Official Tournament & Basic Poster Foosball Rules For Anyone
If you want to become a pro at foosball, you have to know the official foosball rules. No, professional foosball is not just spinning the rods; it is much more than that. FYI, spinning the rods is an illegal move in professional foosball.
How to Play Foosball With Official Foosball Rules?
Some of the foosball table rules are simple and they force you to use your skills to score, but there are some rules which seem extra complicated when you read about them, but those rules you have to see to understand, something like baseball. There are many rules but they are all logical and you won’t need much time to remember each one of them.
So, let’s talk about professional foosball rules which you can use with your friends if you want to be better at foosball. For better understanding the rules I will divide them into categories. But, before I show you the rules I want to talk about a few most common confusions that are tied to foosball rods and scoring the ball.
Foosball Rules: Can You Spin The Rods?
You can spin the rods as long as you don’t make a full circle with them. It means that spinning the rod below 360° is legal and above 360° is illegal. There is one trick called snake-shot that allows you to spin the rod right below the 360°border and it is very simple to learn.
Foosball Rules: Ball Bounces Out of Goal
I am sure you have experienced that situation at least once in your life. Because it is a common thing when the ball enters the goal and bounces out it is considered a goal.
Also, at the end of this article, I have made a list of 20 foosball house rules you can use when you are playing with your friends and family. But, we will get to that, let’s take a look at official foosball rules.
Official Foosball Rules 2019
Foosball Match Start Rules
To start the match flip a coin – the team which has won can choose the side or the ball. The game starts the moment you the ball enters the field.
To serve the ball you have to say ready and the opponent has to repeat. After the ball is in the field it has to touch two players then you have to wait one second to shoot the ball.
Once the ball is in the field, the match can start.
The team who scored the last goals has the subsequent serve. The team who lost the game in the multi-game match has the first serve.
Ball In Play Rules
The ball is in play until one team scores declare timeout or hit the ball off the table.
If the ball hits any part of the table and enters the field again, the ball is still in play. If the ball hits anything off the table, it is considered as the ball off the table.
If the ball flies off the table, it is in play until it hits something away from the table. Do not touch the ball in the air.
If the ball completely stops and it says out of players reach it is a dead ball.
If the dead ball is between the five-man rods it will be put in the game by the team who served the ball.
If the dead ball occurs between the goal and the five-man rods it should be served at the two-man rods, on the nearest spot of the dead ball.
If the ball spins near the goal area and it is out of the reach it is not considered a dead ball. Both teams (and the time) should wait to see if the ball will stop spinning or enter a player’s reach.
If one team intentionally makes a dead ball, the ball goes to the other team.
Time-Out Rules
Both teams have 2 time-outs during the match when they can leave the table. Both time outs are 30 seconds long.
If the ball is in play, the team who has the ball can call time out, but if the ball is out both teams can call it.
If the game is played in doubles, the team may switch position during the time-out.
Players should have both hands on the rods while the ball is in play. But, a player can take one hand of the rods to wipe off before the shot and it should last 2-3 seconds. When he returns the hand on the rod, he must shoot after a 1-second break.
Both teams should be ready to start playing after 30 seconds or they will be charged with delay of game.
During time out, players can enter the field to lubricate the rods or clean the playfield. The player can pick up the ball only if the opponent agrees with it and he should put it in the same place.
After Time-Out Rules
The team with the ball must ask the opponents if they are ready before resuming the match.
If the time out is called after the goal and before the serve, the team who was scored upon has the serve.
Official Time-Out Rules
Official Time Out is not the same as the player’s time out.
If a Referee is not present at the table when the ball is stopped or dead, players can request it.
A team can’t switch positions during Official Time Out, only if they are entitled to do it.
An Official Time Out can be called for table maintenance if the table is compromised (broken or defective part of the table).
If a strange object falls on the field the match will be stopped until the object is removed.
The medical time out lasts 60 minutes and if the player is not able to continue the match, his time must forfeit the match.
The medical time out can be requested by the Tournament Director, the Head Official or the Referee.
Foosball Scoring Rules
The score is when the ball enters the goal by the legal move. If the ball enters the goal and returns on the playing surface are considered as a goal.
If there is a dispute whether the goal is scored, the Referee will decide with the information given by the spectators and players. If the information isn’t clear, the goal will not count.
Foosball Table Sides Rules
Teams have 90 seconds break until the next match when the match is over. If the teams agreed to switch sides after the first game, they should do it again. If they didn’t agree on that, they must stay on the same side.
If both teams want to resume the play before 90 seconds time, the play will continue earlier.
If one of the team is not ready after 90 seconds they will be charged with the delay of the game.
Rules for Spinning The Rods
First and the most important rule is NO SPINNING. Every move where you spin the rod for more than 360° is considered illegal.
If a player hits the ball with an illegal move, the opposite team will decide if they want to continue the match or serve the ball.
Spinning the rod where you don’t hit the ball is not illegal, but it may be ruled as a distraction.
If the player scores his own goal by spinning the rod, it will count as the goal for the opponents.
Foosball Jarring Rules
Banging the walls or moving the table to distract the opponent is considered a jarring infraction.
