Learn Table Football Game: From Beginner to Pro in Foosball

Table football, also known as foosball or table soccer, is a table-top game that is loosely based on association football.[1] The aim of the game is to move the ball into the opponent's goal by manipulating rods which have figures attached. Although rules often vary by country and region when the game is played casually, at the competitive level table soccer is played according to a unified code.

table football game

Patents for similar table games date back as early as the 1890s in Spain, Europe. However, foosball's origins date to 1921, when Harold Searles Thornton from the United Kingdom patented the game as "Apparatus for playing a game of table football".[2][3]

Thornton invented a football game that people could play in their homes due to the popularity of association football in Europe.[citation needed] The game adopted the name foosball in the United States via German imports that called it "tischfußball" (lit. "table football").[4][5] Its design inspiration came from a box of matches.[3]

The Galician inventor Alejandro Finisterre patented his invention of table football, futbolín, in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. His version of the game is the one used in modern-day table football.[8]

The game was eventually brought to the United States in the 1950s by Lawrence Patterson, reaching its peak of popularity there in the 1970s, when it could be found in bars and pool halls everywhere throughout the country.[3]

In 2002, the International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) was established in France with the mission of promoting the game. The ITSF acts as an organising sports body, regulating international competitions and establishing the game with the International Olympic Committee and General Association of International Sport Federation.[3]

The following arrangement is common to ITSF competition tables,[12] though there are substantial variations, particularly in Spain and South America, where the Futbolín table model (or variants) is common and uses a different configuration. Looking from left to right on one side of the table, the configuration is usually as follows:

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Table football can be played by two individuals (singles), and also with four people (doubles), in which there are teams of two people on either side. In this scenario, one player usually controls the two defensive rows and the other team member uses the midfield and attack rows. In informal matches, three or four players per side are also common.

Table football is often played for fun in pubs, bars, workplaces, schools, and clubs with few rules. Table football is also played in official competitions organized by a number of national organizations, with highly evolved rules and regulations.

A vast number of different table types exist. As of 2019, there are 5 official ITSF table brands (Bonzini, Roberto Sport, Garlando, Tornado, Leonhart), which are involved in an ITSF World Cup and World Championships and which may host an ITSF World Series.[14] In the past, these brands also included Fireball, Eurosoccer and Tecball. Moreover, ITSF recognises additional brands for international and professional tournaments, namely Warrior, Fireball, Ullrich Sport, Rosengart and Guardian.

Several companies have created "luxury versions" of table football tables. There was a 7-metre table created by artist Maurizio Cattelan for a piece called Stadium. It takes 11 players to a side. Differences in the table types have great influence on the playing styles. Most European tables have one goalie whose movements are restricted to the goal area while they have corners that are sloped, while a minority of brands in America utilises 3 goalies and flat corners. Another major difference between table types is found in the balls, which can be made of wood (cork in the case of traditional French tables), various forms of plastic or rarely even marble and metal, varying the speed of shots a great deal, as well as the "grip" between the man and the ball and the ball and the playing surface.

The table football robot Foosbot is claimed to have been beaten by a human several times, but has been tested against expert players.[15][16] Yet another table football robot is under development by two students at the Technical University of Denmark. The robot uses a camera mounted above an ordinary table.[17]Another bot has been developed by two students at the EPFL in Switzerland.[18]

We've created a perfectly-sized table top game so it is portable enough to take anywhere. Play table top Fozzy Football at home on a coffee table, kitchen table or dining table. Or, take it with you to a picnic, the park, a barbeque or tailgate. And it looks great in a mancave!

Foosball is the classic indoor football game, which is also known as table football. This game makes sure that everybody can play Foosball without owning an actual table. This game has a two-player mode, so you can play Foosball against your friends or against the computer.

Table Football is an online sports game that we hand picked for Lagged.com. This is one of our favorite mobile sports games that we have to play. Simply click the big play button to start having fun. If you want more titles like this, then check out Ultimate Penalty Kick or Pool Soccer.To play even more free games, view our all time top games page.

Lagged is the best online games platform. Challenge your friends to thousands of different games that you can play on your pc, tablet or mobile device. Compete for high scores and achievements as you try to climb to the top of our global points leaderboard.

Our amazing selection of football tables come in a variety of styles to suit every home and outdoor space like your garden or patio. Come down to our Bristol showrooms to have a play on our tables for free.

For public spaces, such as bars, pubs and public clubs, commercial football tables are a great source of fun and income. We stock a range of commercial football tables fitted with coin mechanisms for public play, from all of the best manufacturers. These tables are designed to withstand the rigours of repeated use and make a great addition to any public space.

For those of you looking to put a table in your garden, garage or other unheated space, we have a wide range of outdoor football tables on sale. These tables are specially treated and constructed from weatherproof materials, so that they can endure the conditions of hot sun and freezing snow without rust or other damage. Outdoor football tables best suit anyone hoping to get some outdoor exercise.

We are the only retailer in the UK offering the different ITSF foosball tables used in official competitions around the world. Our comprehensive range of coin-operated and freeplay ITSF football tables includes tables from Garlando, Roberto Sport, Leonhart and Bonzini, all of which are used in ITSF competitions.

Our range of glass top football tables comes in a variety of different colours and finishes to match any space. All of our glass top football tables will provide protection against the elements, keep unwanted objects out of the playing area, and provide security for your table in a public setting. A glass top football table can be an aesthetic or a practical choice; glass can be much more easily cleaned than the playing surface, so it's much easier to ensure that your table looks good all the time.

If you're looking for a hand-painted or engraved football table, our range of custom football tables is sure to have what you need. Whether you're looking to publicise a company logo, show off a personal design, or have your table covered in hand-crafted and unique art, we have options to suit your needs. Custom football tables make a fantastic centrepiece for your business, or just for showing off your designs or logo in your own space.

We understand with busy schedules, family life and work commitments not everyone can visit our showrooms. If you are unsure about any aspects of your new football table, just call the team who will happily help you over the phone. We will give you all the advice you need, and we will never misrepresent an item just to get a sale. You can trust us to offer you honest advice, all of the time, so that there are no unwanted surprises when your item is delivered.

Buying a football table can be a real investment, so let us make that easier for you. We offer Buy Now Pay Later and low interest payments (14.9% APR) on most of our tables, with no deposit to pay upfront and flexible payment terms (subject to acceptance). Please see our terms and conditions for more details.

We work hard to make sure your football table purchase is as stress-free as possible from start to finish, and having our own delivery service takes away a major headache that might occur with other retailers. Our football tables are collected directly from the manufacturer and transported straight to you by our expert delivery team, giving us full control over the process and ensuring your table is treated with the greatest of care before it gets to you.

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6th October 2022: The LEGO Group has revealed the ultimate global celebration of play with the launch of the new LEGO Ideas Table Football set. From the highs and lows of the goals to the cheers echoing throughout the stadium, football lovers can now build and play their favourite game with this exciting new fan-designed LEGO set.

The two-day event will feature the opportunity to compete in the ultimate LEGO Table Football competition, plus talks from inspiring speakers and the chance to get hands-on with LEGO bricks with an amazing mural and free building areas. In addition, Thierry Henry will be present at the event. For more information and tickets visit www.lego.com/table-football. 2b4c41e320