packeroopackeroo
Log in Create your free league

League

Play

Keep it going

Start your league in three stepsCreate a league, invite your team, start playing.Ideas and wishesSend us your idea or report a bug.Share an idea

Who it’s for

Get started

Contact

packeroo only stores what your league needs. Questions about data protection? We are happy to answer them personally.
The more AI does the work, the more the team matters.packeroo gets you round the table. Free, for every team.Office league kitAnnouncement, QR poster and house rules. Free, no sign-up.Open the kit

Rules and play

Foosball at work

Tools

NewTournament generatorFixtures for your Christmas Cup: type in the names, pick a format, play.All guidesRules, tips and tricks for the table.Go to the guides

Foosball schoolLesson 1 of 6: The basicsLevel: Beginnerpackeroo team

Foosball for beginners: ball control step by step

Contents
  1. Why ball control matters
  2. 3 steps to better ball control
  3. Common ball control mistakes
  4. Tip for advanced players
  5. Lunch-break drill (5 minutes)
  6. What the rules say
  7. Challenge your colleagues

Before you can shoot, you need the ball. Ball control means you put the ball where you want it, and it stays there. That takes a relaxed hand, not strength. Every shot builds on it, from the pull shot to the snake.

Why ball control matters

  • You lose the ball less often when the other side puts you under pressure.
  • You can set the ball up exactly where you need it for your shot.
  • You play with more calm. Whoever controls the ball sets the pace.

3 steps to better ball control

The figure pins the ball against the playing surface, the hand holds the handle loosely

Step 1: Pin the ball

Pin the ball between the figure and the playing surface. The toe of the figure sits on top of the ball. Hold the handle with a loose hand. You are holding it, not strangling it.

A light tap on the ball moves it forwards

Step 2: Tap the ball forwards

Tap the ball very lightly with the figure. The movement comes from your wrist and stays small. The ball rolls a little way forwards. Pin it again with the same figure.

A light wipe over the ball moves it back

Step 3: Wipe the ball back

Wipe the figure lightly over the ball, from front to back. The ball rolls back towards you. Same rule here: keep the movement small and pin the ball again straight away.

Common ball control mistakes

  • You press too hard. The ball squirts out from under the figure.
  • The movement is too big. The ball rolls too far and the other side can take it.
  • You look at your hand instead of the ball. Your hand will find the handle on its own.

Tip for advanced players

Pass the ball from one figure to the next. Wipe right over the ball and let it roll at the end of the movement. Catch it with the next figure along and send it back with the same movement. Once you can do that ten times without a mistake, you have the basis for every pass.

Lunch-break drill (5 minutes)

  1. 1 minute: Pin the ball on the 3-bar, release it, pin it again. As often as you can.
  2. 2 minutes: Tap forwards, wipe back, one after the other. The ball must not leave the figure.
  3. 2 minutes: Pass the ball back and forth between two figures. Whoever on the team manages the longest run without a mistake wins.

What the rules say

Ball control has no rule of its own. It becomes important on the 5-bar: a ball that has been stopped or pinned there may not be passed straight forward. It has to be moving again first (ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules, version 2.0, section 11 "Passing"). More on this in the wall pass.

Source: ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules (PDF)

Challenge your colleagues

You notice good ball control in a real game, when the other side no longer rattles you. Set up a free league for your office in packeroo, log your games and watch how your record develops.

Create your free league