Foosball Tables > Features
Foosball Table Features
Foosball Table Qualities and Features
The list below, in our opinion, are must have table characteristics when you are shopping for a model with quality parts. If you are looking to make a purchase and take the game seriously, there are certain components you need in your table design in order to properly learn the game at a high level and complete complex shots. Cheaper tables are impossible to learn ball control, passing and shooting techniques required to become a serious player. This list is not for anyone looking to purchase a toy for kids as those models will come with cheaper components. Use this as set of requirements in order to rank the best models in our table reviews section. It is also a good ranking criteria so you know what you should spend your money on and where some manufacturers decide to cut corners to reduce their costs.
The list below, in our opinion, are must have table characteristics when you are shopping for a model with quality parts. If you are looking to make a purchase and take the game seriously, there are certain components you need in your table design in order to properly learn the game at a high level and complete complex shots. Cheaper tables are impossible to learn ball control, passing and shooting techniques required to become a serious player. This list is not for anyone looking to purchase a toy for kids as those models will come with cheaper components. Use this as set of requirements in order to rank the best models in our table reviews section. It is also a good ranking criteria so you know what you should spend your money on and where some manufacturers decide to cut corners to reduce their costs.
Heavy table weight of about 200 pounds or more and thick side rails of 1 1/2 inches
This will make your table more stable during heavy play and make for a higher durability. The thicker quality of the cabinet design will ensure consistency when the ball bounces around the table and you will be able to learn bank shots. Thinner and lighter tables will begin to flake around the goal posts after a year or two because of wear and tear from shots. Light models are also annoying because they will shift position during game play and you will constantly have to level your table.
This will make your table more stable during heavy play and make for a higher durability. The thicker quality of the cabinet design will ensure consistency when the ball bounces around the table and you will be able to learn bank shots. Thinner and lighter tables will begin to flake around the goal posts after a year or two because of wear and tear from shots. Light models are also annoying because they will shift position during game play and you will constantly have to level your table.
Foosball men that do not have rounded, slick toes
You want to look for a model with men that have a pointed toe and a cross-hatching design on the foot that allows for better ball control. This cross-hatch will look like little ridges or teeth along the bottom of the foot that will help improve ball control. This will allow you to catch the foosball and pin the ball down for advanced shots like the snake shot. The traditional man that has a round, slick toe design does not allow you to pass the ball to players back and forth on the same rod and is not conducive to shooting bank shots. Bank shots require a sharp edge on the man's toe because you need to hit the ball off the side at a sharp angle in order to hit a crisp bank shot.
You want to look for a model with men that have a pointed toe and a cross-hatching design on the foot that allows for better ball control. This cross-hatch will look like little ridges or teeth along the bottom of the foot that will help improve ball control. This will allow you to catch the foosball and pin the ball down for advanced shots like the snake shot. The traditional man that has a round, slick toe design does not allow you to pass the ball to players back and forth on the same rod and is not conducive to shooting bank shots. Bank shots require a sharp edge on the man's toe because you need to hit the ball off the side at a sharp angle in order to hit a crisp bank shot.
|
Traditional Foosball Man
|
Modern Foosball Man
|
Counterbalanced or counterweighted men
Counterbalanced or counterweighted foosball men is a feature you see in some of the higher-end tables and is a must have in our opinion. Counterbalanced mean there is a weight in the head of the man equal to the weight of the toe. If your table does not have a weight in the head, there is no way to keep the men positioned horizontally without holding the rod. This is very frustrating when you are playing a one-on-one game because you need to raise the men up front out of the way so they don't block your shots from the back. When you are on defense you will have to rotate your men all the way upside down vertically because the weight in the feet will make them fall down if you have them horizontal. Then, they will constantly fall down and you will notice the heads of your own men will block your shots that have a lift on them. With counterbalanced men, you will be able to rotate your men horizontally and they will stay in that position and at a height that is out of your way. The weight will also add a little bit of speed to your shots.
Counterbalanced or counterweighted foosball men is a feature you see in some of the higher-end tables and is a must have in our opinion. Counterbalanced mean there is a weight in the head of the man equal to the weight of the toe. If your table does not have a weight in the head, there is no way to keep the men positioned horizontally without holding the rod. This is very frustrating when you are playing a one-on-one game because you need to raise the men up front out of the way so they don't block your shots from the back. When you are on defense you will have to rotate your men all the way upside down vertically because the weight in the feet will make them fall down if you have them horizontal. Then, they will constantly fall down and you will notice the heads of your own men will block your shots that have a lift on them. With counterbalanced men, you will be able to rotate your men horizontally and they will stay in that position and at a height that is out of your way. The weight will also add a little bit of speed to your shots.
Solid steel rods with hollow interior
Rods make a huge impact on the style of play your table will have. Some manufacturers use cheap metals that are lightweight and will bend over time. Others may use some that are made of a solid steel, missing the extra step of hollowing out the center in order to reduce the weight. You want to make sure you find a model with hardened or reinforced steel, that has the center completely drilled out in order to make it lightweight. This will ensure a smooth glide that will stand the test of time.
