Game Rules

Human Foosball: Rules of the Game

While we’re not always the most rule-followingist of a crew, we believe our rules are pretty fair. Even we follow them, and that’s saying something. So be a good sport, follow the rules, and everyone will have a great time!

Human Foosball: An Overview of the Game

Human Phoosball is like the classic tabletop Foosball, however, it is played with real people, a soccer ball and in a large enclosed arena.
Two teams compete against each other to score the most goals in the allotted time.
Each team consists of 7-8 players, in 4 different rows that must face the opposing team’s goal at all times: 1 goalie, 2 defenders, 3 mid-fielders and 2 forwards. Teams may finish a game with 6 players.
Eight poles are laid cross the arena with a sleeve over each. The sleeve allows the players in each row to move laterally along the pole, but not forward or backward.

Regular Game Play

Players will be positioned at the appropriate places in the arena.
Players must keep both hands on the bar at all times, and one foot must be  touching the ground.
The game starts when the referee rolls the ball into play from the mid-field area.
Play continues until a penalty occurs, a goal is scored, the ball leaves the arena, or the timer runs out.
Players can only move laterally from side to side. Defenders, Mid-Fielders, and Forwards  need to work together to move side to side. Teamwork is key.

Penalties

Once a penalty occurs, the non-offending team gains possession in one of two positions in the arena:

Mid-field restart
Forward restart

Penalties Occur When:

A player intentionally stalls for more than 10 seconds (i.e. delay of game incident as determined by the referee). Results in mid-field restart.
Any player or goalie takes one or both of their hands off of their sleeves. Results in forward restart.
If any player uses their hands in game play (i.e. a handball). Results in forward restart.
When a defender or goalie uses their hands to stop a shot attempt (as determined by the referee). A GOAL WILL BE AWARDED TO THE SHOOTING TEAM.

Restarting the Game

When a goal is scored, the other team receives the ball. Results in mid-field restart.
When the ball goes out of bounds, the other team receives the ball. Results in mid-field restart.
When a goal attempt goes above the goal and into the safety netting, that goalie receives the ball. Results in goalie restart.

How the Game Ends

The game is over when the time expires.

Other Matters

Absolutely NO HANGING off of the poles, one foot must be on the ground at all times.
Proper footwear is mandatory. Footwear must cover the entire foot. No high heel or hard-covered (steel toes) footwear will be allowed.

Tournament Rules

Pool Play

Six (6) “pools” each containing four teams
Each team plays all three teams in their pool to determine a pool winner. If records are tied at the end of pool play, then overall goals scored will be used to determine the winner of the pool. If the teams are still tied, then Rock, Paper, Scissors will be used to determine the winner – best 2 out of 3.
Games are 6 minutes long with 2 minutes between games. A second ball will be put into play with 90 seconds left. This will create an opportunity for teams that are trailing to catch-up.
Captains will meet prior to the game to determine which side of the arena teams will play on, this will be completed with Rock, Paper, Scissors – best 1 out of 1.
6 pool winners advance to the playoffs.

Playoff Games

Playoff games are 8 minutes long. A winner must be determined.
In the event of a tie, the teams will move to a shoot-out:
- The two captains will meet to play Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide which team will shoot first.
- 3 players from each team will take turns shooting on the opposing team’s goalie in an alternating format on one end of the arena (i.e. one team shoots and then the other team).
- The end of the arena will be chosen by the referee.
- All players will shoot from the forward position with no defense on the field in front of them.
- The team with the most goals scored after all three rounds is the winner. If the game is still tied, new players will continue the shootout, but the shootout will now continue being played one round at a time until a winner is determined.