21 Foosball Tricks & Tips That’ll Help You CRUSH Opponents!

21 Foosball Tricks & Tips That’ll Make You A Foosball Master!

Love playing foosball? hi, we get it! We’re absolutely addicted to foosball, its one of the best games ever made by man, in fact just writing these lines makes us want to drop our mac and go play some foosball.

But don’t worry, we won’t do that, because we have to help you improve your foosball gaming skills.

We’re about to give you awesome 21 foosball tips and tricks that’ll make you a MASTER in the game of foosball.

QUICK TIP: First, if you haven’t read, read our post about the rules of foosball. 

Wether you love playing foosball in your office at work, with buddies at home, or even professionally, we’re confident that this post will help you improve your skills.

Remeber, knowledge is NOT power, its power in potential. Meaning, if you won’t actually practice these tips and take some action, just ‘knowing’ them will do nothing for you.

So make sure you read this post a few times if you’re serious at getting better at the game of football table (foosball sounds so much better…)

HOW TO BECOME BETTER AT FOOSBALL : 21 TIPS & TRICKS

TIP #1: BE UNPREDICTABLE

This is the worst mistakes newbie foosball players make. They are too predictable. Be creative, and your opponent will never see it coming. See a clear path? kick with your goalie all the way to your opponents goal, you’ll be surprised on how many easy scores you’ll get that way.

TIP #2: BE ON THE MOVE

remember, your opponent has 15 seconds to do his move. You want to be constantly moving your players, don’t stop. Look at the players hes moving and react accordingly.

TIP #3: PLAY AGAINST THE BEST

If you’re anything like us, you dont like losing. That being said, if you were a new soccer player and you had the chance to play and learn from Christiano Ronaldo, would you do it? of course you would!

Well, same applies to foosball. You might get frustrated losing to a foosball pro, but you’ll learn so much and improve your skills fast!

TIP #4: BE LOOSE WHEN HOLDING THE HANDLES! 

Another common mistake is beginners make, is having a very tight, hold grip on the foosball tables handles. Don’t do that.

You will want to keep a pretty loose grip on the handle, the reason is youll be able to shoot and spin the handle faster that way.

You will also be able to move your hands between handles faster, but if your hands are “stuck” on the handle, it will take you an extra second to loosen the grip, which can cost you the game!

TIP #5: STRENGTHEN YOUR ARM MUSCLES! 

Want to be a pro foosball player that beats everyone, everywhere? You must do some arm exercise preferably with weights.

Work on your forearm, wrist, biceps and shoulders and you will be able to spin the handles faster, and even play foosball for a longer time, which will make you a strong and in-shape foosball player!

TIP #6: WANT TO SHOOT FAST? USE THE ‘OPEN HANDED’ SHOT

When performing a ‘open handed shot’ in foosball, the speed of the shot will increase dramatically.

To shoot a “open handed shot” simply spin the handle on the wrist.

It won’t be as accurate as if you would close your hand and grip harder on the handle, but it will be extremely fast.

TIP #7: MASTER THE FOOSBALL SERVE!

Just dropping the ball into the hole is a terrible foosball mistake! You’re basically giving your opponent a free possession, where he or she can score easily. Why would you do that?!

Learn to spin the ball and control the angle when serving the ball. It will take you time to master, so you’ll need to practice your serving technique.

Once you master this, you will increase your winning odds significantly, so don’t underestimate the serve.

TIP #8: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

Stay focused, we cant stress this enough. Many players get over-whelmed as theres a lot going on in a foosball game. However, you must stay focused if you want to win.

Keep your eyes on the ball and glance to your opponents hands from time to time, that’ll help you better focus on the game progress, plan your next shots, and predict your opponents next move.

foosball winning tips

TIP #9: GET BETTER AT DEFENSE BY HOLDING 2 RODS TOGETHER

This tip is powerful, so read carefully. Learn to move two of your defense handles (rods) together, as a small defense unit. That will make it extremely hard on your opponent to score.

Make sure your players don’t over-lap, spread them out with small gaps between them, and you’ll have the defense of a premier league soccer team.

TIP #10: COVER YOUR GOAL – EFFICIENTLY (5 BALLS RULE)

Did you know that your goal has the width of 5 foosball balls? well, you do now.

Understanding that will help you cover your goal efficiently, and you won’t have to spend extra man-power covering the entire goal, you just dont need to do that.

You want to spread your defense players, so they defend 50% of each hole, and not the entire hole. Meaning, X player defends 50% of hole 1, and 50% of hole number 2, that way, if your opponent will shoot to hole 1 or 2, he won’t be able to score! 

