“Ready?” before play
Before the ball is put into play after a start or interruption, the team in possession asks “Ready?”. The opening sequence begins only after the “Ready!” response.
Understand table football
Table football rules in 2 minutes
You do not need to memorise 40 pages for your first tournament night. Here are the rules that most often matter at the table, based on the ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules Version 2.0.
The essentials first
These six rules are enough to get started
At open training or the No-Pro we will help you directly at the table. This overview is mainly here so the most common situations already feel familiar.
Rod possession time
You may control the ball for up to 15 seconds on the goalie rods and 3-rod, and up to 10 seconds on the 5-rod.
No illegal spin
A controlled transition is illegal if the rod rotates more than 360 degrees before or after contact with the ball.
Passes from 5 to 3
A stopped, pinned or adjusted ball may not be passed directly or indirectly from the 5-rod to the 3-rod. The restriction is cleared by performing a transfer on the same rod.
Do not jar the table
Resets, jarring and other table or rod movements must not impair the opponent’s control of the ball.
Switching positions in doubles
Positions stay fixed during active play. Switching is allowed, among other times, during a time-out, between points or between games.
When you need more detail
The most common questions at the tournament table
How is the ball put into play?
At the start, a coin toss determines the choice of first kick-off or table side. A kick-off starts from the central figure of the 5-rod. After each goal, the team that conceded takes the next kick-off. The “Ready?” protocol applies before play resumes.
What happens with a dead ball?
If the ball is unreachable between the two 5-rods, play restarts with a kick-off. If it is unreachable behind a 5-rod, play restarts from the nearest goalie rod.
What happens if the ball leaves the table?
A ball is off table if it leaves the playing area and, for example, touches the floor, wall, ceiling or a person outside the table. It is then put back into play from the relevant goalie rod of the other team.
How do time-outs work?
Each team has two time-outs per game. A time-out lasts up to 30 seconds. The maximum pause is 5 seconds between points and 90 seconds between games.
What are reset, jarring and distraction?
The rules protect the opponent’s control and attention. A reset impairs the ball-handler’s control, jarring impairs retaining or gaining possession, and a distraction pulls an opponent’s attention away from play.
May I reach into the table?
During active play you may not simply reach into the playing area. Touching the ball generally requires permission from the referee or, without a referee, the opposing team. Clearly dead balls have specific exceptions.
Quick guide or full rules?
When in doubt, use the full rules
This overview is deliberately simplified. The ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules Version 2.0 cover standard singles and doubles. Tournament format, dress code and other event conditions may additionally be defined by the event announcement.
Source for the detailed rules: ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules, Version 2.0, December 2023.
Easiest at the table
Reading rules helps. Playing is easier.
At open training and the No-Pro we explain the important rules directly in the situation where they matter.