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Archive-name: sports/table-soccer/subbuteo
Rec-sport-table-soccer-archive-name: subbuteo Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 1996/09/25 Copyright: (c) 1995 Stephen Dettre URL: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/subbuteo.txt Version: 1.0b See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge 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 __________ Introduction __________ 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 http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/subbuteo-fistf-rules.txt The American Subbuteo Association's Rules of Play are archived at Foosball Heaven at http://www2.hawaii.edu/~uyeyama/asarules.html. These rules are slightly different from FISTF Rules. Note that although this file was written by the FISTF, If you play Subbuteo in the United States, please see the extensive resources of the American Subbuteo Association (ASA): 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 games 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: ________________ Part I Questions & Answers (Includes Rules of Play) Part II History of Subbuteo Part III Glossary of Terms __________________________ Part I Questions & Answers __________________________ Q: What is Subbuteo? A: Subbuteo is the brand name of a form of table soccer that was developed in 1947 by an Englishman by the name of Peter Adolph. His game was a refinement and development of a previous table soccer game that had been first introduced in 1920. That game was called 'NewFooty'. The common principle of both games was that small figurines with semi-spherical bases that were slightly flattened on the bottom were flicked at a ball to propel it forward and eventually into the opponent's goal. The defender had a goalkeeper, which was a figure which had a rod 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 were inserted into lead bases. This lead made them very hard to flick and they had to be spread around the pitch because they could not be flicked very far. As well, the figurines were all different, and they had to be used only in their correct position, ie. the left winger could only be positioned on the left wing and not used as a centre half. In 1947 Peter Adolph created his new Subbuteo game, using some of the new materials that started to be available after the war - plastic! His figures were hard cardboard inserted into a plastic base which was similar to the Keeling model, but more rounded. These figures -- known as 'flats' -- were the basis of the game right through until the 60s. Their aerodynamic shape allowed 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 day. If the player (player being the 'human') kept hitting the 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 defensive flick. With this flick you could not hit any other 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' was effected off the pitch. Deftness of touch allowed passing 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, which were available in abundance after the war. Another distinction of Subbuteo was that a player could only shoot at goal once the ball was in the end 'shooting zone'. The pitch was divided into quarters, and the end section was the shooting zone. 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 happened to be the English Hobby Falcon. The Latin name for this bird was Falco Subbuteo -- so Mr Adolph chose the name Subbuteo for his game. And the falcon has been on all Subbuteo products ever since, and most national federations at some time 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 players to encourage them to compete and draw others along. 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. Players can gain ranking points for success in these 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, 1996, 1998 etc) * The European Championships, staged every two years, in odd years * The Europa Cup, staged every year, for Club teams * International matches between national teams In world and continental championships there are six 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 point. A draw and a loss gives none. So the maximum score in an international is 4-0. Other possible results are 3-0, 2-0, 1-0, 0-0, 3-1, 2-1, 1-1, 1-0, 2-2. 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 inquiries, please contact the Media Director first, and you will be directed to the best section. The relevant addresses are: FISTF President: Raymond Kroonberg Rue du Buck 14 4210 Marneffe BELGIUM Ph: 00 32 85 71 20 46 (+fax) FISTF Vice President: Baudouin Heuninckx Avenue de la Chasse 195 1040 Bruxelles BELGIUM Ph: 00 32 75 77 38 19 Fax: 00 32 732 78 29 FISTF General Secretary Markus Schaaf Postfach 6621 D-79042 Freiburg GERMANY Ph: 00 49 76 18 63 47 FISTF Sports Director Dr. Marco de Angelis Haarhofe 9 59581 Warstein-Allagen GERMANY Ph/Fax: 00 49 29 25 48 83 FISTF Communication Director Stefano Buzzi Via Buonarotti 3 20149 Milano ITALY Ph: 00 39 24 80 10 908 Fax: 00 39 24 80 12 714 FISTF Finance Director Eric Benvenuto Via Italo Svevo 42 34145 Trieste ITALY Ph: 00 39 40 81 50 19 Fax: 00 39 40 57 21 02 Americas contact: Carlos Eduardo Botero, World Trade Centre- Calle 100, 8A-49 Of. 707, Bogot=E1, Colombia. CompuServe:70451,1537 Ph: ++ 57 1 226 9001 / 9029 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 price is 1.50DM, and 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. Playing Surface (1) The playing surface must be properly fixed to hardboard or similar material. It shall be a maximum 90 cms, minimum 70 cms 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 goalline. The playing board must not extend more than 3 cms 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 space around the table for the players, the referee and linesmen to perform. (5) The playing pitch shall be made of cotton, wool or material with fixed undersurface. The pitch cloth should be free of 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. 2. Playing-area. The playing-area of the pitch shall be a rectangle. The length shall be marked by touch-lines of maximum 130 cms, minimum 110 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 shall be a center-spot on the center-line equidistant from each touch-line and a center-circle of radius 9-12 cms, concentric to the centre spot. 3. Shooting-area. Each half shall be divided into two equal zones by a shooting-line, parallel to the goallines. The zone between the shooting-line and the goalline shall be called the shooting-area. 4. Penalty-area. In each shooting-area there shall be a penalty-area adjacent to 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 penalty-area, 12-13 cms from the goalline and equidistant from each touch-line. 5. Goal-area. In each shooting-area there shall be a goal-area adjacent to 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 positioning of the spare-goalkeeper for it to be used in the game. 6. Corner-area. In each corner of the playing-area there shall be a quarter circle of radius 2-3 cms concentric to the junction of the touch- and goallines. Rule 2: Goals 1. A goal shall be placed centrally on each goalline so the front posts are on the line. The goals shall be fixed mechanically to the playing board. 