The Rules of Foosball

There is no exact record of when the popular bar game foosball was invented, according to Dazadi.com. However, the general consensus is that this table soccer game was conceived simultaneously by inventors in France and Germany in the 1920s. Foosball has grown a great deal since then and rules for the game have been established by the United States Table Soccer Association.

Choosing Sides

Coin flips must be performed before the start of each match, according to the United States Table Soccer Association. The player that wins the coin flip gets to choose table side or first serve. After this player has made their decision, they may not change their mind.

Dead Ball

A ball is considered a dead ball when it has come to a complete stop and is not within the reach of any player on the table. If a dead ball is located between the goal and the first two-man rod, it will be placed back into play by releasing it from the nearest corner. If it dies between the two main rods, it will be put back into play by a serve from the team that originally served the ball. A ball that is spinning in place is not considered a dead ball until it comes to a complete stop.

Time Outs

In a foosball match, each team is allowed to take two timeouts, according to the United States Table Soccer Association. During these timeouts players are allowed to leave the table. Timeouts can last for a maximum of 30 seconds. Timeouts may only be called after goals and by the team that is in possession of the ball.

Goals

If a ball crosses the goal line only to enter back onto the playing surface it still counts as a goal.

Doubles Matches

In doubles matches, each player on a team may only control two rods, according to the United States Table Soccer Association. The only time these players can switch positions is after a point is scored.

Spinning Rods

Spinning of the rods is not allowed. The definition of spinning the rod is if the rotation of the rod goes more than 360 degrees before or after striking the ball.