Look at the figure below to better understand this tactic 

foosball tips - goal
Cover 50% of each hole. You don’t need to cover the entire hole, that way, 1 player defends two positions.

TIP #11: BEWARE OF RICOCHET-GOALS!

Have you ever got a ricochet goal? they suck! Especially because avoiding them is extremely easy.

Heres what you want to do: simply tilt your defense players backwards whenever you notice a shot is going to hit a wall that is close to your goal.

By doing this simple technique, the ricochet ball won’t cost you a point!

TIP #12: DEFENSE IS CRUCIAL IN FOOSBALL!

Again, when playing with many beginners we noticed they forget to play defense. In foosball, we would say you want to focus 70% on defense and 30% on offense.

Having a good defense will prevent most of your opponents goals, and will be so much easier on you to score.

So focus on blocking easy shots from your opponents, and then use the blocks to your advantage and go on the offense. But never forget to play defense!

Also, make sure your eyes are on the ball and your defensive players are always on the move, like we suggested in the tips before.

TIP #13: PLAY 2 RODS WITH 1 HAND!

If You’re playing one on one, try mastering this technique as it can be a game changer!

Try using your pinkie and thumb on your left hand to play with your entire defense unit (meaning your 2 defense handles).

It wont be easy to master at first, but when you get used to it, you literally become a foosball behemoth.

TIP #14: DON’T FORGET TO BREATH!

You will be surprised at how many players forget to breath during a foosball game, and then they faint and die!

Ok, we lied, you won’t faint and die but you definitely want to pace your breathing during an intense foosball game, so your body will able to function and you won’t run out of breath, letting your opponent beat you with ease.

TIP #15: CREATIVITY IS KEY

Usually, the obvious play is usually the worst possible play. Because your opponent will be able to predict it, and prepare his players to react!

When you become creative, and play with the right mindset, youll take advantage of situations and score easy goals.

Dont be afraid to mix things up, and bounce the ball off of the walls in order to score. Try scoring when your opponent less expects it.

TIP #16: BE CONSISTENT, BUT CHANGE ANGLES

Don’t get into this “circle of stupidity” of you hitting the ball, your opponent blocks it, you try the same exact shot again, and guess what? you get blocked again.

Consistency is important, but doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, was defined by the great Albert Einstein as ‘insanity‘.

If you know your opponent is good at blocking a specific type of shot, why not try a different angle or shot instead ?

TIP #17: THE MORE YOU PLAY – THE BETTER YOU WILL BECOME

This one seems pretty obvious but we wanted you to remember that. The more you play, the better you will get at foosball.

In fact, if you haven’t yet, we highly recommend getting a foosball table for your own house to practice on. We recently picked the 10 best foosball tables ever –  click to read the post. 

TIP #18: ROTATE YOUR WRIST AT 180 DEGREES FOR A BETTER SHOT

When you rotate your wrist while holding the handle, make sure you rotate fast and make a 180 degrees movement.

Dont get lazy and make the entire movement that way the ball will gain more speed and momentum when your players hit it.

TIP #19: CELEBRATE WHEN YOU SCORE!

Scored a goal? shout “YES!!!!” or “GOOOALLL” or whatever you want to shout, but do celebrate.

Wonder why? 1. its fun and will boost your moral. and the second reason – it will discourage your opponent and get him out of his game even further, which will increase the odds of you winning. And you like winning, don’t you? 🙂

TIP #20: LUBRICATE YOUR ROD FOR A SMOOTH, FAST ACTION

You have to lubricate your rod with some oil so everything will go smooth and fast.

Another great tip is to slide the rubber bumpers along the rod and to the end of it, to clean the residue and dust build-up, that will help the rod slide better.

TIP #21: DONT FORGET TO HAVE FUN!

Foosball is a very exciting fun game, don’t forget that!

While winning is important for your confidence, and finances if you play professionally, if you stop enjoying the game you won’t play with enthusiasm and lose anyway.

WATCH A SUMMARY OF THESE TIPS [SHORT VIDEO]:

THE BOTTOM LINE 

We hope this post helped you learn some new techniques, and improved your understanding of the amazing game of foosball.

Foosball is an extremely fun and exciting game, and its usually played at home with friends and family.

That being said, being a better foosball player will enhance your gaming experience and to be honest, nobody likes to lose!

None the less, there are professional foosball tournaments, where you can compete for serious money. To see the entire tournament list, click here to go to the official IFP website.

