Foosball Defence: A Guide to the Goalkeeper and Defenders
In foosball, matches are usually won by a solid defence rather than by attack. The back line of the goalkeeper and two defenders both stops goals and starts attacks. This guide covers the basics of defence, from positioning and reading the shot to trapping and passing the ball.
What defence is for
Good defence is not about hitting the ball as far away as possible but about bringing it under control and handing it to the right rod. The goalkeeper and the defence count as one area; when you control the ball instead of clearing it, you end the danger and start your own attack at the same time.
Positioning: cover the goal mouth
The goalkeeper and the two defenders stand in front of the goal together. When you slide the rods towards the side the ball is on, do not leave a wide gap between them: the defenders should cover the flanks and the goalkeeper the shot coming through the middle. While the other team brings the ball forward on its midfield rod, get your rods ready level with the ball.
Instead of moving your rods from side to side all the time, make short, clear moves towards where the ball is going. Once the shot has gone it is almost impossible to get there; what matters is being in the right place before it.
Reading the shot
Where the other player's figure stands in relation to the ball, and the angle of the rod, give the direction of the shot away. A figure being pulled back means a hard shot is coming; a rod sliding sideways makes an angled shot likely. When you see those signs, get your rod ready for that side in advance.
If your opponent keeps taking the same shot, it is enough to wait with the goalkeeper on that line. Against someone who varies the shot, try stopping your rods at the critical moment instead of moving them all the time.
Stop the ball, then pass it
When you win the ball, do not hit it blindly. You can trap it under a figure and drag it sideways, look at how the other team is lined up and release it at the right moment. Remember the time limit, though: the goalkeeper and the two defenders are one area, which may hold the ball for 15 seconds at most, with the last five seconds shown on the scoreboard. If time runs out, the ball is served from the other team's midfield.
- Get your rod level with the ball before it arrives
- If you can stop the ball, do not hit it at once
- Release it or pass before time runs out
- Do not shoot straight from defence; pass safely to midfield first
Use the goalkeeper wisely
The goalkeeper is a single figure and cannot cover the whole goal mouth alone, so position it to close the gap between the defenders. A goal scored by the goalkeeper counts too; if the other goal is left open, a long shot sometimes pays off.
If the ball is left trembling where nobody can reach it, in a corner for example, a Shake the table button appears after about two seconds; the space bar does the same. A goal scored right after a shake does not count.
Questions about foosball defence
Which matters more, the goalkeeper or the defenders?
They work as one unit. The defenders cover the flanks and the goalkeeper covers the middle; if one is out of place, a gap opens in the goal mouth.
Which keys do I use in defence?
A/D or ← → slides the rod, the 1 and 2 keys select the goalkeeper and the defence, and Q/E switch rods. With automatic selection the rod nearest the ball is active.
How long can I hold the ball in defence?
The goalkeeper and defenders are one area and may hold the ball for 15 seconds at most. When time runs out the ball is served from the other team's midfield.
What if the ball gets stuck in a corner?
After about two seconds a Shake the table button appears (or press the space bar). Each team has three shakes a match, and if nobody shakes, the table shakes itself after five seconds.
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