Table Football Tricks

Table football, also known as foosball, is a popular game featuring rows of "players" on single rods that can only move side to side. The rods are controlled by game players on opposite sides of the table, who try to move a ball around the table and into the opponent's goal. Once you are proficient in passing between your players, there are a few tricks that can make you an even better foosball player.

Dribble Shot

When the ball comes to your forwards, the row of players closest to the goal, "dribble" the ball from side to side before taking your shot. Use the bottom of each of your players to move the ball around until you are ready to take a hard shot. The point is to fake out the last row of defensive players in front of you.

Use the Sides

Think of the walls in a table football game as a sort of permanent and reliable teammate. When you have the ball in just about any section, dribble by rolling the ball from side to side to the player closest to the edge. Use that player to tap the ball lightly off the wall, beyond the line of defense in front of you, and hopefully to your next row of players. Once you become skilled at bouncing the ball off the walls you can use them to literally pass anywhere on the table, making your shots and offense very difficult to defend.

Full Table Chip Shot

The most spectacular table football chip shot has been immortalized on internet videos. By carefully pinching the ball between your goalie and one of your defenders, you can lift the ball into the air and balance it on the back or body of the actual defender. Once you have done this, which is no easy feat, toss the ball off the back of the defender and kick it just right with your goalie. With the right velocity, it should go directly into the opposing goal. It's an impressive trick, but isn't really possible, or legal, when you actually have an opponent playing against you.