Advanced Game Rules

If you want to play an “official” game of human foosball, here are the more advanced, official rules:

First Roll-In:
The ball is thrown into the center of the court to start the game, with mid-field players with bars touching the wall opposite the throw-in side.

Both Hands on the Bar:
Players cannot let go of the bar while the ball is in play.

No Hanging:
Players cannot lower their chin under the height of the bar.

Reset for Roll-In:
Prior to the referee throwing the ball back into the game, Mid-field rows must have their game bars touching the wall opposite the referee. The game is live once the ball is rolled in.

Keep the Ball Low if You Can’t Control It:
A player cannot be hit above the shoulders. Intentionally or not, regardless of which team did the kicking, it is an automatic foul. If you are playing offense and kick the ball against the wall and it bounces back and hits you in the face, you just fouled yourself.
Note: if the referee judges that a player intentionally headed the ball, it is NOT considered a penalty.

Chicken Wings are OK!
It is okay to use your arms to block the ball, as long as your hands stay on the bar.

You Gotta Play, Man!
You need to keep moving. If the referee notices a team is intentionally stalling play, the referee with stop the game and give the team a warning. If the behavior repeats, that team will be penalized with a foul.

Referees Have The Final Word!
Be respectful of the referee and other players. The ultimate goal is to HAVE FUN! The referee has the right to eject a player if he/she is acting too aggressively (physically or verbally).

PENALTY KICKS:

Who is the Kicker?
It depends on how many fouls there are in the game:

  • 1-2 could: the goalie takes the foul
  • 3-5 fouls: the mid-field takes the foul
  • 6+ fouls: the forward takes the foul

How Penalty Kicks Work:
All players between the kicker and the goal, including players from the same team, need to freeze in a standing position (locked knees).

Taking Fouls 1-5:

  1. After everyone is frozen, the ball is given to the Kicker (see Who’s the Kicker above);
  2. Only the Kicker is allowed to move to find an open spot;
  3. The Kicker will take a shot;
  4. All players (including Defending Team Goalies) must remain frozen until the ball stops forward motion (by hitting the far wall or a player or it stops moving or scores).
    Note: If the ball hits anyone and continues moving forward, players must remain frozen.
  5. The Referee will blow the whistle to indicate the ball has stopped moving forward and the game can continue (if no score).

Taking Fouls 6+

  1. The Kicker is to place the ball down on the ground;
  2. The Defending Team Goalie(s) will look for the best angle to block a shot and freeze;
  3. The Kicker takes a shot;
  4. The Defending Team Goalie(s) must remain frozen until the ball stops forward motion;
  5. The Referee will blow the whistle indicating the ball has stopped forward movement and the game can continue (if no score).

SUBSTITUTIONS (SWAPS)

  1. Every team has the right to call up to 1 substitution during a period.
  2. Substitutions include players moving to a different bar and/or swapping places at the same bar. Each team can move as many players as they want during a substitution.
  3. Substitutions are limited to 15 seconds. If players are not ready (both hands on the bar) before the 15 seconds expire, the team commits a foul.
  4. The opposing team cannot make any substitutions during the opponents’ substitution time-out. They will need to call for a Substitution of their own and wait for a stoppage in the game.
  5. Anyone can be substituted during half-time.
  6. To call for a Substitution, the Team Captain indicates to the referee their intention to call a Sub. Once the ball stops (out of bounds, foul, or a score), the team has 15 seconds to make the changes.

Source: https://www.fletc.gov/sites/default/files/human_foosball_rules.pdf

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