Some of our readers told us they play foosball for money and bet with their friends, so this post can literally make you money if you do that.

We said it before and we will repeat it again, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. If you’re not having fun (unless your a pro playing for money) than your missing the point.

We’re trying to grow TableGamez.com and we write our content to help folks out, we hope you appreciate that!

Last, would you share this post via social media? it will help us a lot and will allow us to keep writing awesome content like this post!

10 Best Foosball Tables: These Football Tables Are AWESOME!

We Picked The Best Foosball Tables!

Buying a great foosball table requires a certain amount of skill. Not only do you have to pay attention to detail, but you also have to ensure you’re able to play the game in both defensive and offensive manners.

Plus, you should know enough about the prices involved to recognize a good bargain when you see it.

This knowledge goes hand in hand with evaluating the materials the vendors are using as well as their inclusion of all the needed parts.

In order to help you make the best decision, we’ve gathered some awesome info reviews of the best options available right now.

These tables are provided by different manufacturers and offer different features. You can, hence, make a more informed decision and get the perfect table for your requirements.

Reviewing foosball tables before making a purchase would mean that you won’t have to go about buying missing parts or seeking a whole new table in a couple of years.

After reading this post, you’d have a better shot at choosing a sturdy, lasting, and high-performing football table.

Before we go into the foosball tables, make sure you read the rules of foosball post we published recently. Also, you want to read our post on foosball tables size & dimensions guide to make sure you’re buying the right one.

Now that we got that out of the way, lets dive into the 10 best foosball tables in terms of value, quality, and price.

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks:

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Products

Top 10 Best Foosball Tables: Reviewed

Below are the 10 best foosball tables. We picked them out of 40 foosball tables, so you whichever one you pick, you’re making a good buying decision.

1. Tornado Elite Foosball Table

Specifications:

This model has amazing commercial-quality rods, which are by far the most important feature in an excellent foosball table.

The wood is a traditional kind, being Victorian cherry laminate. It costs around $150 more than the Tornado Classic, a similar model with a lower quality of rods. With the Tornado Elite, you also get great quality of levelers as well as counterbalanced men.

Highly Durable

This foosball table weighs a full 225 pounds with a 1.5-inch thick cabinet. It’s perfectly made for withstanding heavy-duty playing and the occasional rough usage. It’s sturdy, resists warping, and is made of high-quality materials.

Great Gameplay

You’d be hard-pressed to find a table with better precision and smoother movements. The counterbalanced players make sure every man on the same team is positioned in the right manner. You can be sure of fast-paced, continuous gameplay when you have this table for your foosball tournaments.

Pros

  • Wooden handles have a smooth, comfy grip
  • Level, sturdy surface for playing
  • Suitable for professionals
  • Exceptionally durable and high quality
  • Rods offer commercial quality
  • Beautiful aesthetics with bright, contrasting colors

Cons

  • Assembly could be quite difficult
  • Expensive; not affordable for average consumers

Specifications:

This table is specially constructed for professional players, but it’s still affordable enough for the masses to buy and install in their homes and schools. Its parts are made for the American type of foosball, which is what most US players want, whether they’re professional or novice.

Fun Playing Experience

This table gives several fun gaming options and excellent control over the game. It has a solid construction that won’t give away, even after hours of rough playing. It’s also simple to assemble, meaning you can get on with playing as soon as possible! There’s even an instructional video on YouTube in order to help enthusiastic players get over the hassle of assembling quickly.

High Level of Quality

This table is the only one that Warrior produces. Thus, it provides an unsurpassed level of quality since the company solely focuses on this one offering for foosball fans. In fact, this is the table that the International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) recommends.

This durable quality is due to the stable and durable fiberboard, a much better option than mere wood. The construction is also highly solid and stable, so you get the best of both worlds here.

Pros

  • Thin inner bearing prevents the ball from passing between the wall and men
  • Quality foosballs for true roll enhancement
  • Safety guards for rods
  • Assembly is quite easy
  • Suitable for professional players
  • Solid, durable construction for reliable and long-term playing

Cons

  • Might be too slow and cumbersome for high-level professionals

Specifications:

Tornado is a name that simply oozes foosball. This sporty table is no exception, having a lovely thick mahogany cabinet. While the price may be a bit much for some, this sturdy 200-pound contraption is certainly worth it if you’re a foosball enthusiast. However, do keep in mind that this table is best for novices and intermediate players, not professionals.

