Foosball
You score. They kick off.
Games to 5 goals, first to 3 games: Matchito keeps the score and knows who puts the ball back in play.
Score a gameOne goal, one tap.
Tap the color of the team that scored. Matchito gives the kick-off to the other one. Try it!
- Games to 5 goals
- 3 games to win
- Whoever concedes kicks off
- Pick foosball, and name the two teams.
- On every goal, tap the color of the team that scored it.
- At 5 goals, the game is won; at 3 games, the match ends.
The rules, in short.
What the International Table Soccer Federation’s rules say, and nothing more.
- 1
The goal
A goal is worth one point when the ball completely crosses the goal line. A ball that goes in and comes back out is still a goal.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 7.1.1 - 3/5
The format
A match is written “games / points.” In 3/5, the example in the rules, the first to 3 games wins, each game going to the first to 5 points.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, Definitions, “Format du match” (Match format) - Coin toss
The initial flip
A draw, usually a coin toss, opens the match. The winner chooses the first kick-off or the table side; the other team takes the remaining option.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 4 - Kick-off
Who kicks off
After each goal, the team that conceded puts the ball back in play, from the middle figure on the 5-rod.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, Definitions and 7.1.1 - 2
Time-outs
Each team has 2 time-outs per game, of up to 30 seconds.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 7.1.2 - 90 s
Breaks
Up to 5 seconds between points, 90 seconds between games. Between games, teams may switch sides when it’s allowed.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 7.1.1.1 and 7.1.1.2 - 360°
The spin
Spinning the rod more than a full turn to play the ball is illegal: the rules call it a “roulette” (spin). Your opponent gets the ball on their 5-rod, or chooses to play on from where the ball is.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 10 and 18 - 10 s
Possession
You may not hold the ball more than 10 seconds on the 5-rod, or more than 15 on the 3-rod or the defensive rods. If you do, it goes to your opponent.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 6
The goal, in one press.
One press per goal, on your watch or the three buttons on your earbuds: ⏮ for pink, ⏭ for yellow. ⏯ undoes the last goal.
The questions people ask.
How do you play foosball?
Two teams of one or two players, on either side of the table. A goal is worth one point, and the match is played in games, for example first to 3 games of 5 goals.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, Definitions and 7.1.1Does a goal that pops back out count?
Under the rules, a ball that goes in and comes back out is a goal like any other. Taking a goal away from the opponent for it (the French “gamelle”) is a bar rule, with no official standing.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 7.1.1How many goals is a game played to?
The format is written “games / points.” The example in the rules, 3/5, means first to 3 games of 5 goals each. Matchito starts from that.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, Definitions, “Format du match” (Match format)Who kicks off in foosball?
At the start, the team chosen by the winner of the coin toss. After that, always the team that just conceded the goal.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 4 and 7.1.1How many time-outs do you get?
2 per team per game, of up to 30 seconds. A time-out taken between games counts toward the next one.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 7.1.2What if the ball stops out of reach?
It is a dead ball. Between the two 5-rods, you kick off again. Behind a 5-rod, it is put back in play from the nearest defensive rods. Making the ball dead on purpose is a foul.
ITSF, Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, 2024 French translation, 7.2