British Foosball Association

How To Play Table Football - The Rules

Abbreviated Tornado Rules

The BFA has adopted the official VIFA/USTSA Tornado rules for all BFA Tornado ranking tournaments. Whilst they are comprehensive and well established, they can appear daunting to the novice reader, and so the BFA has produced an abbreviated set to help beginners become familiar with the spirit of the Tornado game.

1. To Start a Match

1. The winner of a coin toss can choose side of table or to serve first
2. The loser of the toss has the other choice and must pay for the first game
3. The team that conceded the last goal has the next serve
4. The player serving the ball is allowed to serve the ball towards his/her own player figures

2. Restart

1. Sometimes the game needs to be restarted without the ball being served For example, after a dead ball, after a time out or in some circumstances after the ball has left the table To restart, initially the ball must be stationary, and then passed from one player figure to another, where it must remain motionless for 1 second before play can begin

3. Ball Off the Table

1. If the ball leaves the table then it will usually be re-served by the team with the serve The exception to this is when the ball leaves the table as a result of a play from the 2-rod of the team with the serve In this case the game is restarted from that team's 2-rod

4. Dead Ball

1. The ball is dead when it is stopped and cannot be reached by any player figure
2. If the ball is dead between the 2-rods then it will be re-served
3. If the ball is dead between the goal and the 2-rod, then it will be put back into play by placing the ball at the nearest player figure and then play will be restarted

5. Time Out

1. Each team is allowed to call 2 time outs per game
2. If the ball is in play, a time out may be called by the team in possession of the ball and then only if the ball is stopped
3. Either team can call a time out if the ball is not in play
4. The time out lasts for a maximum of 30 seconds after which the team in possession will call time in and restart

6. Point Scored

1. Goals can be scored with any player figure on any rod
2. If the ball enters the goal and bounces out again it counts as a goal
3. If a team scores a goal while violating a rule then the goal will not count unless it is an own goal

7. Table Sides

1. At the end of each game the teams must switch sides of the table
2. A maximum of 60 seconds is allowed between games

8. Change of Positions

1. In any doubles event players may play only the two rods normally designated for their position
2. Players in a team may switch positions during a time out, between points or between goals

9. Spinning the Rods

1. Spinning the rods is illegal
2. A spin is defined as the rotation of any player figure more than 360 degrees before or after striking the ball

10. Jarring

1. Any jarring, sliding or lifting of the table is illegal

11. Reset

1. If a player has the ball set up to shoot or pass and the ball is unintentionally moved by the opponents due to jarring or shaking the rods then the official will call "reset" and will reset the rod possession time 
2. Any movement of the ball may be considered grounds for a reset (example, a ball rocking in place)
3. Upon hearing "reset" the defender should not relax but remain on defence because play has not been suspended

12. Reaching Into the Playing Area

1. It is illegal for a player to reach into the play area while the ball is in play without first having permission from the official, or if no official is present, by the opposing team

13. Distraction

1. Any movement or sound made away from the rod where the ball is in play may be judged as a distraction No point made as a result of a distraction will count

14. Language

1. Unsporting comments made directly or indirectly by a player are not allowed

15. Passing

1. Restrictions apply when passing from the 5-rod to the 3-rod and from defence to the 5-rod
2. Once a ball has clearly stopped and is not immediately passed it must touch at least 2 player figures before it can be legally passed
3. If a ball is pinned to the playfield or wall by a player figure then it must touch at least one more player figure before being legally passed
4. If the front or the back of a player figure touches the ball and then the same player figure passes the ball forward this is known as an adjustment and is illegal
5. During possession on the 5-rod the ball may not be played off the wall more than twice Intercepting the ball on the wall does not count as one of these 2

16. Time of Possession

1. The time limit on the 5-rod is 10 seconds
2. The time limit on all other rods is 15 seconds
3. The goalie and 2-rod are considered as a single rod for this purpose

17. Penalties

The most common penalties for violating these rules are:

• A warning
• Loss of possession
• Technical foul (free shot from the 3-bar)

Further penalties and other rule infractions that result in penalties are detailed in the Full Rules.