Extremely Durable

This table might not be the most elegant one of the lot, but its MDF material is of a very high grade. The cabinet is an inch thick, giving this table a sturdy performance no matter how you play on it. Since it’s been made in the United States, you can rest assured that it’s of extremely high quality and would last you several years of nonstop fun.

Fast Gameplay

Since the table weighs a good 200 pounds, it’s highly stable and would stay level even when the players get a little overexcited. There’s also the option of placing shims inside to level up the table even more. Since the steel rods aren’t solid, they will move smoothly and lightly.

Pros

  • Sturdy and long-lasting
  • Great quality materials
  • Offers long hours of fun
  • Easy to assemble
  • Smooth, high-quality rods
  • Beautiful appearance with mahogany melamine finish and bright colors—yellow, black, green, etc.

Cons

  • Assembly has one difficult part of getting hollow rods through poles
  • Counterbalanced men not available, so not suitable for pros

Specifications:

This classic offering weighs a whopping 225 pounds. It also has a unique laminate finish of black leather. Its appearance, along with the counterbalanced men, makes this table a great offering for the more experienced foosball players.

Sturdiness

This table is made to last a long time. The cabinet is one of the thickest on the market, and everything else is of an immensely high quality. The playing field is also quite thick, making for a non-warping experience even with the roughest game you can throw at it. The handles are smooth and easy to operate, making for smooth movement every single time.

Appearance

With the modern leather finish, light-colored wooden handles, and yellow/green players, the contrast is enough to make this table a wonder! Finish off your den with this contemporary piece and you’ll never regret your choice.

Pros

  • Highly durable and quite sturdy
  • Counterbalanced players make it good for professional use
  • Made in the United States
  • Quality is professional level
  • Levelers are commercial grade with handles made of solid wood
  • Fast and smooth playing
  • Smooth movement of rods

Cons

  • Requires at least two people for assembly

Specifications:

If you’re on the lookout for a professional-grade foosball table, this should be among your top choices. It’s extremely robust, weighs a hefty 355 pounds, and is structured to outlast even yourself. The split cabinet would give you an irresistibly smooth playing experience, and the mechanical bearings with the counterbalanced men are sure to give you the professionalism you crave for.

Thoughtful Features

This model is equipped with everything you need for a long-lasting and fun game. The cabinet is 1.5 inches thick with a 0.75-inch playfield. Since thinner parts are prone to warping or splintering, these are highly coveted features. Plus, the field is level, the rods are smooth, and the wooden handles are stylish and long-lasting at the same time.

Great Aesthetics

This table is no doubt a beauty with the bright green field and black legs and yellow bodies of the men. It also boasts a beautiful steel outer, which would make the whole thing a statement piece in your rec room as well as a fun party-starter.

Pros

  • Extremely sturdy
  • Would last for several years, if not decades
  • Fast, smooth, and enjoyable playing experience
  • Very little requirement for assembly
  • Smooth movement of rods
  • Provides a professional playing field
  • Suitable for pros and intermediate players

Cons

  • On the pricey side
  • Decals on the table’s sides give a tacky appearance

Specifications:

This highly popular table is one of the lighter ones. Still, its 148 pounds do leave it quite sturdy. You can play as aggressively as you wish; the ball return and counterbalanced men would make sure your playing remains smooth and fun the whole time!

High Quality

The materials in this table are MDF and hardwood. There’s a lifetime warranty, so you can be sure this table’s going to last. The brand may be one of the newer ones, but it already has quite a reputation when it comes to foosball tables.

Smooth Gameplay

The playing surface of this table eschews any dead spots that could disturb your gameplay. The rods are plated with chrome, and the blue/red players make it easy to play. With the easy ball return, you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • High-quality structure and design
  • Goes well with any room décor
  • Stylish and elegant design
  • Convenient retrieval system for the ball
  • Easy system for keeping score
  • Easy to transform between 1-goalie and 3-goalie designs
  • Includes counterbalanced men, making it suitable for professionals

Cons

  • Several detachable components make it very time-consuming to assemble
  • Digital scorers reported as being too sensitive at times
  • Pushers could be too small for some players

Specifications:

This simple table gives you a lot of bang for your buck! It’s elegant, durable, and excellent in performance. This is the table to get if you’re on a budget but still want an honest-to-goodness foosball table.

High Durability

The table may look sleek, but it’s also extremely sturdy for any kind of gameplay. You can have some serious games as well as those you play just for kicks. The stainless-steel rods are partially solid and chrome-plated to last even longer. The counterweighted men and wooden handles make for a smooth, uninterrupted movement. The leg levelers also have rubber bottoms that would prevent any slipping and crashing.

