Space Guide: Foosball

Foosball, also known as table soccer, is a fast-paced and thrilling game that requires a combination of strategy, reflexes, and precision. Whether you play for fun or competitively, improving your foosball skills can significantly enhance your game and elevate you to a higher level of play. But, then comes the question: how to improve foosball skills? Today, we will explore the various play foosball tricks and techniques that can help you improve your foosball gaming experience and dominate the table. Let's not waste time and get into action. Foosball Tips and Techniques to Improve Your Game 1- The Push Kick Spot a gap in the defense? Push the ball laterally between your strikers, aim, and shoot. The ball will become fast and super deadly. This trick is called the push kick, and it is easy to master and develop among all the other foosball tips and effective in games. The push kick is also versatile and can be used in various situations during a foosball game. It is effective for both shooting straight shots into the goal, as well as diagonal shots that can catch opponents off-guard. As you become more proficient with this shooting technique, you can combine it with other shots and strategies to become a more challenging player to beat on the foosball table. Master this important foosball skill and own your friends while playing foosball! [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCkCvay4-DQ[/embed] 2- The Wall Brush Wall Brush is a passing technique where the first 5 – 3 men pass that everyone learns when starting out. It's simple yet super effective. The objective of "The Wall Brush" is to redirect the ball away from the goal and towards the sides of the foosball table or back towards your offensive zone. It’s done typically along the wall that is nearest to you, and only on tables that utilize tournament bumpers. Keep your 3-men tight by the wall and tilt. When done right, the result is a trapped ball on your 3 bar. After executing "The Wall Brush," be prepared for follow-up shots from your opponent. Quickly reset your defensive formation to be ready for further defensive maneuvers. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGmPVP8aY8I[/embed] 3- The Dink The dink is a sneaky little shot. It is often executed when the opposing defenders are tightly packed or when there's limited space for a powerful shot. More importantly, it is a useful offensive move that catches opponents off guard, especially when they least expect a soft and controlled shot. It’s a little push on the ball by the wide strikers, followed by a shot that’s designed to spray (angled) a little. The target is typically the near post gap, where defenders may occasionally leave out due to their focus being on the central striker. The dink is typically a secondary shot. P.S: After mastering both skills, The Dink Shot and The Push Kick, you can combine them together and perform a deadly combination shot to score. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsHpqNky4bI&t=3s[/embed] 4- Stick Passing The Stick Passing technique is used to pass the ball between players on the same rod (bar) without shooting or shooting for a goal. It is a fundamental skill that allows players to maintain possession, create strategic plays, and set up scoring opportunities. Stick passing is essential for team coordination and can be used in doubles foosball games too. This trick is similar to the Wall brush, but it requires you to fully utilize the 5-men bar. Maneuver the ball along the bar until you spot a lane in your opponent's five bar and pass the ball to your next lane quickly without being blocked. It's a great move to use and mix up with other tricks to achieve a desirable effect. In a way, it's also a strategic move. Consistent stick passing can frustrate your opponent, as it makes it harder for them to gain possession and disrupt your rhythm. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be_iRat_KTs&t=35s[/embed] 5- The Pin Shot One of the best shots to perform on a Garlando table is the pin shot. The pin shot begins with a setup to pin the ball in front of the goalie, followed by sliding left to right to create openings, and lastly, outracing the defense to pot. The name "Pin Shot" comes from the way the ball is pinned between the front man's foot and the playing surface before it is propelled into the goal. This shot is extremely effective and is considered a high percentile shot on a Garlando table due to its immense versatility. By mastering this shot and combining it with other shooting techniques and strategic plays, you can become a more formidable player on the foosball table and improve your scoring opportunities. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GKGQzlpe8M[/embed] But Before Gaming... To achieve wins every single play, practice is the key. Continually practicing foosball not only accustoms your mind to the common strengths and weaknesses of other players, but also allows you to think of your own. With constant gaming, you eventually pick up on what tricks to use to fool your opponent and what tricks don't work. You'll also get to react more quickly and defend your team when your opponent plays game tricks on you. Foosball Tips and Techniques: In Conclusion Now that you know the few basic techniques and foosball guides to winning your game of foosball with friends and family and how to improve your gameplay tactics, you can easily gain countless victories in the long run. With practice and continuous playing, you can even prepare yourself to learn more tricks and play professionally. Ready to Improve Your Skills and Learn More about the Game? Follow our Space Guide: Foosball to get your measurement for fitting a Foosball table in your own Man's Cave and check out for more Space Guide series here. For more information on which foosball table to get, take a look at our breakdown of different styles of foosball table here. Don't forget to visit our Foosball Table Range to find the foosball table you desired. We also have a range of table tennis and arcade games in our collection, if you're interested in that. #BuildYourMen'sCave

