Rules of Table Football

How to Start a Game of Table Football

a) The winner of the coin toss can choose the side of table OR first serve (kickoff).

b) The ball is placed at or under the foot of any 5-bar figure.

c) Play may only begin when the opponent has been asked and has agreed that they are ready.

d) The team with possession of the ball on the 5-bar at serve must make one 5-bar pass before taking a shot or passing to another bar.

i) If the server shoots and scores without making a 5-bar pass, that goal will not count, and the opponent reserves the ball.

ii) If, after the ball is stopped and opponent ready, the server loses control of the ball before making a 5-bar pass, the opponent has choice of continuing play from table position or re-serving the ball themselves.

e) Subsequent 5-bar kickoffs go to the player or team conceding a goal.

f) Where play is re-started from a 2-bar kickoff, the opponent must agree they are ready, and the player with possession must stop the ball for at least one second before passing or shooting.

g) The loser of the coin toss pays for the first game, with payment alternating thereafter.

h) After every game, players must change sides unless both teams agree otherwise.

Ball Off the Football Table

If the ball leaves the table the player with serve plays another 5-bar kickoff.

Dead Football Ball

a) If the ball goes dead between the 2-bar and nearest goal line, a kickoff is played from that 2-bar.

b) If the ball goes dead anywhere else, the player with serve plays another 5-bar kickoff.

c) On glass-topped tables where the glass cannot be removed:

i) A ball stopped in a dead point between opponents’ rods may be retrieved by lifting the table.

ii) The table should be lifted by the team further from the ball.

iii) Players must ensure the bars are fully pushed in before lifting the table.

iv) Play resumes when the ball is kicked off from the position designated in (a) or (b) above.

Goal

a) A goal may be scored with any player figure on any rod.

b) If the ball enters the goal and bounces out again, it counts as a goal.

c) A goal scored as a result of an infringement will not count.

d) If, following a breach of any rule, an “own goal” is scored by that player against him/herself, the goal will count against that offending player or team.

 Time Out and Change of Positions

a) Each team is allowed one time-out of up to 60 seconds per game. If a team illegally calls a second time out this will be treated as a distraction.

b) A time-out can be taken only after a goal is scored and before the next ball is served.

c) Play must be suspended at any time to allow table maintenance, or in case of injury or other medical condition.

i) If the ball is moving at the time of suspension the game will restart via a serve from the team with serve at the time the damage or injury occurred.

ii) If the ball is stopped at the time of suspension the game will restart from that table position. The ball must touch 2 players on the same rod (or within goal area) before play can resume.

d) Doubles teams may only switch positions when a goal has been scored and before the ball is re-served. To change grips a time out must be used, and must be changed within 60 seconds.

e) If a team changes places it cannot change back until another goal has been scored. Where both teams wish to change, the team with possession (due to serve) must choose positions first.

f) Teams are allowed a maximum of 1 minute between games to change grips during doubles matches, and 2 minutes in singles. Penalty for exceeding time limit is loss of time-out.

g) If a time out is taken between games, it will count towards the game about to be played.
 

Spinning

a) Spinning the rods is not allowed.

b) A spin occurs when the rod rotates more than 360 degrees immediately before hitting the ball, or immediately after hitting the ball.

These are the Basic Rules for playing Table Football