How to Play Table Hockey

Table hockey game play is actually quite simple and straightforward, but plays, strategy and figurine technique can take years to master. Often confused with air hockey, another tabletop game, table or bubble hockey is played with figurines attached to long, rotating poles in slots that run up and down the tabletop hockey rink. The players on opposite sides of the table operate the poles to push a small plastic puck toward the opposing goal. Players generally follow the International Table Hockey Federation game rules or design individual household rules.

Instructions

1

Attach each player figurine to its appropriate peg. Each team must have a center, two wings, two defensemen and one goalie.

2

Secure each goal in its place, with the goalie standing guard. Secure the nets prior to attaching the goalies.

3

Line each center figurine up at the center face-off dot. All figurines must be lined up as close to their team's net as each figurine track allows. Drop the puck in the center of the face-off dot or activate the face-off puck ejector to begin play.

4

Count a goal only if the puck remains in the net. In-and-outs do not count as goals and the play continues.

5

Stop play when the puck comes to a full rest in a goalie's crease while touching the goal line. Resume play with a face-off. If the puck comes to a full stop in the crease without touching the goal line, the goalie must play the puck.

6

Tap down your figurines onto their pegs only when you have possession of the puck. If a player in possession of the puck notices a opponent's figurine off its peg, that player can request the opponent to tap down the figurine. Play resumes without a face off.

7

Stop play and begin with a face-off if table shaking occurs. Shaking and moving the figurines or puck by any means other than operating the handles is not allowed.