2. A goal shall consist of two posts, one crossbar, two bars on each side, one or two back bars and a net, which must be properly attached to the posts and the bars so that it does not interfere with the operation of the goalkeeper on the rod. 3. The posts shall be upright and parallel, 6 cms long and 12.5 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 surface. The posts and the bars shall not be thicker than 5 mms. The distance from the goalline to the back of the goal shall be 5-10 cms. Decisions of the FISTF Board of Directors 1. Each goal shall provide a clearly defined inner space thanks to one or two bars at the back to prevent the player with the goalkeeper pushing his/her hand towards the goalline to interfere illegally but also to allow clear judgment of a correctly scored goal. 2. The goals must be solidly constructed and produced of solid 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. Painted or marked balls may only be used if both players agree on their use. The referee must replace a broken ball immediately 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 1. Dimensions. The playing figures and the spare-goalkeeper but not the goalkeeper, shall consist of a round base and a figure which must be firmly fixed to the base by fulfilling the following standards: (1) The base shall be maximum 0.7 cms, minimum 0.5 cms in height and maximum 2.1 cms, minimum 1.6 cms in diameter. (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 3.9 cms, the minimum height shall be 2.7 cms. 2. Composition. (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 its 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 during the half-time break. However, providing that the game is not interrupted, the player may also polish figures during the game which he/she is able to pick up: any figures at a goal-flick or flick-off, or the flick-in taker, free-flick taker, corner-taker, or if a figure has fallen off the playing-board. 3. Substitution. Damaged or broken figures may not be used and must be substituted. Any number of figures may be substituted during a match as long as the replacement playing figures are similarly coloured and of the same composition. Figures can only be substituted if the game is interrupted by a goal-flick, corner-flick, flick-in, free-flick or after a goal has been scored. See Rule I.2.8 for positioning of replacement figures. 4. Figures The following styles of figures are approved by FISTF. Further designs of figures are to be presented to FISTF and authorised by the FISTF Board of Directors before they can be applied in any competition under the authority of FISTF. 1. Flats (produced since 1940s) Approved style dimensions: a) 17-18 mms diameter of the base b) 35-39 mms height of the figure including the base 2. 00-scale moulded style: (produced in 1960s/1970s) 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 3. 00-scale walking figure: (produced in 1950s/60s) 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. 4. 00-scale bar-figure: (produced in 1960s/70s) 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 5. 00-scale plug-figure (produced since 1980s) The figure is fixed on a knob that is inserted into a round hole 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 6. Sports figures Mark I (produced since September 1993) Approved style dimensions: a) 21mms diameter of the base b) 21mms height of the figure including the base 7. Sports figures Mark II (produced since October 1993) Approved style dimensions: a) 21 mms diameter of the base b) 35-37 mms height of the figure including the base. 8. Toccer figures (produced since February 1994) Approved style dimensions: a) 21 mms diameter of the base b) 35-37 mms height of the figure including the base. 9. All models of Profibase bases (produced since 1995) Rule 5: Goalkeeper 1. Dimensions of the goalkeeper-figure. 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 height and maximum 2.1 cms, minimum 1.6 cms in diameter. (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. 2. Dimensions of the goalkeeper-rod. The rod is fixed to the goalkeeper-figure at its base and is part of the goalkeeper. The goalkeepers rod shall be used with a straight round rod up to 20 cms in length and 2mms in diameter, excluding the handle. The handle should not exceed 10 cms in length, 4 cms in height and 3 cms in diameter. 3. Composition. The goalkeeper figure shall represent or symbolise a human body with its head, middle body and legs. The goalkeeper shall be coloured differently from the other figures and the spare-goalkeeper. 4. Substitution The goalkeeper may be substituted at any time of the match if it 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 goal has been scored. Q: How do I get involved in Subbuteo? A: FISTF has taken the view that the players must be the instigators in creating clubs, competitions and federations. FISTF will do whatever it can to help these players once they have shown an interest in playing competitively. 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 plastic figures, mounted on a base that was similar in design to the original 'flats' base, but which was hollow, and which had a metal washer added to give it some stability. The game took off after this, as it was much easier to market it 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 game around the globe, and then wherever soccer (football) was king, there was scope for Subbuteo to make inroads. In Italy it became very popular, and it strengthened in the low countries. In Malta it almost became the defacto national sport! SSG unashamedly targeted the game at schoolboys aged between 11 and 16. That was their market, and they were astonishingly successful at cornering it. 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 per cent of the publicity of the tournament was about the 'Junior' event, while the Senior event was barely mentioned. But this was a sign of the future. The 16-year-olds who previously had dropped the game as being for 'kids', kept playing as they went to university, got jobs, made contact with other countries and started to treat their 'game' seriously. In the 60s this had already happened, with the creation of the European Tablefootball Federation, independent of SSG. The ETF staged its own Europa Cup, considered by all table soccer players as the hardest event to win -- much harder than the world cup. At the world cup, each nation was permitted one 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 who provided tough opposition. SSG was not too crazy about 'independent' associations and preferred to control all promotion, organisation and tournaments. When in the 80s they were bought out by the giant English firm Waddingtons, they had even more money to control the development of the game. 