Foosball for Dummies: Learn to Play Today

  • By: Tim
  • Time to read: 3 min.
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So you want a basic breakdown of foosball? What it is and how to play. Well, this foosball for dummies guide delivers on just that. We will make it easy for you to understand so you can get out there playing foosball right away!

Foosball is a tabletop game that can be played by two or four players. It is often compared to soccer and is called table soccer, as the game’s objective is to score goals against the opponent. The game is played with metal rods that control small figures on a table, and players must hit a small ball into a goal using these rods to score 10 points to win.

Foosball can be found in many different places, such as home game rooms, bars, and recreation centers. Although it may seem intimidating at first, practice makes perfect! The more you play, the better you will become at foosball.

Where Was Foosball Invented?

Foosball was invented in England by, Harold Searles Thornton. He was an Englishman who came up with the game in 1921 as a way of playing table football. The game quickly caught on, and soon foosball tables were popping up worldwide.

Foosball Table Setup and Player Count

Table: Foosball Table Model, Wikipedia

Row 1Goalkeepingred man (sometimes 3)
Row 2Defense2 red men (sometimes 3)
Row 3Opponent’s attack3 blue or white men (sometimes 2)
Row 4Midfield5 red men (sometimes 4)
Row 5Opponent’s midfield5 blue or white men (sometimes 4)
Row 6Attack3 red men (sometimes 2)
Row 7Opponent’s defense2 blue or white men (sometimes 3
Row 8Opponent’s goalkeeping1 blue or white man (sometimes 3)

When Was Foosball Invented AKA The Great Foosball Timeline

1921 –  Harold Searles Thornton who invented foosball gets the first patent for table football in the UK.

1937 – Alejandro Finisterre, a Spanish inventor patented Futbolin, in Madrid. This is the modern-day version of table football.

1950’s – Lawrence Patterson brought the game to the United States

1970’s – Foosball reached its peak popularity in the U.S.

2002 – Table soccer is promoted by the International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF), which was founded in France.

How to Play Foosball For Dummies

If you’re looking to get into the world of foosball, then you need to know the basics of how to play. Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Find a foosball table. This can be tricky, as not many places have them. Your best bet is to check out your local bar or arcade.

They are about 4′ long by 2′ wide and usually contain eight rows of foos me. This can be tricky, as not many places have them. Your best bet is to check out your local bar or arcade.

2. Place two teams of players on either side of the table. There should be one or two players per team, including the goalie.

3. Use the rods to control your players and try to score goals against the other team.

4. Have fun and enjoy the competitive nature of the game! The game is won when a predetermined amount of goals are scored, usually five, ten, or eleven.

Foosball FAQ

Is Foosball an Olympic Sport?

No, foosball is not an Olympic sport but it will be awesome if and when it happens!

Who Invented Foosball?

Harold Searles Thornton invented foosball in 1921.

Why is Foosball Called Foosball?

It’s German for football and it’s fun to say.

Where was Foosball Invented?

In the United Kingdom

Final Thoughts on Foosball for Dummies

Well… There you have it. I hope this short guide helped to shed some light on how to play foosball as well as answering any questions you might have about the great game of foosball!

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