Ready to pick your first foosball table? Choosing a foosball table can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's essential to make an informed decision to ensure you get a table that suits your needs and preferences. From buying options to the different foosball table considerations to take note, we've got you!   Buying a Foosball Table We started by specialising in foosball tables, so it's safe to say that this is one of our favourite subjects. With foosball tables priced for as low as $300 to as much as $5000, we'll show you what to look out for while searching for your perfect foosball table in this comprehensible buying guide.   Options to Select: Kid-Sized or Adult-Sized Table? Let's begin with this question: Is this table for a child (< 10 years old) or for an adult? This is the most important question to begin with, as all tables in the market can be segregated into either one of these sizes. Kid-sized tables are smaller, shorter and lighter, and are therefore not meant to be used for adults. The table below will help you find out which category a particular foosball table falls into. Our Recommendation? It's really simple. If it's meant for adult usage, you need an adult table. Kid-sized tables are lightweight and are not meant to take the impact of adult's playing force and gameplay. Kid-sized tables may be less costly, but it won't matter if you have to replace it after two months. If space is a constraint and you need an adult table, then choose a proper adult table that is foldable like the Garlando Champion. While most foldable tables are made for kids (again, you will know simply by looking at it's weight), the Garlando Champion is a very competent foldable table that is fully suitable for adult usage. If you're still unsure about sizes and dimensions, take a look at our space guide on foosball tables.   What's Your Usage Level? Another question to ask yourself is your usage level. Knowing your usage level and being realistic and honest about it can help you pick a foosball table that is just right for you. The objective really is to settle on a table that will suit you for years and years, and not one that you might outgrow in 3 months. Here are a few examples of common usage levels to think about. • Space Constraint Homes • Family Usage • Training Usage • Daily Office Usage • Outdoor Usage Depending on your type of usage, different models in the market are well suited for different kinds of usage. For example, homes with space constraints should be looking at a foldable table (as covered above), while someone with a keen interest in getting good at foosball should look at an ITSF training table. Most professional manufacturers like Garlando, Bonzini or Tornado will have high quality tables fulfilling different purposes and usage level. Look at each range in detail or if you're not feeling the research, speak to a product specialist to get a recommendation tailored to you. Our Recommendation? Once you know what sort of usage you're looking at, make sure to choose the right tables for the right purpose. It's critical for places with very high usage - like offices, schools - to look for tables that are sturdier. ITSF approved tables will be the ideal pick for such usage level.   Choose Between the Table Brands After you've sorted the two questions above, it's time to look at a few brands in the market for your table of choice. Just like when shopping for a camera, you would look at the big brands like Canon, Nikon & Sony, it is no different when looking for a foosball table. Our advice is this: stick to the well-reviewed brands for foosball tables, they may be slightly pricier but will play much better while lasting longer. If you actually spend time on the run-of-the-mill tables, and then with tables from the big brands, you will realise it's a comparison between toys and proper tables. We will now run through 3 professional brands available in Singapore that are used in the ITSF World Championships.   Garlando - Italy Garlando tables are made in Alessandria, Italy, and are home to the largest manufacturer in the world for foosball tables. European styled with a 1-man goalie and side ramps, Garlando tables provide gameplay that is best described as fast-paced with great control. The key quality in Garlando tables would be the moplen unbreakable figurines, which guarantees that these figurines on the playing surface are 100% unbreakable. Garlando also has the largest range and inventory of parts, with tables for practically every kind of usage. Key Feature Unique to This Brand: One key feature that is unique to Garlando foosball tables is their telescopic rods. The telescopic rod design is a safety feature that makes Garlando foosball tables particularly appealing, especially for families with young children or in environments where safety is a priority. With the telescopic rods, the ends of the rods do not protrude from the opposite side of the table, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries during gameplay.   