Rods make a huge impact on the style of play your table will have. Some manufacturers use cheap metals that are lightweight and will bend over time. Others may use some that are made of a solid steel, missing the extra step of hollowing out the center in order to reduce the weight. You want to make sure you find a model with hardened or reinforced steel, that has the center completely drilled out in order to make it lightweight. This will ensure a smooth glide that will stand the test of time.
Octagon shape wooden or tacky plastic handles
Quality tables are made with an octagonal shape to allow for an ergonomic grip that allows for a better placement of your hand and more effective shooting. You want to look for a wooden material or a plastic that has a tacky feel to them as opposed to a rounded or slick handle that will cause your hand to slip and slide around. With plastic handles, you are more likely to have accidental spins or less effective shooting because your hand will slip loose from the rod. Just remember that much like other sports, you want to take advantage of each and every possession and maximize your opportunities to score points. These might seem like little details, but all the little details add up to make an overall impact on your game.
Quality tables are made with an octagonal shape to allow for an ergonomic grip that allows for a better placement of your hand and more effective shooting. You want to look for a wooden material or a plastic that has a tacky feel to them as opposed to a rounded or slick handle that will cause your hand to slip and slide around. With plastic handles, you are more likely to have accidental spins or less effective shooting because your hand will slip loose from the rod. Just remember that much like other sports, you want to take advantage of each and every possession and maximize your opportunities to score points. These might seem like little details, but all the little details add up to make an overall impact on your game.
|
Wooden Handle
|
Tacky Plastic Handle
|
Thick legs that have spinning, adjustable leg levelers
Make sure you don't overlook how important it is to have thick, beefy legs as they serve as a foundation for having a level table that doesn't shake around while the game is in play. Your legs should be tightly bolted on to the cabinet in order to avoid any wobble in the structure. Spinning, adjustable leg levelers at the bottom come on higher priced tables and allow you to spin them to adjust the height. You know how annoying it is to eat at a restaurant when you have a shaky table that isn't level? Imagine having to constantly use coasters or shims to level your table. It is worth it to buy the right model with this feature up front as opposed to dealing with this issue. A level foosball table, will make for a more competitive and fair game. Having a level playing field is ideal for all aspects of the game from the serve to passing or setting up your shots.
Make sure you don't overlook how important it is to have thick, beefy legs as they serve as a foundation for having a level table that doesn't shake around while the game is in play. Your legs should be tightly bolted on to the cabinet in order to avoid any wobble in the structure. Spinning, adjustable leg levelers at the bottom come on higher priced tables and allow you to spin them to adjust the height. You know how annoying it is to eat at a restaurant when you have a shaky table that isn't level? Imagine having to constantly use coasters or shims to level your table. It is worth it to buy the right model with this feature up front as opposed to dealing with this issue. A level foosball table, will make for a more competitive and fair game. Having a level playing field is ideal for all aspects of the game from the serve to passing or setting up your shots.
Ball returns on the side of the table
Side ball returns are not necessarily a deal breaker when it comes to having the right table because it does not affect the actual game play. This is more of a convenience factor that a lot of higher-end tables come equipped with. The ball returns that are at the end of the ball table are not as desirable due to 3 reasons: you cannot position your table close to the wall in your game room to keep it out of the way, you have to reach around to the side of the table when you are practicing foosball by yourself, and many end ball returns cause the ball to fall out on the floor. The side ball returns solve all 3 of these common problems and makes your table a little more user-friendly.
Side ball returns are not necessarily a deal breaker when it comes to having the right table because it does not affect the actual game play. This is more of a convenience factor that a lot of higher-end tables come equipped with. The ball returns that are at the end of the ball table are not as desirable due to 3 reasons: you cannot position your table close to the wall in your game room to keep it out of the way, you have to reach around to the side of the table when you are practicing foosball by yourself, and many end ball returns cause the ball to fall out on the floor. The side ball returns solve all 3 of these common problems and makes your table a little more user-friendly.
Tacky (sticky) foosballs
You want to find a ball that can be easily gripped or pinned down against the table with your men. You should stay away from balls made of plastic or with a slick, shiny finish. All tables over $500 come standard with good quality balls. However, the nice thing is this is one of the few foosball parts that is extremely easy and cheap to upgrade. Even if your table originally came with good quality tables, we recommend replacing them every year as they will wear down into a smooth finish and you won't even notice it because it happens slowly over time.
You want to find a ball that can be easily gripped or pinned down against the table with your men. You should stay away from balls made of plastic or with a slick, shiny finish. All tables over $500 come standard with good quality balls. However, the nice thing is this is one of the few foosball parts that is extremely easy and cheap to upgrade. Even if your table originally came with good quality tables, we recommend replacing them every year as they will wear down into a smooth finish and you won't even notice it because it happens slowly over time.
