Foosball 101 > Techniques
Learn Proper Foosball Techniques
This article explains some of the important foosball techniques to make you a better player. Every advanced foosball player knows these very common best practices because they are required to master the game. Though these techniques may be common sense to some, rookie players will find that learning and practicing these techniques will help accelerate your game to new heights.
Learn to Stop or "Catch" the Foosball
One of the keys to foosball is catching because it allows you to maximize your amount of possessions and ball control. The key to catching is tilting your bar at an angle so you can cushion the ball from bouncing right off your man. It is ideal to tilt your man at about an angle of 35-40 degrees. The diagram below will show you how to do this properly. You can always test your angle by making sure a ball does not fit under your man when it is tilted. If you simply leave your men straight up and down, it is much harder to catch a foosball pass. Even if your men are tilted at the right angle to receive the pass, you may need to swing your man back around the other side of the ball in order to stop its momentum from rolling back to your opponent.
One of the keys to foosball is catching because it allows you to maximize your amount of possessions and ball control. The key to catching is tilting your bar at an angle so you can cushion the ball from bouncing right off your man. It is ideal to tilt your man at about an angle of 35-40 degrees. The diagram below will show you how to do this properly. You can always test your angle by making sure a ball does not fit under your man when it is tilted. If you simply leave your men straight up and down, it is much harder to catch a foosball pass. Even if your men are tilted at the right angle to receive the pass, you may need to swing your man back around the other side of the ball in order to stop its momentum from rolling back to your opponent.
Timing Can Be Everything
Don't think that just because you have the fastest foosball shots out of all of your friends that you can purely race them to the goal on every shot. You may be able to get away with this for a while but the second you become predictable is the second you may lose a game against a lesser opponent. Instead, use a technique of changing your timing before you take a shot. For instance, wait 5 seconds after your shot is set up the first time and then change it up by waiting only 2 seconds the next time. This technique is called, "Keeping your opponent honest" and will come in handy when you play the same players over and over.
Vary your Movements and Patterns
When playing defense against more advanced players, it is important to learn in order to alternate your defensive movements and patterns so you can distract your opponent and make your defense more unpredictable.
Don't think that just because you have the fastest foosball shots out of all of your friends that you can purely race them to the goal on every shot. You may be able to get away with this for a while but the second you become predictable is the second you may lose a game against a lesser opponent. Instead, use a technique of changing your timing before you take a shot. For instance, wait 5 seconds after your shot is set up the first time and then change it up by waiting only 2 seconds the next time. This technique is called, "Keeping your opponent honest" and will come in handy when you play the same players over and over.
Vary your Movements and Patterns
When playing defense against more advanced players, it is important to learn in order to alternate your defensive movements and patterns so you can distract your opponent and make your defense more unpredictable.
