BAR FOOTBALL RULES
There are no internationally recogised set of rules for table football. Instead, rules tend to be defined according to the type of table and the event organiser. Presented below the rules applicable in most playing situations such as a local pub or youth centres.
Rules That Are Applicable in Most Situations
(The following rules are loosely based on those used by the Oxford Students Table Football Club.)
Games are usually played up to 5 goals (or 9, depending on how many balls are in the table).
No spinning - defined as the rotation of any man or men more than 360 degrees either before - or - after striking the ball.
No illegal jarring of the table - note legitimate attempts to block a shot are allowed but random thrashing is not.
Put-in should be through-the-hole or on to the midfield of the team who conceded the previous goal.
Bounce outs (where the ball enters the goal hits the back and comes back out) count as a goal. Play is restarted as usual from a put-in.
In the event of the ball leaving the table, it should be put-in again with no penalty being incurred.
Generally agreed additional rules for Italian-Style Tables
On open top tables the ball is placed on a 5-bar and must touch 2 men before being played forwards/backwards.
On glass-top tables the ball is served through-the-hole and must hit the back wall or a 5-bar man before being played forwards.
Oxford University League rules for singles games prohibit positioning the midfield or attack bars in a raised position after the ball has been controlled in defense. *note: holding bars up with non-shooting arm is allowed).
Generally agreed rules for the Tornado Table
The ball cannot be passed or shot forward from a 5-bar from a stationary ball position.
If the ball goes stationary on the midfield, it must touch two men before being played again.
Time outs may be called during a game by the team in possession of the ball. The ball is restarted from the same position, but must touch two men on the bar before it can be played.