Bonzini - France Widely known by enthusiasts as the world's number 1 brand for football tables, Bonzini tables are characterised by their incredible built-for-lifetime durability. This foosball table from Paris is amongst the most exquisite out there, with tables fully handcrafted to superior excellence. Bonzini gameplay is well characterised for providing the best control among any other brands due to the use of linoleum in the playing field. Key Feature Unique to This Brand: The key feature that is unique to Bonzini foosball tables is their iconic player figures, known as the "Bonzini men" or "Bonzini players." These player figures are distinct in design and construction, setting Bonzini foosball tables apart from other foosball tables on the market. With their rounded feet and colorful uniforms, playing foosball is just as fun as it is visually appealing. Read More: We also just did a review on the Bonzini B90, which is a superior model you should check out if you're eyeing this brand.   Tornado - U.S.A Another brand that is very well-liked by enthusiasts, Tornado produces quality foosball tables and is best known for their American-styled game-play. The table is played with 3-men goalies, which eliminates the requirements of ramps, and is liked by some players. Tornado figurines are known to have wider feet, which allows them to catch passes better than other tables. Tornado tables are characterised by great control with slower gameplay. Key Feature Unique to This Brand: Tornado foosball tables allow players to customize the level of grip or "foos" of the player figures by adjusting the level of silicone used on the rods. This customization allows players to tailor the table's performance to their playing style. At the same time, it sets them apart from other foosball tables and contributes to their popularity among serious foosball players and for the different kinds of professional tournaments.   Our Recommendation? Do your research, and look at the professional brands that specialises in Foosball, like the 3 mentioned above. After all, brands that are used in tournaments are specially approved for heavy usage, and it tells a lot. Lastly, always try one out in person if possible. Every table is different in the playing experience, and you definitely should try it to see if you like it before you select one.   Picking Your Foosball Tables: The Final Word Choosing your first foosball table can be intimidating. There are so many options to choose from! But when you know your preferences and purpose of buying, it'll be easier to find the foosball table that works for you and your home. Know your purpose, usage level, and brand preferences, and you're good to choose to your heart's content.   Ready to Spice Up Your Custom Game Room? Now that we've come to the conclusion of this quick guide, if you're following closely, you can be assured that you're on track to the right foosball table purchase. If you however, would like to speak to a specialist in foosball, do feel free to visit us in our showroom or contact us here. We can also speak to you about other big boy toys, including hockey tables, tennis tables, and arcade machines, that we have in our catalog. Meanwhile, happy exploring the rest of our Foosball Table range!

Did you know that there are different types of foosball tables? Here in our retail showroom, when we have people dropping by to look for a foosball table, we tend to have a conversation along this line: Customer: Hello, I'm here to look for foosball tables.TMC: Right. Do you know what sort of table you're looking for?Customer: *Blank look followed by a moment's silence*Customer: THERE'S MORE THAN ONE TYPE??? Well, there sure is! Foosball is played in many countries each with their preferred type of table. With varying 'foosball nationalism', you can imagine that there are more than just a handful of different types. Therefore, it's time for The Foosball Aficionados to set the record straight with 5 of the most prominent types of tables available in the world. In this article, we'll also highlight each of their unique features and benefits to help you make an informed choice when selecting the perfect table for your gaming pleasure.   Foosball Tables List: The Types and Styles to Look Out for 1. Italian (Garlando, Roberto Sport, FAS) Unlike the actual Italian Men's team, Italian foosball, also known as Calcio Balilla in Italy, is played at a really quick pace and some local rules even consider it a foul if the ball stops in the table for a split second. More emphasis is placed on reflex & speed of thought as opposed to calculated control, which means that proper Italian tables are often found to be equipped with a glass playfield, tinier figurines, and lighter rods. Moreover, Italian foosball tables are typically constructed using high-quality materials such as solid hardwood, stainless steel, and tempered glass. These materials ensure the tables' sturdiness and longevity, making them suitable for both home and commercial use. As a result, the Italian sort of gameplay is an exciting, varied, and suitable for players of all skill levels. These are also why many Italian foosball tables are built to meet international tournament standards, making them a popular choice for professional players and foosball enthusiasts who participate in competitive events. For a more in-depth understanding of what Italian foosball tables offer, you can check out our review on the Garlando Pro Champion, one of the best models in this category.   