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What Is Foosball? How to Play the Great Game of Foosball
Updated: Nov 17
The indoor parlor sport known as foosball, table soccer or table football has been around longer than you might think. Some sources estimate that its beginnings go back more than a century. Its popularity is enduring, and it continues to gain new, eager fans year after year.
Despite its charm and the fact that it seems to be everywhere, many people can get confused about how to play foosball. They understand the basic look and feel of the table and rods, but the game itself doesn't always seem intuitive.
This guide will help you understand how to play foosball so you can confidently challenge family members and friends in your decked-out game room, courtesy of game tables from HB Home.
How Should a Foosball Table Be Set Up?
Once you have a foosball table, you don't want to spend hours getting it ready to play. Don't worry — the foosball setup is quick and easy. All you'll need is a screwdriver, hammer, level and an Allen key.
To set up foosball, you'll start by attaching the legs to the cabinet. It's easier to do this step while the table is upside down. After attaching the legs, you can apply the playing surface to the top of the foosball table. Now, you can use the level to ensure there are no slants that will disrupt the game.
Foosball tables typically come with leg levelers, so you can correct the surface if it's uneven. Insert the rods and players and ensure that players from the same team face the opposing goal. Finally, apply the handles and stoppers to prevent the rods from sliding out.
The Standard Foosball Table Size
Standard foosball tables are about 56 inches long and 30 inches wide with a height of 35 inches. To ensure your foosball table fits into your entertainment room comfortably, it's best to place it in a room at least 10 feet long and 8 feet wide. This suggested room size allows players to move around the table with ease.
The Foosball Table Layout
Let’s start by talking about the foosball table landscape. If you look at a foosball table from a bird’s eye view, you see a field that mimics a soccer field. That’s on purpose. There are goal zones and lines to help you get a sense of distance and perspective when you’re engaged in games.
Plastic or wooden “men” attached to rods hover just above the field. The men’s feet don’t actually touch the table. Instead, they hover just far enough so they can move the ball around the table horizontally, vertically and even diagonally with some banked shots.
Foosball Rods
As a foosball player, you stand on either of the long sides of the table. You are in charge of four rods. Each rod serves a particular purpose and can be manipulated by grasping a handle directly in front of you.
What are the four foosball rods? Two are meant for offensive playand two are meant for your defensive actions. In the middle is a five-man offensive bar and a three-man offensive bar. When worked together, they help you keep control of the ball and get it closer to your opponent's goal.
Your other two rods are a defensive three-man bar and a two-man bar. You use them to defend against your opponent's offensive moves. While they're positioned close together, you want to work them carefully to avoid giving your opponent a window of opportunity to get the ball into your goal.
The Foosball Ball
The foosball ball itself is big enough to be handled by the men on your rods. While every foosball table comes with a ball, you can find a variety of ball types on the internet. Some players like to experiment with different foosball balls made from materials like cork and plastic.
Occasionally, your foosball ball may end up flying off the table or getting a little dirty from constant play. Depending on the ball material, you should be able to wipe it off or clean it with hot, sudsy water so it moves effortlessly on the green table top.
The Objective of Foosball
Now that you know the basic elements of your foosball table, you want to know what the objective of the game is. Your objective is to get your foosball ball in the opponent’s goal. That’s about as basic as any game room classic gets! Usually, a foosball game is won by the side that gets five goals. A foosball match is determined by the best two out of three or three out of five games.
Of course, this is harder than it seems, especially if you’re not accustomed to moving and twisting four rods to keep the ball in your possession. Give yourself some time to figure out how to work all the rods together to get the results you want.
Foosball Players
It’s not unusual to see only two players at a foosball table, going at it like crazy to try to move the ball around the field. However, you don’t have to relegate yourself to only two people at a foosball table at one time.
Some players enjoy a four-person round of foosball. Two people are on either side of the table and each person is in charge of two rods. While this gives you the ability to concentrate on fewer elements of the game, you need to be able to work efficiently with your partner to keep the game going.
How to Play Foosball: The Essential Rules
There are a few elementary rules in foosball. The most important is not to spin the men on the rod more than 360 degrees before and after they make contact with the ball. In other words, you can't just keep spiraling the men around, hoping to hit the ball. Instead, you need to keep the men "standing" and not doing loops. This can be tough to master, especially when you're just getting started. If you spin the rod more than 360 degrees, your opponent can reserve the ball on their five-man rod.
Another foosball rule to know is that you're not allowed to distract your opponent by lifting or bumping the table. However, this may happen accidentally when someone spins the rods too hard and moves the table. If it does happen, you must return the ball to its last position — or your opponent may reserve it on their five-man rod.
Finally, don't take more than 10 seconds to set up and take your shots. You'll want to get the ball moving, whether it's up and down your rod or across the field of play on the foosball table. Taking too much time only halts the progress of the game and frustrates both players and watchers.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Now that you have a better idea of how to play foosball with others, put aside some time to practice this sport. And yes, foosball is a sport! It’s an indoor activity that can really get the cardio going as you move from rod to rod, figuring out which handle grip makes the most sense to get the goals you crave.
Shop HB Home for High-Quality Foosball Tables
Excited to get started on your foosball career? At Imperial, we offer foosball tables in various styles, so you can choose one that meets your home's interior decor. Give your entertainment space the perfect combination of fun and style. We provide more than table-style games — we create a space where your whole family can spend quality time together. Shop foosball tables and other games today to get started.