Harvard Foosball Table

Foosball is an American corruption of the German fussball (the two ss's are joined together in an exact translation and look slightly like a b) which is pronounced the same. The German word for foot is fuss so literally you are saying football. To most Americans it is just foos. The origin of the game is a little vague. I've read one story where a fan had just come back from a football match and was wondering how he could bring the excitement of the game into the home. On the table was a packet of matches that he was playing around with. Eventually he hit upon the idea of lining the match sticks up on the table which led him to the idea of the modern foosball table. This story is unverifiable and probably inaccurate because the first patent in America for foosball was lodged in 1901.

What we do know is that soccer became an organized sport in 1860 so it is probably safe to assume that foosball originated some time after that.

Foosball is called Kicker in a lot of European countries because one of the oldest manufacturers of foosball tables is a company called Kicker. Their tables are so popular in Germany, Switzerland and Belgium that the term is now generic.

Foosball didn't really start to take hold until after World War II. As it's popularity has grown there has been organized competitions held throughout Europe since as early as 1950's. Due to the varying nature of the type and size of balls plus different sized tables and players it has been difficult to make everything fair. In 1976 the European Table Soccer Union was formed but competitions were still small scale and prize money was at the lower end.

America changed the playing field with the introduction of $1 000 000 in prize money. This was incentive enough for European players to change to the American style table so some form of standardization is taking place.

More and more people are getting into the foosball craze. It's easy to get into, doesn't take up much room and is starting to become an international sport with large sums as prize money.

The Object of the Game
To be the first team (or player) to score a predetermined number of points or to score the most points in given amount of time.

Serving
The server rolls the ball through the serving hole to start the game, after a point is scored, or after a ball leaves the table. The server can spin the ball to influence the serve, but the ball must be struck by one of the serving team's (or server's) player figures. Once the ball is in play, it remains in play until it is hit off the table, a dead ball is declared, time out is called, or a point is scored.

Passing
If a ball is pinned on the 5-man rod, it cannot be passed to the 3-man rod of the same team without touching at least two player figures as it is being passed.

Scoring
When a ball enters the opposing team's goal, a point is scored. If the ball enters the goal, but bounces back onto the playing surface or leaves the table, it still counts as a goal.

Spinning Rods
Spinning the rods is illegal.

Ball Off the Table
If the ball leaves the playing surface and strikes any object that is not part of the table, it is declared "off the table" and should be put back into play by a serve from the team (or player) that originally served that ball. If the ball rolls into the serving cup and then returns to the playing surface, it is still considered "in play."

Dead Ball
If a ball has completely stopped its motion and cannot be reached by any player figure, it is declared a "dead ball." If the ball is declared dead between the goal and the 2-man rod, it should be put back into play by placing it in nearest corner and releasing it. If the ball is declared dead anywhere else on the playing surface, it should be put back into play by a serve from the team that originally served the ball. If a ball is spinning in place, it is not considered a dead ball.

Product Features

• Fast-paced foosball table with 2-tone wood laminate cabinet


• Chrome-plated steel rods with octagonal cushioned handles


• Robot-style white and red players; tabletop abacus scorers


• Fast-action playing surface with blond wood laminate finish


• 4-inch arc legs; measures 55 x 34.5 x 30.75 inches (W x H x D)
  

Found this today and thought I might put it up for any people who are handy with tools and might want to try to build their own table.

Get It Here

Product Features

• Octagon handles, block scoring system, stylish black with silver trim finish


• End panel ball return, 5/8" hollow steel rods, balanced silver and black players (5-3-2-3)


• Black apron with silver trim, counter balanced players


• Fast-action playing surface with blond wood laminate finish


• Legs: medium-density fiberboard; arc style; 5/16" leg levelers
  

Product Features

A great addition to your game room, this 4-foot Harvard Foosball Table offers a compact footprint and durable playability for years of family fun. It features a contemporary white, black and red finish, 1/2-inch chrome-finished rods, painted players for a classic look, and an "L" leg design with side panel support. It also includes a slide scorer and black rubber handles for a good grip even during intense play. The playing surface measures 41 x 22.75 inches, and the unit measures 48 x 24 x 32 inches (L x W x H).

Product Features

• 1/2" chrome finished rods with painted players


• End panel ball return, 5/8" hollow steel rods, balanced silver and black players (5-3-2-3)


• Slide scorer


• Black rubber handles


• Play surface: 41" x 22-3/4"