How to Play Foosball in Toronto
OFFICIAL RULES
GTA Foosball follows the International Table Soccer Federation (“ITSF”) Official Rules.
Match Rules
Just like all other sports, rules are needed to manage the intensity of the game. GTA Foosball follows the ITSF Official Rules. Some of the most important rules include the Ready Rule, Time Limits, and Jarring.
Hockey has a Faceoff, Soccer has Free-Kicks and Throw-Ins, and Foosball also has a way to begin possession during a match. Foosers use the “Ready Rule” to serve the ball.
The “Time Limits” rule dictates the maximum amount of time that a player can have possession of the ball on a rod.
When a player physically moves the table, affecting the opponent’s ability to make their intended play (catch a pass, hit a shot), they risk getting called for Jarring the ball.
Thanks to Unreal Foos for putting together a fantastic summary of the rules! If you’re new to competitive foosball, definitely check out this video where Zeke explains the rules that every Fooser should know.
The Ready Rule
Most sports have a rule for starting game play. In hockey there’s a face-off, soccer has kick-offs and throw-ins to put the puck or ball into play. Similar to tennis and volleyball, foosball also has a way to serve the ball.
Skip ahead to 3:27 in this Unreal Foos video
ITSF Rule 4. Serve and Ready Protocol
A serve is defined as putting the ball into play at the five-man rod at the beginning of a game, after a point is scored, or if the ball is awarded to a player on the five-man rod following a rules infraction. The ready protocol will be used whenever putting the ball into play.
4.1 The Serve
The serve shall begin with the ball stopped at the middle player figure of the five-man rod. The player serving the ball must then follow the ready protocol.
4.2 Ready Protocol
Before the ball can be put into play, the player in possession must ask the direct opponent if they are “ready”. The direct opponent has three seconds to respond “ready”. The player in possession now has three seconds to put the ball into play.
Time Limits
You know how in basketball there’s a shot clock? A limited amount of time that a team is allowed to have possession before making a play? In foosball, possession on each rod is restricted to keep the game moving.
Skip ahead to 23:40 in this Unreal Foos video
ITSF Rule 24. Time of Possession
Possession of the ball shall be limited to 10 seconds on the five-man rod and 15 seconds on all other rods. A player is considered to be in possession of the ball at the moment it is within reach of a player figure. Both goalie rods are considered one rod of possession.
Jarring
Skip ahead to 12:06 in this Unreal Foos video
When a foosball match gets intense, it is easy to accidentally smash the bumpers into the wall hard enough to make your opponent drop a pass they would have otherwise caught. Physically moving the table when the ball is in play is not allowed in foosball.
ITSF Rule 16. Jarring
Any banging of the side walls or movement of the table that causes the opponent to lose possession or prevents them from catching the ball is considered a jarring infraction. Simultaneous bumping of the wall, as part of a pass or shot, is not considered jarring unless there was excessive force that clearly prevented the opponent from gaining possession. Jars are accumulated for the entire match.
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