löwen-Soccer, Warrior, Lehmacher, Leonheart and many more. There was also a 7-meter table created by artist Maurizio Cattelan for a piece called Stadium. It takes 11 players to a side.

Differences in the table types have great influence on the playing styles. Most tables have one goalie whose movements are restricted to the goal area. Other tables have three goalies, one in the centre and one in each corner to reach the ball so sloped corners aren't needed. Another major difference is found in the balls, which can be made of cork, plastic or even marble and metal, varying the speed of shots a great deal, as well as the "grip" between the man and the ball.

Foosball strategy varies greatly. With teams of one human each, it is impossible for each person to control all four rows of foosmen simultaneously. Some players keep the left hand always on the goalie or defencemen and move the right hand among the other three rows. More aggressive players may take up an attack with the offence and midfield, leaving the goalie unattended.

With practice, it is possible to learn very fast "set-piece" moves, including the "snake", "pull-shot" and "front-pin". The pull shot is where you position the ball near the top of the oppositions goal. Then you pull your bar, which moves the ball downwards, and you aim for the hole or corner that is no longer guarded. The snake and front-pin both involve pinning the ball, or clamping the ball with your men. That way one can sway either direction.