What are the rules of foosball?

Foosball, also known as table football, involves two teams of two (or occasionally one-on-one) players using a foosball table to kick a ball into the opposing team's goal. The goal is to score more goals than your opponent. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the rules:
1. Starting the Game:

• A coin toss determines which team gets to serve first or chooses their side. 
• The serve involves placing the ball on the table and striking it with a rod. 
• In some foosball games, the ball is dropped into a serving hole. 

2. Serving:

• Either team can hit the ball once it has touched the table.

• If the table doesn't have a serving hole, the ball is placed on the table and struck. 

• If the table has a serving hole, the ball is passed through the hole onto the table.

3. Gameplay:

• Players use the handles on the rods to move the players on the table. 

• The goal is to score by kicking the ball into the opponent's goal. 

• You can pass the ball between your players to set up shots. 

• No spinning: Players cannot spin the rods more than 360 degrees. 

4. Scoring:

• A goal is scored when the ball passes through the goal hole. 

• An own goal (hitting the ball into your own goal) is also a point for the opposing team. 

• If the ball goes directly into the goal from the serve without being touched, it's not a goal. 

5. Winning:

• The game is typically played to five goals, or sometimes up to ten. 

• A match usually involves playing the best of three or five games. 

6. Other Rules:

• No jarring:
  Players cannot shake or move the table to try to dislodge the ball. 

• Time limits:
  There are time limits on how long players can hold the ball on their rod before passing or shooting. 

• Dead balls:
  If the ball gets stuck, it's considered a dead ball and is placed in play at the nearest serving point. 

• Out-of-bounds:
  If the ball goes off the table, it's placed back in play at the goalie area of the team last scored upon. 

7. American vs. European Rules:

• In American foosball, teams are typically made up of six players, while in European foosball, they may be four or five players. 

• Serving methods can also differ, with open-hand serves in American foosball and specific rules for serving holes in European foosball. 

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