Official rules in all languages
The game begins with a coin toss, the winner of which chooses the side or ball to engage. After each round the players or teams change sides, the engagement is given to the player or team who did not have it in the previous round.
Article 1: Commitment
The ball is thrown into the half by the team or player who has just conceded a goal.
Article 2 : Change of place in a team
Changing positions within a team (Forward/Back – Back/Forward) is only permitted after a goal has been scored and before the start of the game.
Article 3 : Passage to half
A ball is considered deflected (rake) from the moment a player touches it with his halves and deflects it towards his own backs. The ball is then given to the opposing halves of the player who committed the fault. Advantage rule: However, if despite a rake by the opponent, the forwards have managed to catch the deflected ball, they keep it. Penalty: During the second consecutive and immediate deflection (no exchange of halves) committed by a player, the ball is systematically given to the opposing forwards.
Article 4 : Half shots
- The opponent deflected the ball with his half-backs (rake)
- The ball hit the opponent’s goal, came back to hit his backs or half-backs and entered the goal.
- Shot by the half-backs against his own side.
- The ball hit the opponent’s back posts (immediate right and left sides of the goal) came back
- Hit the opponent’s goal, backs, or half-backs and entered the goal.
Article 5 : The counter of the half
A player has the right to move his halves on clearances from opposing backs. A counter by the halves does not count as a goal. Except for the exception of article 4. If the halves’ bar was not held by the player.
Article 6 : Commitment of the ball after a half
A ball returned by a shot from the half-backs is considered null (except for the exception in article 4), it is given back for engagement to the half-backs of the team or player who conceded.
Article 7 : Repeats
In team play, recoveries are allowed. In singles, recoveries are prohibited (shooting without control of the forwards on a ball coming from behind). In singles, if a player has blocked a ball under the foot of one of his forwards, he does not have to wait for his opponent to shoot.
Article 8 : The bowl or saucepan
A ball that has been put in and out of a goal is considered a goal scored. The ball is normally restarted (See Article 1).
Article 9 : Casters or turnstiles
Casters are allowed, however, on the entire table football and whatever the bars used (goal-backs-half-forwards) it is forbidden to make more than one and a half turns of the bar (ball under the bar or not). From two turns of the bar (movement having resulted in a goal, which in this case is null, or not) the ball is given to the opposing backs (International Regulations).
Article 10 : Pissettes
Pissing from both sides is considered a goal (International Rules).
Article 11 : Time and rest
It is possible for a player or a team to request time (temporary stoppage of play), only in the following cases:
When a player is inconvenienced (raise your arm and ask for time). When there is a dispute (raise your arm and ask for time). For a rest that will only occur once per game, for each player or team. This rest can be taken during the game (raise your arm, ask for time and specify rest) the rest lasts 1 minute.
Article 12 : After a stoppage in game
To start a round, after a goal, or generally after any stoppage of play, the ball will be considered playable after the player in possession of it has asked: ready? and his immediate opponent has responded: Ready!
Article 13 : Putting a ball out of play immobilization of ball
The table football table is divided into a fictitious or real line on certain games (between the halves) which determines two camps. When a ball goes out of play it is given to the backs of the camp from which it went out. This exit is considered a stoppage of play (see article 12).
In the event of indecision or dispute concerning the point of exit of the ball, the referee may draw lots to determine the camp of the restart.
It sometimes happens that the ball is immobilized and inaccessible to both opponents. In this case, the ball is given to the backs of the camp in which it is immobilized.
In the event of the ball being immobilized on the halfway line dividing the two camps, the referee draws lots to determine the camp of the restart. In the event that the ball is stuck on the goal ball, the ball is given to the backs of the camp in which it is immobilized.
Article 14 : Arbitration
The referee is sovereign over a game. His decisions are indisputable. If there are repeated faults or discourteous attitude, he can issue (without or after warning) a handicap of one goal lost for a player or a team. If he deems it necessary, he can expel a player or a team from the tournament, which can result in a temporary or permanent suspension of the license. With the exception of the time provided for each game (see article 11), the referee is the only one who can temporarily suspend a phase of play, for a fault. As long as the referee has not stopped the game, the players must continue the game. Untimely or repeated stops can be sanctioned.
The Prohibitions
- Talking during the game.
- Hitting the uprights (forward and backward) with the bars.
- Intentionally causing the opponent to lose the ball by any act.
- Moving the table football violently.
- Putting your hands in the table football (catching a ball marked or holding a bar by the players).
- Blowing on the game.
- Asking for time without a valid reason.
- Individual restarts.
- Keeping the ball under the same bar for more than ten seconds.
- Refusing the designated table football.