Doubles Foosball: Teamwork and Rod Sharing
Doubles foosball is a very different game from one against one: each player looks after two rods, and getting in tune with a teammate matters as much as being good alone. This guide covers how the rods are shared, how to split the roles and how to build a good partnership.
How are the rods split in 2v2?
In a team of two, one player takes the goalkeeper and defence, and the other takes midfield and attack. The host can change the split if they want: tapping a rod on a player's card hands it over to that player from their teammate, and nobody is left without a rod.
In a team of three the goalkeeper with defence, midfield and attack go to separate players; in a team of four each player takes a single rod.
Roles: the back player and the front player
The back player guards the goal, stops the ball and passes it safely to midfield. The front player carries the ball and takes the shot. Both roles are bound by the time limit on the ball: 15 seconds in the goalkeeper and defence area and 10 in midfield.
While the back player passes to midfield, the front player needs to have their rod ready. If you both wait for the ball at the same moment, it ends up between two figures; agree beforehand who will take it. Even a quick message to say a pass is coming helps.
- Back player (goalkeeper and defence): stop, control, pass to midfield
- Front player (midfield and attack): carry the ball, pass and shoot
- Keep the roles fixed through the match; playing the same role each match builds habits
Talking: quick messages
One-tap quick messages and reactions ('Pass!', 'Nice goal!', 'Rematch?') let you agree without interrupting the match; the message appears over the table and everyone in the room sees it. On a phone, the 💬 button opens them.
Playing on the same team as a friend
To end up on the same team as a friend, set up a party with Play with friends and send them the link. In a party of two, if you choose 2v2 you are on the same team and the opponents are strangers. In a party of three, two play together and one plays on the other side.
Ranked 2v2
In ranked 2v2, if you join the queue alone, the server pairs you with a partner of your level. If you want to join with a friend, the party must have exactly two signed-in players and the party leader must choose Ranked 2v2. Each player is rated with their own 2v2 rating against the other team's average, and the leaderboard has a separate list for 2v2.
Questions about team play
Who chooses the rods in 2v2?
By default one player takes the goalkeeper and defence and the other takes midfield and attack. The host can share the rods out between players again.
What happens if my teammate does not turn up?
After a short while the free seat is filled by a bot, and gives it up when a real player arrives. Matches with a bot are not written to statistics.
Is it possible to balance the teams?
Yes. The host can use an option that deals the players into teams by skill; ranked ratings are used for accounts and a starting rating for guests.
Can I play without being matched with strangers?
Yes. Set up a party with Play with friends: in a party of two, choosing 1v1 plays the match between the two of you, and in a party of four, 2v2 fills the whole table with your party.
Foosball Online is a real-time multiplayer foosball (table football) game that runs in your browser. No download and no sign-up needed: pick a nickname and you are at the table in seconds.
Play now