Elegant Appearance

Though it’s very reasonable in price, this foosball table looks quite pricey. It has a cabinet with a lovely black finishing, chrome accents, and an overall look of class. It has a classic appearance, somewhat like a butcher’s block with chrome cup holders. This makes it best to set up and install right in your home.

Pros

  • Looks luxurious and elegant
  • Gives good value for the price
  • Lifetime warranty included
  • Sturdy handles for smooth and reliable gameplay
  • Premium build quality

Cons

  • Assembly process is quite challenging
  • Proper instructions not provided
  • Slide scoring system may not be well received by everyone

Specifications:

This foosball table is a top-notch one for American-style playing. It’s specially constructed for competitive games. With an elegant aesthetic and sturdy components, you can be sure of a gameplay to remember with this beauty!

Excellent Gaming Experience

This table features counterbalanced players that would always stay on the rods in a horizontal position. This will give every player a clear shot without interruption. The control over the rods and the ball capture is unparalleled by any other model on the market. There are also compression bumpers that lock the men and prevent them from moving around the rods. The slightly elevated edges of the table further add to the professional playing area, preventing the ball from stopping at awkward places.

Highly Durable

The stainless-steel playing rods are extremely sturdy and pleasant to look at. The exterior is beautifully laminated with chestnut finishing. The playing field also has rubber cushions that would ensure the table stays safe during the roughest of games.

Pros

  • Elegant, sturdy, long-lasting construction
  • Lock-on-Men compression bumpers included
  • Includes counterbalanced men for professional playing
  • Able to handle vigorous usage
  • Premium quality materials used in every nook and cranny
  • Rods move smoothly and without sticking
  • Leg levelers included

Cons

  • Assembly is quite challenging and could be very time-consuming
  • Expensive

Specifications:

The Carom Signature brand is known for its manufacturing within the United States. This should instantly reassure American customers of the excellent value provided by the company. It provides several excellent features and many different choices.

Highly Durable

At a weight of 177 pounds, this table has a 1-inch thick cabinet made of warp-resistant wood. Its playing surface is extremely thick, and the graphics are made of enamel, protecting the whole thing from wear and tear. It also boasts steel rods that are hollow, providing a light and smooth gameplay. The rods themselves are very long-lasting. If there’s an issue with this table, the 1-year warranty should take care of the complaints.

Fun Gaming

No matter what level a foosball player is on, they would surely appreciate the counterbalanced players this table provides. This feature makes sure the players are horizontal and provides enough space for the ball to move smoothly. This counterbalancing also gives one full control of the rods.

Pros

  • Sturdy build offers long-term fun
  • Carom Signature is available in three vibrant colors
  • Chrome rods move smoothly and provide a fine playing experience
  • Counterbalanced men for professional use
  • Made in the United States of America

Cons

  • Some reviews mention some dead spots on the table
  • Assembly could be quite complicated and require more than one person at a time

Specifications:

This is one of the best foosball table brands on the market today. When you get a Garlando, you’re sure to get excellent materials and a high-grade experience!

Waterproof

The best aspect of this foosball table is that it’s completely waterproof. No need to worry about it being caught in the rain or any other type of bad weather. You’d also be getting one vinyl waterproof cover in order to get that extra layer of protection from the elements. Since all the materials and parts are waterproof with an anti-rust coating, cleaning this table is a breeze! You can have this table placed outside for some fresh air while you play.

High Quality

The material of this table is a long-lasting marine plywood. There’s waterproof glue used to assemble it, and the metal legs are anti-scratch. Thus, there’s no need to worry about this table wearing out anytime soon!

Pros

  • Able to withstand hard and rough games
  • Gives value for money
  • Stable, very heavy, and made of high-quality parts
  • Suitable for playing outdoors
  • Appeals to the aesthetic sense
  • Comes with weatherproof design
  • Telescopic rods go inside to prevent injury when the table is not in use

Cons

  • Grips on rods are narrower than average, making for a more difficult gameplay
  • Provided instructions aren’t very clear

The Bottom Line

If you’re on the lookout for a foosball table, first know your requirements. You may simply be looking for the lowest price or best value for money.

Then again, you may not even care about the price but simply need the best foosball table for professional playing. No matter what your needs are, you’d probably be able to find them fulfilled in the above products.

Even if you decide to go with something completely different from what we’ve discussed here, the features of these awesome foosball tables would be sure to guide you toward your best option. Here’s wishing you all the best in your foosball endeavors and the best playing experience!

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