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 70s and 80s and into the 90s. 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 while a majority of players did use the 00-scale equipment, 90 per cent of the top flight players still used the 'flats' which they considered superior for a more technical game. SSG tournaments then banned anything but 00-scale, while the ETF continued to stage its tournaments allowing anything: some players even hand crafted their own 'wooden' figures. But as long as the figures met qualifying criteria, they were accepted. The result of this was that in many countries, two federations were created: a SSG federation which was basically run by the company or a distributor, and an independent federation, usually aligned with the ETF. In some instances, namely Switzerland, Germany, Austria, there was one federation and it existed in both camps. 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 were not as compact. 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, decided that he wanted the figure to be able to be flicked much better, and he POLISHED the base of his figure, using a household cleaner. This Italian player overnight revolutionised the game. Suddenly the clumsy and inaccurate 00-scale figures became a potent weapon. With the deftness of touch, then figures could slide beautifully across the pitch to caress the ball, rather than clattering into it and misdirecting it. Players soon realised that combined with polish, if they added weight to the base they could affect the centre of gravity, making the figures better for shooting. At the World Cup in 1982 the Italian players stunned the table soccer world with their polished and weighted figures. 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 had done, worked on his own figures and launched his own devastating campaign on the world. Hofmann realised that what the 00-scale figures did best was slide in straight lines as a result of the polish. He experimented with how far they could do this accurately, and was surprised to find he could flick the length of the pitch to just delicately touch the ball, teeing himself up for a shot. He eliminated 'speculative' curling flicks from his game, preferring a 3/4 pitch long flick to a 2 or 3 cm curl. Possession became important: never needlessly give the ball 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 halfway mark for a shot. When you consider the figure has a 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 goalkeeper to beat. Most players preferred to get in close for 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. In late 1982, about four months after the world cup, he won 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 he did in Scotland. But more than just collecting trophies, Hofmann's greatest gift to the game was to show what was possible with 00-scale figures. The Italians had led the way, but he opened up a whole new realm. This meant that the era of the flats as 'king' was over. It also showed more and more players that the game could be a highly technical and tactical 'sport' and they did not have to 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 player run federation, taking over from SSG, with SSG's approval. SSG at this stage was keen for this to happen, because there were so many tournaments happening right around the world that their marketing department was not able to do both its proper job and help with administrative information on tournaments. In 1992 SSG decreed that FISA was dead, and a new federation was born - The Federation of International Subbuteo Table 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. In 1994, however, the word Subbuteo was removed and the word 'Sport' was included to better reflect the development of the game. As well, in 1992 another firm began manufacturing table soccer figurines for use in the game. These 'Sports' figures did not infringe any Subbuteo copyright and were quickly recognised by players as first class equipment. The company had approached Willy Hofmann to help design them, and the end result was that it was like buying a set of Subbuteo figures personally modified by Willy Hofmann! In 1994 the company brought out a new figure, Toccer, which did away with the slightly rounded base altogether. 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 have played against each other. It is impossible to say which is 'best'. A lot depends on the player and his/her technical level. But it is now recognised that for beginners, then Toccer figures are great fun, and the Sports figures teach the basic skills. _________________ Glossary of Terms _________________ Back - direction by the referee after a defensive flick has touched either the ball or any playing figure. The attacking player may accept the 'back' or may play on. 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 indicate a change of possession by stating 'Change'. Corner - when the ball crosses the goalline after last being played by a defensive figure or the goalkeeper, as long as the attacker's flick was a legitimate one - with the ball fully inside 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 returned to play with a flick-in. 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 required distance at a flick-off, corner-flick, flick-in or goal-flick. - Blocked ball - a ball which is touching two or more figures of the same team, and which must be cleared from all figures with the next flick. - 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 indirect 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. Interference - When a defending player deliberately places his hands across the line of sight of the attacker who is making a 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 shooting area is closer to the goal than two defending figures, including the goalkeeper. An attacking figure which is 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. Placing - when a figure which falls on its side, it shall be stood upright and placed as close as possible to where its 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 User Contributions:
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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:12 PM
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rec.sport.table-soccer FAQ7 - Subbuteo
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rec.sport.table-soccer FAQ7 - Subbuteo
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