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From: uyeyama@hawaii.edu (Rob Uyeyama)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.table-soccer,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: rec.sport.table-soccer FAQ7 - Subbuteo
Followup-To: rec.sport.table-soccer
Reply-To: uyeyama@hawaii.edu,steved@tmx.mhs.oz.au
Organization: University of Hawaii
Summary: Frequently Asked Questions regarding Subbuteo
Keywords: table-soccer, table-football, subbuteo, rules
Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU
Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.mit.edu
Date: 26 May 2006 04:24:18 GMT
Lines: 782
NNTP-Posting-Host: penguin-lust.mit.edu
Archive-name: sports/table-soccer/subbuteo
Rec-sport-table-soccer-archive-name: subbuteo
Last-modified: 1996/09/25
Copyright: (c) 1995 Stephen Dettre
URL: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/subbuteo.txt
Version: 1.0b
All of the latest rec.sport.table-soccer FAQs are available at Foosball
Heaven's FAQ archive http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/foosball.html
****************************************
The Rec.sport.table-soccer
Subbuteo Frequently Asked Questions File
Version 1.0c 11/17/96
****************************************
by Stephen Dettre steved@tmx.mhs.oz.au Compuserve: 100351,1723
FISTF Web Page: http://speedy.udg.es/~GA5442/unofsub.html
(c) Copyright 1995 Stephen Dettre.
Edited by: Jon Henning Bergane 17/11-96 jonb@hotmail.com
__________
__________
by Robert Uyeyama (uyeyama@hawaii.edu)
Note: The Subbuteo Web Page which contains the latest
version of this file and many other Subbuteo links is located at:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/subbuteo.html
The FISTF Rules of play are archived at Foosball Heaven at
The American Subbuteo Association's Rules of Play are archived at
Foosball Heaven at http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/asarules.html. These
Note that although this file was written by the FISTF,
ASA: http://pages.prodigy.com/subbuteo
ASA news: http://members.aol.com/ASASUB/
MM Sports: http://members.aol.com/mmspt (The official product
sponsor and supplier of Subbuteo accessories, teams and club
announces the arrival of new teams. Such National Teams as
Germany, Italy, and Brazil. Club teams like Juventus, Arsenal
and
Manchester United. To catch up on what is available and how to
order, check this out!
Also you may e-mail Don Maldonado of the ASA at
subbuteo@prodigy.com
Some other web pages:
Foosball Heaven's subbuteo links page:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/subbuteo.html
From France, see La page Web du club de football de table
de Caen at: http://www.cpod.com/monoweb/subbuteo/
A Brazilian Subbuteo Page is at: http://kiwi.futuris.net/brazil/subbuteo/
From the UK, see The University of Surrey (UK) Electrical Engineering
Subbuteo Football Association at:
http://orc.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Societies/Subbuteo/
Co-author Jon Henning's Table Football Home Page is at:
http://www.yi.com/home/BerganeJon/tf/
The FISTF web page is listed below, next to the author, Stephen Dettre.
_______________________________________________________
________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
________________
__________________________
__________________________
Q: What is Subbuteo?
A: Subbuteo is the brand name of a form of table soccer that
Adolph. His game was a refinement and development of a previous
table soccer game that had been first introduced in 1920. That
attached to the back of the base, extending through the back of
the goal, which allowed manipulation to save shots.
The NewFooty figures were made of lacquered cardboard which
flick and they had to be spread around the pitch because they
could not be flicked very far. As well, the figurines were all
left wing and not used as a centre half.
of the new materials that started to be available after the war
- plastic!
His figures were hard cardboard inserted into a plastic base
These figures -- known as 'flats' -- were the basis of the game
them to be 'curled' around opposing figures to touch the ball.
A variety of 00-scale and two dimensional figures are now
available.
The basic principle of Subbuteo was dramatically different from
all other table soccer games at that time, and even to this
ball with his figures, and the ball did not roll out, or touch
an opposing figure, then he retained possession. Each figure
could only be flicked three times in succession. The another
figure had to be used. However, you could flick one figure,
flick another, then flick the original. All being done, of
course, as long as the figure touched the ball. The attacker
also dictated the pace of the game.
The defender did not have to sit by and idly watch. For every
attacking flick that hit the ball, the defender could have a
figure, nor the ball, but could plug gaps in your defence, or
try and force the attacker's path away from the goal.
The method of flicking was achieved without using the thumb or
any other finger as a 'spring'. Instead, spring or 'purchase'
and more firm flicks allowed shooting.
Each team was composed of 10 field figures and a goalkeeper.