Bumping the wall as a part of the shot is not considered jarring unless it is made to prevent the opponent to gain possession.
Any touching of the opponent’s rods which makes him lose possession is considered a jarring infraction.
Slamming the rods on the side of the table to move the ball is considered illegal.
Table Appearance Rules
No changes on the table which can affect playing characteristics can be made.
Players mustn’t put any substance on their hand to clean the table (sweat, spit or other).
To clean the surface one has to use supplies approved by the Tournament Organizer.
If the player uses a substance to improve the grip it mustn’t apply it on the table. If the substance leaves residue on the handle, the player must clean it off immediately.
A player mustn’t leave anything on the rods which can affect their movement.
The match must begin with the brand new ball. Only if both teams agree to play the next match with the same ball, it can be allowed.
Foosball Passing Rules
The ball can stay in the same possession for 10 seconds on the five-man rod and 15 seconds on other rods.
The possession is changed when the ball leaves the current rod.
Rules for Reaching Into The Field
It is illegal to reach in the field while the ball is in play unless the opponent or the Referee is agreed with it.
The ball which stops spinning is the dead ball and it is not in the play. The player can touch the ball if the opponent or the Referee is agreed with it.
While the ball is not in play, the player may clean ball marks off the table.
Rules for Distraction
Any movement or sound away from the table can be considered as a distraction.
If a player believes he is being distracted, he can call a Referee.
Talking to the teammate while the ball is in play can be considered as a distraction.
If a player is moving the rod as a part of a fake is not considered as a distraction.
Remove the hand of the handle then shooting the ball is considered as a distraction.
If a player removes his hands off the table and reaches down (to wipe his hands) while the game is in play, is considered as a distraction.
Rules for Practice
Practice is permitted on any foosball table before the match starts.
No practices allowed after the match starts.
Any movement of the ball from one player to another or shooting the ball is considered as a practice.
Behavior And Language Rules
Comments directly or indirectly by a player are not allowed.
Calling the opposite team is not allowed.
Cursing is not allowed.
Coaching is allowed only during time outs and before/after the match.
Headphones, earbuds or other listening devices are not allowed while the ball is in play.
Passing Rules
A pinned ball on the five-man rod can’t be passed to the 3-man rod of the same team.
Changing the speed or direction of the ball from the front or back of the player prior to passing is considered an adjustment, which is illegal. Changing the speed or direction from the side of the player is legal.
On the five-man rod, the ball can strike the wall only two times. The third time the ball is awarded to the opponent.
It is legal to have only one hand on the rods when playing defense.
Dress Code Rules
Acceptable dress code should consist of warm-up jackets and pants, athletic shirts, sports T-shirts, polo shirts, athletic shorts, and athletic shoes.
Denim or jeans, tank tops, cargo pants, flip flops, sandals, and nonathletic shoes are prohibited.
Top players are required to wear patches on sleeves with their World Ranking written on it. Other players are encouraged to have the name of their country displayed.
Basic Foosball House Rules
Like I mentioned at the beginning of my post, I have prepared 20 basic rules you can use at home with your friends and family.
Foosball is a great game which can help you relax and which can provide you hours of fun. If you have a game room in your home, then I am absolutely sure you have a foosball table as well.
To avoid any dispute between teams I have gathered simplified foosball rules which are an awesome addition to any game room.
Toss a coin and choose heads or tail. The winner can choose the ball or the side.
Before serving the ball the player must ask the opponent if he is ready. The ball must touch two figurines and after 1 second, the game can begin.
The team who scored the last goal has the serve.
The ball is in play when it is moving across the field. If the ball hits the top of the table wall and enters the field, the game continues.
If the ball is airborne it is still considered as the ball in the game. The moment the ball touches a surface outside of the foosball table, the ball is considered dead ball.
Do not touch the flying ball until it touches a surface.
Dead ball is considered when the ball stops moving and it is out of reach for both teams.
Dead ball can be picked up and served by the same team who served before.
If the ball spins out of the reach it is not considered as a dead ball. You have to wait to see if it will stop or it will move to the player’s reach.
If the ball enters the goal and exits, it is considered as the goal. Every goal made by a legal move is considered as the goal.
You can score with every player in the field. If you score your own goal, the point goes to the other team.
The only time the score won’t count is the time a player makes an illegal move to score.
No spinning. If you spin the rod for more than 360° you are making an illegal move. The opposite team then decides to continue or to serve the ball.
Every movement of the table which can disturb the opponent is considered illegal.
The ball can stay in one’s possession for 10 seconds on the 5-man rod and 15 seconds on other rods.
Cursing and going wild is not allowed. Keep it civilized.
The team which scores 5 goals first is the winner.
Headphones and other listening devices aren’t allowed during the game.
Do not break any part of the table, including rods and players.
Rules are here to bring order during the match and if you want to keep the peace, use the rules during every match. The only thing you have to choose it detailed or shortened version of foosball rules and that depends on your foosball expertise. If you are looking for a foosball table, I suggest you take a look at my post because I have covered the best foosball tables in different categories. They are all made by different foosball table brands and they all come in different foosball table sizes and styles.
