The Kick Babyfoot Association: Evolution

In the early days of Café Kick (born 1997 in Exmouth market) an informal group developed, sharing an enthusiasm for table football, meeting daily for some games at the Café.

With the birth of Bar Kick in Shoreditch six years later, there was space for enthusiasm to grow into passion. On Thursday nights, players would gather at the two centre tables upstairs to enjoy a series of Doubles ‘Winner Stays On’ games. Placing a coin in a tray on either side of the table, players simply wait their turn to challenge the winners of the last game. In the new bigger venue, the inclusiveness of the game was emphasised, as onlookers gathered naturally and joined the action in a relaxed fashion without pressure. Very soon, the Thursday nights were drawing a dedicated player base, large enough to justify monthly competitions to decide Number One players in a fair and uncontroversial way. The British Foosball Association (BFA *1) started to include the tournament results in their overall ranking, and Kick players were invited to participate in babyfoot events across the UK.

The breakthrough came in 2004 when Britain was represented for the first time by KBA in the Bonzini World Cup Series in Paris. Thrilled and inspired, the KBA players brought their experiences and knowledge back to Bar Kick and have been representing Britain in the Series every year since.

Several years on, the KBA is now catering for different levels of play, with two distinct monthly events. Open Doubles (register with partner) for intermediate/advanced players, is where you get to play against the best baby-footers in the UK. ‘Just for Fun’ Sundays: Draw Your Partner (D.Y.P.) is for entry/intermediate players. This is always very popular, and the most fun event out there, with many mixed teams.

The KBA is established as the home of babyfoot in the UK and has friends across the table football world: including Farid Lounas, president of the International Table Football Federation; and Tony Spreadman, undisputed US No. 1 superstar foosball player; both wear the KBA dog tag!
In September 2009 the KBA held a BFA-sanctioned National Tournament. The next step for the KBA is to organise a sanctioned ITSF (*4) ‘Pro-tour’ event in London in June/July during the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

Tournament Rules

An Introduction to the standard international rules.

Have Fun!! These simplified rules are designed to improve your enjoyment of the game. Official ITSF tournament rules are more complex, and can be found at www.table-soccer.org
To Start a Match and Subsequent Kick-Offs
1. The winner of the coin toss can choose side of table or kick-off.
2. The loser of the toss has the other choice.
3. The team that conceded the last goal has the next kick-off.
4. Start play with the ball stationary on the midfield (5-rod). Ask if your opponent is ready to play. The ball must then be passed to, and touch, at least one other player figure on the same rod. Then wait for at least 1 second before passing or shooting.
Restart
1. Sometimes the game needs to be restarted. For example, after a dead ball, after the ball has left the table or after a time out.
2. Start play with the ball stationary on the appropriate rod. Ask if your opponent is ready to play. The ball must be passed to, and touch, at least one other player figure on the same rod. Then wait for at least 1 second before passing or shooting.
Ball Off the Table
1. The ball is off the table if it leaves the playing area - defined as the area inside the cabinet or directly above it.
2. Play is restarted on the 2-rod of the defender which did not initiate the most recent shot by following the restart procedure.
3. Intentional aerial shots are not allowed and will result in loss of possession to the opposing midfield.
Dead Ball
1. The ball is dead when it is stopped and cannot be reached by any player figure.
2. If the ball is dead between opposing 5-rods then the ball should be given to the team which conceded the last goal and they should follow the restart procedure from their 5-rod.
3. If the ball goes dead anywhere else then the ball is given to the defender nearest the ball and they will follow the restart procedure from their 2-rod.
Time Out
1. Each team is allowed 2 time outs per game of up to 30 seconds each.
2. Either team can call a time out if the ball is not in play.
3. If the ball is in play then only the team in possession may call a time out. The ball must be stationary when the time out is called.
4. After the time out the team in possession will call time in and follow the restart procedure with the ball starting in its current position.
Goal Scored
1. Goals can be scored with any player figure on any rod.
2. If the ball enters the goal and bounces out again it counts as a goal.
3. If a team scores a goal while violating a rule then the goal will not count unless it is an own goal.
Table Sides
1. At the end of each game either team can insist on switching sides of the table.
2. A maximum of 90 seconds is allowed between games.
Change of Positions
1. In doubles, the players in a team may only switch positions between goals, during a time out or for a technical foul.
Spinning the Rods
1. Spinning the rods is illegal.
2. A spin is defined as the rotation of any player figure more than 360 degrees before OR after striking the ball.
3. If you spin, the ball goes to your opponent’s midfield, unless you scored, in which case it goes to your opponent’s defence.
Jarring
1. Any jarring, sliding or lifting of the table is illegal.
Reset
1. If a player has the ball set up to shoot or pass and the ball is unintentionally moved by the opponents due to jarring or shaking the rods then the official will call “reset” and will reset the rod possession time (and number of walls used when passing).
2. Any movement of the ball may be considered grounds for a reset (example, a ball rocking in place).
3. Upon hearing “reset” the defender should not relax but remain on defence because play has not been suspended.
Reaching Into the Playing Area
1. It is illegal for a player to reach into the play area while the ball is in play without first having permission from the referee, or if no referee is present, by the opposing team.
Distraction
1. Any movement or sound made away from the rod where the ball is in play may be judged as a distraction. No point made as a result of a distraction will count.
Language
1. Unsporting comments and/or foul or abusive language are not allowed.
Passing
1. Restrictions apply when passing from the 5-rod to the 3-rod and from defence to the 5-rod.
  1. Once a ball has clearly stopped and is not immediately passed it must be passed between at least 2 player figures before it can be legally passed.
  2. If a ball is pinned to the playfield or wall by a player figure then it must touch at least one more player figure before being legally passed.
  3. If the ball touches the front or back of the player figure prior to the motion of a pass it must touch a second player figure before it can be legally caught on the 3-rod (or 5-rod when passing from defence). However, if the ball hits the front or back of the player figure on the initial contact from another rod it can be legally passed with the same player figure.
2. During possession on the 5-rod the ball may not be played off the wall more than twice. Intercepting the ball on the wall does not count as one of these 2.
Time of Possession
1. Possession is defined as the ball being within reach of a player figure.
2. Possession shall be limited to 10 seconds on the 5-rod and 15 seconds on all other rods.
3. The Goalie rod and the 2-rod are considered as one rod for this rule.
Penalties
1. The most common penalties for violating these and other rules are:
  (1) A warning
  (2) Resetting time limits
  (3) Loss of possession
  (4) Technical foul and
  (5) Loss of point
  (6) Loss of game
  (7) Loss of match.