The pitch was originally made from a woollen ex-army blanket,
Another distinction of Subbuteo was that a player could only
Q: Where does the name Subbuteo come from?
A: When Peter Adolph was ready to patent his game, he went to
the British patents office with the idea of calling it 'The
Hobby'. Of course, they said no way to that name, because
everyone has a hobby and he could scarcely lay claim to an
exclusive title. So he went away and dreamed up a new name. Mr
Adolph was a keen ornithologist, and his favourite bird just
this bird was Falco Subbuteo -- so Mr Adolph chose the name
Subbuteo for his game. And the falcon has been on all Subbuteo
or other had the falcon head on their crest.
Q: Are there professional players?
A: No. Subbuteo table soccer is an amateur sport, and there are
mainly just trophies for winners. However, some of the bigger
tournaments have subsidised the transport costs of top flight
What does exist is a tournament circuit, where the best players
from around the world compete. There are 12 Grand Prix
tournaments -- one in Australia, and 11 in Europe. There are
also 17 International Opens and dozens of other smaller
tournaments.
tournaments.
For those who don't want to play in these tournaments, there is
always the enjoyment of Subbuteo at home with family, friends
and colleagues.
Q: What Subbuteo Organisations exist around the world?
A: Subbuteo is organised on an international competition level
by the world federation, The Federation of International Sports
Table Football. This federation controls:
* The World Cup, staged every two years, in even years (1994,
* The European Championships, staged every two years, in odd
years
* The Europa Cup, staged every year, for Club teams
* International matches between national teams
classifications:
* Open
* Youth (Under 20)
* Junior (Under 16)
* Veterans (Over 35)
* Female (All ages)
* National team.
A national team or club team is composed of four players .
A team match pits the four players from one side against four
from another. A victory in a match gives that player's side one
nternational is 4-0. Other possible results are 3-0, 2-0, 1-0,
Q: What is the address of the International Federation?
A: The International Federation's headquarters are in France.
There are separate directorates relating to Sports matters,
Media and Communications, Finance, Marketing. For general
nquiries, please contact the Media Director first, and you
The relevant addresses are:
FISTF President:
Raymond Kroonberg
Rue du Buck 14
BELGIUM
FISTF Vice President:
Baudouin Heuninckx
Avenue de la Chasse 195
BELGIUM
Fax: 00 32 732 78 29
FISTF General Secretary
Markus Schaaf
D-79042 Freiburg
GERMANY
FISTF Sports Director
Dr. Marco de Angelis
Haarhofe 9
GERMANY
FISTF Communication Director
Stefano Buzzi
Via Buonarotti 3
Fax: 00 39 24 80 12 714
FISTF Finance Director
Eric Benvenuto
Via Italo Svevo 42
Fax: 00 39 40 57 21 02
Americas contact:
Carlos Eduardo Botero, World Trade Centre- Calle 100, 8A-49 Of.
CompuServe:70451,1537
Fax: ++ 57 1 222 9298
Q: Are there any publications available and what do they cost?
A: Yes, there is an international magazine produced by the Profibase
team, called 'Profiflick News'. It's in both english and french. The
Q: What type of equipment is standard for Subbuteo table soccer
associations.
A: The following is an extract from the Official Rules and
Regulations of Sports Table Soccer, as published by FISTF in 1995?.
(1) The playing surface must be properly fixed to hardboard or
above floor level. The board must be level. No items shall be
attached to the board or its support that can cause any
obstruction to the game.
(2) The playing surface and the playing board must extend
outside the playing-area by 3 to l0 cms from the touch-line and
behind the back of the goal.
(3) The playing board must be surrounded by a fence of 2.5-5
cms in height and a maximum of 5 cms in width. Centrally behind
each goal there shall be a gap of 15-25 cms in the surround.
(4) In competition there shall be at least 100 cms of free
linesmen to perform.
(5) The playing pitch shall be made of cotton, wool or material
frayed or fluffy extrusions.
(6) The lines painted or printed on the playing-area shall not
be more than 3 mms in width and not interfere with the game by
affecting the run of the ball or deflecting playing figures.
The playing-area of the pitch shall be a rectangle. The length
cms. The width shall be marked by goallines maximum length 90
cms, minimum 70 cms. The playing-area shall be divided into two
equal halves by a center-line parallel to the goallines. There
touch-line and a center-circle of radius 9-12 cms, concentric
to the centre spot.
