Human Foosball – Ultimate Guide – Imagine Playing Real Life Foosball!

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What Is Human Foosball

Human Foosball is what you may expect, a cross between the game of Foosball and the game of Football (Soccer). It is a “Human Foosball Game” or “Lifesize Foosball”.

Some of you may think “But Soccer is the human version of Foosball”, and of course you would be right! Foosball was initially developed as a version of soccer, but it was played on a tabletop, and only by two players.

Human Foosball is played by two teams of players, each Foosball player on the pitch played by an actual person. The difference between this game and the actual game of soccer is that the human players are attached to each other by a bar of some sort, so have to remain a fixed distance apart.

Also, the bars are connected to the side of the playing area so they can only move in one direction. (Or if this is not possible, then there are some chalk or tape lines which the players must stay upon) Below is a YouTube video of people playing Human Foosball on a cheap homemade pitch

Who Invented Human Foosball

Human foosball was first heard of in the 1970s and played on small homemade pitches with rudimentary poles. It started becoming more popular in the 2000s.

Human Foosball Rental

A human foosball pitch is a significant construction and can take a long time to build. If you just want to try the game, you can now rent Human Foosball Pitches; this includes the pitch, rods and balls. All you need to do is supply the people and the beer — an excellent team building exercise.

DIY Human Foosball

There many ways to play human foosball, as long as you have a pitch with borders and fix players, you can emulate the Foosball game. Some common ideas are below.

Human Foosball In A Gym

A gym is ideal for human foosball as it is a space with a wall to stop the ball from going out of play. The Foosball court size will be whatever size the gym is, and tape (or similar) lines need to be laid out, on which the players must remain.

Human Foosball With Chairs

A fixed area with walls to keep the ball in play must be manufactured. The chairs are placed as on a foosball pitch. The gaps between the players need to be smaller as the players are going to be stationary, and the ball must be reachable at all times. Suitable when some players do not have the best mobility.

Human Foosball With Rope

A fixed area with walls to keep the ball in play must be manufactured. The players must be joined or hold a rope. As the players move up and down their line, there is a maximum distance apart they can be, but they will move closer together, as a rope does not force a minimum distance apart for the player.

Human Foosball PVC Pipe (Or Similar)

Again, a fixed area with walls to keep the ball in play must be manufactured. The players are attached to or must hold the pipe. This type of Human Foosball is the most similar to the actual game of Foosball, as the players must all move in unison.

Human Foosball Rules

• Human Foosball is the real-life equivalent to tabletop Foosball, played with genuine people, a soccer ball and in an enclosed pitch.

• Two teams compete for a specified period to score the most goals, or you can play the first team to reach an allotted number of goals (e.g. 10)

• Each side has six players, in three rows that are facing the opponents:
     o One goalie
     o Three midfielders
     o Two attackers

• Teams are allowed up to two substitutes, who may only substitute in the breaks in the game

• Six poles are laid across the pitch. Players in each row to move along the pole, but not up and down the court.

• The game is played in two halves of a specified period. Or until a team reaches a certain number of goals.

• At halftime, the teams switch sides

• The game starts with a neutral person rolling the ball between the midfield players

• The players have to keep both hands on the bar at all times

• The game is played until a goal is scored, the time runs out, or a penalty is given

• Players can only move laterally from side to side. They must not attempt to run up and down the field.

• At halftime, and during penalties, substitution of players can be made

• If a penalty is awarded, the gameplay stops and the ball is given to the side that was awarded the penalty. The advantage is played, if the team that was given the penalty is about to score, or it is to their advantage, the gameplay continues.

• Penalties occur when:
     o Someone takes one or more hands off the bar
     o The foosball goes over the height of the bars the players are attached to
     o The ball goes out of play
     o There is contact with an opponent on the other side
     o One side tried to deliberately delay the game

• If hands are removed off the bar to stop a goal, the goal is awarded

• When a goal is scored, the ball is given to the midfield of the side who had the goal scored against them.

• When a penalty is awarded, the ball is given to the midfield of the none offending side

• The game is over when the time expires, or the specified number of goals is reached

• The game officials will provide the final score.

Print/Download Human Foosball Rules