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Foosball 101 > Foosball Rules

Official Foosball Rules

​There are many foosball rules for tournament play outlined in the International Table Soccer Federation (TSF) Foosball Rules. Most recreational players need to be aware of some of the basic rules in order to keep a fair and balanced game among their friends. It doesn't hurt to know all of the tournament rules so you aren't surprised by someone who might know them, but these common rules are ones that everyone should know and adhere to even at home.

Purchase the Hathaway Foosball Rules Wall Art so you can to keep these on hand in your game room any time you need to refer back to them.
The 6 basic foosball rules
  • Flip A Coin - A coin flip decides who serves the foosball to start the foosball game. After the first goal is scored, the rule is that the team who was last scored on gets to serve the next ball. This rule keeps the game fair for both opponents. The foosball must complete the ready protocol and opening sequence before it can be advanced or scored.
  • No Spinning - A spin is a rule for when the rod completes a 360 degree rotation without touching the ball. This is deemed an illegal move in the rules of foosball.
  • No Jarring - Jarring is a rule for when a player slams his or her rods against the wall of the foosball table in an attempt to distract or jar the foosball loose from the other player's possession. The rule is that there is no jarring allowed at any point during a game. This is not the same as when a player on the opposite team moves his or her foosball rods back and forth in an attempt to play defense. The key this rule is when a player hits the wall of the table with enough force to jar the ball or distract the opponent. That is why this is a subjective rule that may be called more strict by certain foosball player
  • Dead Balls - If a foosball stops in the middle of two opposing team rods, the ball must be picked up and reserved. The serve goes back to the team that was last scored on. If a dead ball occurs on the defensive side of the table behind the defensive 2 bar, the defensive player must move the ball back into playing position. This rule is in place so players don't cause a dead ball on purpose in order to force a reserve.  
  • Out of Play - If a ball comes off the table area or hits a top rail and comes back into the table area, the ball is ruled out of play and must be reserved by the team that was last scored on. 
  • 5 Bar Passing - These 5 bar passing rules are a little complex if you have never played tournament foosball. These passing rules do not apply to the other foosball rods, just the 5 bar. You are required to pass the ball within a 10 second time period from your 5 bar rod to the offensive 3 bar rod directly after a serve. After the initial serve, you then are allowed 15 seconds to pass from the 5 bar. A ball cannot be completely stopped on the 5 bar and passed forward to the 3 bar, it must be moving and touch 2 men on the 5 bar before being advanced. Additionally, the ball can only touch the wall a total of 2 times in a row (before touching a man again on the 5 bar) before being advanced. However, it can touch the ball a 3rd time if it is part of the pass.