Each half shall be divided into two equal zones by a
the goalline. Each penalty-area shall be formed by two parallel
lines, 16-18 cms long and 44-48 cms apart, which are
equidistant from the center of the goalline. These lines shall
be at right angles to the goallines and joined at the ends to
form rectangles. There shall be a penalty spot in each
each touch-line.
the goalline. Each goal-area shall be formed by two parallel
lines, 6-7 cms long and 24-26 cms apart, which are equidistant
from the center of the goalline. The vertical goal-area lines
may extend behind the goalline to allow a more precise
circle of radius 2-3 cms concentric to the junction of the
touch- and goallines.
Rule 2: Goals
front posts are on the line. The goals shall be fixed
mechanically to the playing board.
each side, one or two back bars and a net, which must be
nterfere with the operation of the goalkeeper on the rod.
cms apart. The crossbar shall be fixed to the top of the posts.
The back bar or bars shall be positioned parallel to the
crossbar and 1.5 cms or 1.5 cms and 3 cms above the playing
mms. The distance from the goalline to the back of the goal
Decisions of the FISTF Board of Directors
to one or two bars at the back to prevent the player with the
nterfere illegally but also to allow clear judgment of a
correctly scored goal.
material that does not bend under any playing conditions.
Rule 3: Ball
The ball shall be 2.2 cms in diameter and 1.5 g in weight.
on their use. The referee must replace a broken ball
mmediately after the ball has stopped.
Decisions of the FISTF Board of Directors
For the time being, the Board of Directors considers the
Tango ball produced by Waddington Games Ltd. as the best
quality ball. Therefore, if opponents cannot agree on a ball, a
Tango ball shall be used.
Rule 4: The Playing Figures
The playing figures and the spare-goalkeeper but not the
must be firmly fixed to the base by fulfilling the following
(1) The base shall be maximum 0.7 cms, minimum 0.5 cms in
(2) The figure fixed to the base shall be maximum 1.3 cms,
minimum 0.6 cms at its widest point and maximum 0.6 cms in
thickness.
(3) The maximum weight of the playing figures shall be 2.8 g,
the minimum weight shall be 1.4 g. The maximum height shall be
(1) Each team shall consist of twelve (12) figures: ten (10)
field figures, one goalkeeper and one spare-goalkeeper. Each
figure of a team must be of the same composition. All figures
and the bases of a team shall have the same colour excepting
the spare-goalkeepers base which must be different in colour
from both teams. All figures must be painted or coloured.
(2) If two teams meet with identically or similarly coloured
bases, a coin shall be tossed by the referee and the player
losing the call shall change his/her team.
(3) The figure shall represent or symbolise a human body with
ts head, middle body and legs.
(4) The bases of the figures may be polished with any adequate
means. The figures may be polished before the game starts or
not interrupted, the player may also polish figures during the
taker, corner-taker, or if a figure has fallen off the
Damaged or broken figures may not be used and must be
match as long as the replacement playing figures are similarly
coloured and of the same composition. Figures can only be
corner-flick, flick-in, free-flick or after a goal has been
The following styles of figures are approved by FISTF. Further
by the FISTF Board of Directors before they can be applied in
any competition under the authority of FISTF.
Approved style dimensions:
a) 17-18 mms diameter of the base
b) 35-39 mms height of the figure including the base
The figure and the disc are made out of one mould.
Approved style dimensions:
a) 18-21 mms diameter of the base.
b) 28-31 mms height of the figure including the base
The figure and disc is made out of one mould. The legs of the
figure are not parallel, with one in front of the other.
Approved style dimensions:
a) 18-21 mms diameter of the base.
b) 28-31 mms height of the figure including the base.
The figure is fixed on a bar that is inserted into a slot in
the disc.
Approved style dimensions:
a) 18-21 mms diameter of the base
b) 28-31 mms height of the figure including the base
The figure is fixed on a knob that is inserted into a round
Approved style dimensions:
a) 18-21 mms diameter of the base
b) 28-31 mms height of the figure including the base
Approved style dimensions:
a) 21mms diameter of the base
b) 21mms height of the figure including the base
Approved style dimensions:
a) 21 mms diameter of the base
b) 35-37 mms height of the figure including the base.
Approved style dimensions:
a) 21 mms diameter of the base
b) 35-37 mms height of the figure including the base.
Rule 5: Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper shall consist of a figure and a base.
The goalkeeper must be firmly fixed to a rod by fulfilling the
following standards:
(1) The base shall be a maximum of 0.7 cms, minimum 0.5 cms in
(2) The figure fixed to the base shall be maximum 1.3 cms,
minimum 0.6 cms at its widest point and maximum 0.6 cms in
thickness.
