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Before
you buy, get informed.
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<<< Styles
of Play
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Styles
of Play
Several
styles of play are common in competitive foosball. The hard court, grass
court and clay court styles of tennis make for a good analogy for the
styles of play in foosball.
- American/Texas
Style: “Hard Court" Foosball is known for its speed and power style
of play. It combines a hard man with a hard perfect rolling ball and
a hard flat surface, which enables precise/consistent positioning of
the ball. Excellent lateral control in maneuvering the ball beneath
the rod makes for awesome Pull, Push and Kick Shots. Tic-Tac Series
and Power Passing are signatures of American style. Its most controversial
trademark feature is the 3-man goalie rod. The American-made Tornado
brought this style of play into popularity.
- European/German
Style: "Grass Court" Foosball is characterized best by its enhanced
ball control – particularly in the “pinned” position. This is achieved
by softening of components that make up the important man/ball/surface
interaction. Improved feel or touch is often used to describe this style
of table. Euro style of play is known for the Front-pin series, Back-pin
series, Reverses, Bank shots and Razzle Dazzle type shots. The Tournament
Soccer brand table of the 70's and early 80's made this style popular
in the US. The 2001 product offering from Shelti (their
pro foos series) captures some of the best of this style of play -
while maintaining great American style lateral control and speed as
well.
- European/French
Style: "Clay Court" Foosball is on the opposite end of the spectrum
from American style. It features heavy (non-balanced) men, and a very
light and soft cork ball. Add to that a soft linoleum surface and you
have a feel best described as sticky. Great for finesse style front-pin
series complete with every option/fake imaginable…and then some. The
US got its first taste of French Style on the Rene Pierre Table in 1970
– but with lack of promotions it didn't really expand much.
Since 2000, there's been some growth in French style of play again now
that the original French foos table line (Bonzini) is available in the
U.S.
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