BFA’s Official Simplified Rules
The rules of the sport of table football are published by the International Table Soccer Federation. The BFA’s official simplified rules – outlined below and in an easy to print PDF – are suitable for all recreational play.
1. Coin Toss
If you win the coin toss you can choose to take the first kick-off or to pick the table side. You can change sides between games.
2. Kick-off
Start at the central 5-rod figure. To kick-off or restart, ask “Ready?”, and when your opponent responds “Ready!” you can move the ball. You must touch another figure before advancing the ball.
3. Goal
You can score from any figure on any rod. A ball that goes in and out counts. If you concede a goal you take the next kick-off.
4. Dead Ball
If the ball goes dead between the 5-rods, the team that conceded the last goal takes the next kick-off. If the ball goes dead behind a 5-rod, restart from the nearest 2-rod.
5. Ball Off Table
If the ball flies off the table through the power of your shot, your opponent restarts on their 2-rod.
6. No Spinning
You can rotate the rod once to hit the ball, but more than one rotation is not allowed.
7. Fair Play
Don’t put your hand into the playfield while the ball is in play, don’t slam any rod, and don’t lift the table. Play should be continuous until a goal is scored.
8. Penalty
If you break a rule, give the ball to your opponent for a kick-off.
ITSF Rules
The official ITSF tournament rules are more complex, click here to visit their website.