2. French Tables (Bonzini, Sulpie) Ask any Frenchmen what a good football table is, and the unequivocal response is the ' Babyfoot'. That refers to the french style of table—heavy aluminium figurines, rubbery playfield, and light cork balls. And of course, in French colours! Another characteristic to note about these foosball tables is that are generally smaller and more compact compared to other foosball tables. Thus, they are designed to fit in smaller spaces, making them ideal for homes, bars, cafes, and other social environments. All these factors contribute to gameplay that is unmatched in ball control and is extremely skill-driven. As a side, authentic French tables are always built by master craftsmen and are known to be the most durable tables in the world. On another note, French foosball tables typically feature a single-goalie setup, meaning there is only one goalie player on each goal line. This differs from American-style foosball tables that often have a three-goalie configuration.   3. American Tables (Tornado, Shelti) The only kind of tables to offer 13 figurines a-side on a playfield as opposed to 11 a-side, American tables are most favored by you guessed it - Americans. Typically played on a plastic laminated playfield with wide-foot figurines, the emphasis is on passing the ball and in this regard, American tables are amongst the best. Many American foosball tables also have ramped corners, which prevent the ball from getting stuck in the corners and ensure a continuous flow of the game. At the same time, the playing surface is usually covered with rubber bumpers, providing a better grip on the ball and reducing dead spots. Gameplay, as a result of the larger feet and playing surface bumpers, becomes a slower-paced affair and, in our opinion, is more catered to enthusiasts with a specific liking for slower, controlled gameplay. 4. German Tables (Leonhart, Carromco, Tecball) Another major style of play, German foosball is a blend of American's sports pragmatism coupled with European finesse. Designed very similarly to Americans, German figurines feel lighter than its American inspiration, which lends to better pinning as a result. German foosball tables, with their solid construction, precision engineering, and smooth gameplay, have undeniably earned a reputation for excellence in the world of foosball. The use of telescopic rods, counterbalanced players, and optional goalie configurations as key characteristics make these tables suitable for players of all skill levels. Additionally, many German foosball tables come with counterbalanced players, where the players' figures are weighted to stay horizontal when released. This feature allows for improved ball control and passing. The way to sum of this style of game-play is moderately fast, with good control and a more consistent/ predictable game-play. So, if you value precision and durability in your foosball table, a German foosball table may be the ideal choice to elevate your gaming experience.   5. Spanish Tables (RS Barcelona) Spanish football tables' characteristic dimensions are wholly unique and heavily inspired by Spanish men's football which considers the midfield to be the domineering aspect. As a result, its foosball tables slopes towards the middle in a "U" shape. This ensures that the midfield gets most of the balls, while the back pins are utilised as the primary way of controlling the ball. Interesting, but it can be tough to get used to! Mirroring soccer, Spanish tables have metal players separated by two feet instead of a single toe. Its playing surfaces may come in glass and acrylic, too. So, if you're looking for a more challenging way to play your foosball, these tables are the way to go. Foosball Tables: In Conclusion Now that you know the different styles, so what? It's important to consider what style suits your preference as this is the best way to get long-term value out of your purchase. Tables with faster, exhilarating gameplay are generally better choices for homes and offices, while people looking for a unique experience should go for the Spanish style. Here, we sum up our general rule of thumb for the foosball tables and their unique feature characteristic: Most Exhilarating Gameplay: Italian Most Durable Table: FrenchBest Ball Control: French Most Versatile Style: German/ Italian Most Suitable for Specific Training: American Most Unique Table: Spanish  We hope this guide has given you a good base of knowledge about the types of foosball table there are in the market. If you'd like to explore some of the brands that we've gone through, check out our range of foosball tables here which features practically all the styles of tables covered. We also have a list of standard foosball rules. In any case, nothing beats experiencing all these different tables in person. And the best way to do so? Visit our showroom and feel inspired by the number of choices available on-hand for you to get your hands on!