(3) The maximum height of the goalkeeper figure shall be 3.9
cms, the minimum height shall be 2.7 cms.
The rod is fixed to the goalkeeper-figure at its base and is
a straight round rod up to 20 cms in length and 2mms in
cms in length, 4 cms in height and 3 cms in diameter.
The goalkeeper figure shall represent or symbolise a human body
coloured differently from the other figures and the
The goalkeeper may be substituted at any time of the match if
t is broken or damaged. If the goalkeeper is not damaged or
broken it can be substituted only when the game is interrupted
by a goal-flick, corner-flick, flick-in, free-flick or after a
Q: How do I get involved in Subbuteo?
A: FISTF has taken the view that the players must be the
nstigators in creating clubs, competitions and federations.
FISTF will do whatever it can to help these players once they
The first step is to find some equipment. In the United States,
the company Hasbro is the best contact point for information
about sales of Subbuteo equipment.
For sales of other items, such as metal goals, Sports and
Toccer figures, and cloth pitches, please contact the FISTF
Sports Director.
Q: Where do I see someone play?
A: In each country with a federation there should be a contact
name and number of the chief tournament organiser. This can be
obtained by contacting the FISTF Media Director.
___________________
History of Subbuteo
___________________
Basic History:
After the creation of the game in the 1940s, the first major
changes to the game occurred in the 1960 with the creation of
new Subbuteo figures. These were 00-scale, three dimensional
to the original 'flats' base, but which was hollow, and which
The game took off after this, as it was much easier to market
t as an attractive 'realistic' soccer game.
Literally every British schoolboy had a Subbuteo set. From
there, SSG set out to conquer the world. Immigrants took the
king, there was scope for Subbuteo to make inroads. In Italy
t became very popular, and it strengthened in the low
countries.
SSG unashamedly targeted the game at schoolboys aged between
During the 60s and 70s, more players started to hunger for
competition beyond their own school or street league.
SSG responded by staging district, county and national
competitions in the UK, and encouraged Subbuteo distributors
to do the same in their countries. In 1970 they staged the
first Subbuteo World Cup. Looking back it says volumes that 90
'Junior' event, while the Senior event was barely mentioned.
But this was a sign of the future. The 16-year-olds who
European Tablefootball Federation, independent of SSG. The ETF
entrant, while in the Europa Cup they could have two, and the
country whose player was the reigning champion could have
three. This meant that tough competitions such as in Belgium,
Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, provided 'ace' players
SSG was not too crazy about 'independent' associations and
tournaments.
When in the 80s they were bought out by the giant English firm
Waddingtons, they had even more money to control the
But the world federation FISA - Federation of International
Subbuteo Associations -- was a sham. It had no elected
officials, no directorate, no executive, no aims. Run by SSG
as part of Waddingtons, it did put on spectacular events such
as the European Championships and World Cups right through the
These were as much marketing exercises for the company as
competitive affairs.
What caused friction was exactly this marketing desire.
SSG wanted players to use the latest Subbuteo equipment, and
SSG tournaments then banned anything but 00-scale, while the
ETF continued to stage its tournaments allowing anything: some
long as the figures met qualifying criteria, they were
accepted.
The result of this was that in many countries, two federations
company or a distributor, and an independent federation,
usually aligned with the ETF.
The ridiculous thing was that such a small sport was
fragmented, with players unable or unwilling to pull together
for the common good.
While all this politics was going on, on the playing surface
there were tremendous changes -- some of which eventually led
to a great reconciliation.
The great problem with the 00-scale figures was that because
they were not as compact or aerodynamically streamlined as the
flats, they were not as accurate when trying to 'curl'. As
often as not, the figure would fall away from its intended
target.
Also, they were not as stable as the flats, again because they
But they LOOKED great! So many players persisted with them,
and struggled to play as best they could.
Then a genius, whose name is lost in the annals of the game,
much better, and he POLISHED the base of his figure, using a
This Italian player overnight revolutionised the game.
Suddenly the clumsy and inaccurate 00-scale figures became a
than clattering into it and misdirecting it.
making the figures better for shooting.
At the World Cup in 1982 the Italian players stunned the table
One of the most impressed people was the Swiss champion, Willy
Hofmann, who had been thrashed 7-2 in the semi-final by the
eventual winner, Renzo Frignani.
Hofmann went back to Switzerland, analysed what the Italians
Hofmann realised that what the 00-scale figures did best was
experimented with how far they could do this accurately, and
to just delicately touch the ball, teeing himself up for a
He eliminated 'speculative' curling flicks from his game,
away.
