Rules for Air Hockey Table Game

Air hockey is often played as a recreational game. Many people don't realize the game is also a competitive sport with tournament competition. The United States Air Hockey Association oversees competitive air hockey in the United States. The USAA has official tournament rules for playing the game. Of course, players can adapt the rules for friendly games.

Equipment And Sides

Only one puck can be in play during an air hockey game. USAA approved pucks are in specific shades of yellow, green and red. Each player can only use one mallet--heavy round plastic pieces with handles used to hit the puck--during a game. The mallet cannot be sanded down to create an angle. Mallets must weigh 6 oz. or less. A player can stand anywhere on her side of the table as long as she does not cross the centerline. Players switch sides of the table after each game.

Serving

When a player scores, the opposing player has 10 seconds to remove the puck from the goal and serve. A player can only hand-serve a puck after it falls into his goal.

In Bounds

The boundaries of the game are the table surface, the table's inside rails, the goals and the mallets. When a puck touches anything else, it is out of bounds.

General Rules

Players may hit the puck with any part of the mallet. Players may not place the mallet directly on top of the puck. A player has seven seconds to make a shot from the moment the puck crosses onto his side of the centerline. Either player can hit a puck that is on the centerline. A player may not touch the puck with his clothes or any part of his body.

Scoring

Players play a seven-point game. A player receives one point for each goal scored on his opponent, unless the referee called a foul on the scoring player before or during the goal. A goal does not count if the referee suspends play right before the shot. A puck must tilt into the goal to count. A puck stuck horizontally in the goal does not count. Goals that rebound out of the goal do not count. A serving player can't score a goal by tossing the puck into the opponent's goal with a hand serve.

Time Out

Each player is allowed one time out per game. The time out may last 10 seconds or less. A player can only call a time out when she has possession of the puck or when play is suspended.

Fouls

When a player commits a foul, the opposing player gets to serve the puck. When a player commits a technical foul, the opposing player is allowed a free shot. Delaying or stalling a game results in a foul. A player who palms the puck when it is headed towards his goal is charged with "goal tending" and receives a technical foul. A player who loses control of his mallet commits a foul. Anytime a player hits the puck and it leaves the playing surface, the player receives a foul. A player receives a foul for reaching past the centerline. It is also illegal to place an entire mallet across the centerline and into the opponent's side of the table.