He also found that by re-setting the figurine top into the
base at slightly different heights, you could affect the
balance and controllability of the figure, without adding any
extra weight.
This allowed the figure to be flicked at the ball from the
base of diameter 2.5cm and the ball is about 3cm, the accuracy
needed is quite great, when you also consider there are
usually other figures in the area and there is also a
a shot at the ball from about 5 to 6 cm. Hofmann perfected 45
to 50 cm flick-shots which took everyone by surprise, not
least because the angles were so hard to defend.
the Europa Cup in Switzerland, then retained it in 1983 in
Haibach Germany, and 1984 in Verviers, Belgium. In 1985 he
lost the semi-final in a shoot-out, and in 1986 he lost the
q-final in a shoot-out. But in 1987 he was back, winning in
Birmingham, England, and 1988 in Vienna. In between he won
the world cup in 1986, then lost the semi of the 1990 world
cup, but made a vow to win the Europa Cup that year -- which
But more than just collecting trophies, Hofmann's greatest
figures. The Italians had led the way, but he opened up a
This meant that the era of the flats as 'king' was over.
be embarrassed by their activity.
More and more stayed in the game into their adult years, and
this provided a core of people willing to run the sport
themselves.
At the 1990 World Cup the first proposals were made for a
approval.
SSG at this stage was keen for this to happen, because there
their marketing department was not able to do both its proper
Football.
Still many people were not happy with Subbuteo being in the
title, as it seemed to imply control by the company.
As well, an SSG employee, nominally the representative of the
English Subbuteo Association, was also on the board.
'Sport' was included to better reflect the development of the
As well, in 1992 another firm began manufacturing table soccer
figurines for use in the game. These 'Sports' figures did not
nfringe any Subbuteo copyright and were quickly recognised by
Willy Hofmann to help design them, and the end result was that
t was like buying a set of Subbuteo figures personally
modified by Willy Hofmann!
FISTF decreed that any figure which met certain technical
criteria could be used in the game. So there have been
tournaments where flats, 00-scale, Sports and Toccer figures
But it is now recognised that for beginners, then Toccer
figures are great fun, and the Sports figures teach the basic
_________________
Glossary of Terms
_________________
Back - direction by the referee after a defensive flick has
touched either the ball or any playing figure. The attacking
Block - Flick made by the defender. It may not hit the ball
nor any other figure of either side.
Change - When a player misses the ball with a flick, or the
ball touches a figure of the opposing side, the referee shall
ndicate a change of possession by stating 'Change'.
Corner - when the ball crosses the goalline after last being
attacker's flick was a legitimate one - with the ball fully
nside the shooting area.
Distance - A request by the attacker at a free-flick,
flick-in, corner-flick when asking for opposing figures to be
moved the required distance from the ball.
Flick-in - When the ball leaves the sideline, the ball is
Flick-off - The start of the match.
Foul flick
- Illegal rebound - This occurs when a figure which is
flicked, hits the barrier around the board and returns to the
field of play and strikes either a figure or the ball.
- Illegal flicking - A flick taken when there was no right to
flick at the ball.
- Improper flicking - Flicking the figurine and not the base
of the figure, or committing a 'double flick' -touching the
base twice in the same move, rather than cleanly once.
- Insufficient flicking - failing to flick the ball the
- Blocked ball - a ball which is touching two or more figures
of the same team, and which must be cleared from all figures
- Excessive flicking - flicking at the ball with the same
figure four times in succession.
Foul position - Extending the goalkeeper past the goal-area
line. In the first instance, this is penalised with an
ndirect free-flick from the penalty spot. All subsequent
offences are penalised with a penalty.
Hands - When a player has two hands over the playing area at
the same time, other than when flicking one figure and holding
the goalkeeper's rod.
flick.
Limited flick - If the attacker needs to assume a position
behind the defender's goal to make a flick, which would mean
the defender has to relinquish his grip on the goalkeeper rod,
the referee signal's 'Limited Flicking'. This allows the
attacker to make the flick, but he must then wait and allow
the defender to have a defensive flick. A shot on goal cannot
be made during 'Limited Flicking'.
Offside - When an attacking figure which is fully inside the
figures, including the goalkeeper. An attacking figure which
s level to a defending figure is not offside.
Over count - When a player starts a match with more than 11
figures. The punishment is to remove the extra figures and
then an equal number from the remaining figures. Starting a
match with 12 figures means that you have 2 removed.
base was resting.
Tick flick - a Flick which can be called at any time by an
attacker to put on-side a figure which is off-side.
This is the END of Rec.Sport.Table-soccer FAQ7: Subbuteo
.
