On this page concerning hobbies the same criteria of simplicity and self-design introduced on the first page will be maintained, and it will deal with everything relating to my hobbies: from all aspects of football, both social and technical (highlighting my liking for F.C. Barcelona and  R.C.D. Mallorca   and any other Spanish team participating in international competitions) to table football a game practised since my childhood and which always generates nostalgia, and everything related to the Balearic Islands on the Internet, which is one of my greatest hobbies, together with information concerning Five-a -Side for which I am referee.  Also, there will be links with these subjects and graphics and images of a personal nature will be inserted.  Send an E-Mail   giving your ideas and suggestions.

The two images are  compliment to  Alvaro Sobrino.In the adress  http://www.visual.gi

THE  TABLE FOOTBALL

 

Introduction	Structures
Table Football(Image)  My Philosophy of the Game  Other links with the Game   News  Mailing List	Tactics  The Changeover(The Pass)  The Central Pivot  Circulations  The Dragging
The Game	The Rules of Game

news://rec.sport.table-soccer  News will be found here relating to Table Football around the world.	NEW: The Table Football mailing list situated on the ISFA pages for all lovers of the game.  http:www.isfa.com/isfa/lists/futbolin  This section will provide a list of addresses relating to the game.
Participate.  Little by little we will turn it into a forum of debate and a meeting place on the Internet where comments and opinions on the game can be exchanged.	Subscribe.  It will be the newspaper for all those who love Table Football and who want to participate, via the Net, in news and debates relating to the game.

 

 Introduction: In order to assist al those who do not know the game of Table Football, this page will contain comments and ideas regarding practise of  the game, should they not already have this from previous years… For it has been demonstrated that players are not restricted to any certain age or sex and skill is directly related to practise and to the observation of great champions of this game, one which forms part of our culture.  From this page any player, enthusiast, or person just wishing to find out more about the game, and anyone related to the business of table football, is invited to note down any observations and suggestions, for it has been created to simply make a dream come true of seeing such a unique game incorporated into the web.  I hope to receive an abundance of messages in order to commence the design on this section.  Please direct any comment or observation to my E.Mail address:

                       This football table and the GIF animated image which concludes the paragraph are an attempt to open to debate the different techniques, and modalities of the game, the championships, and every other event related to the world of table football.  As these are the first steps taken on this page, all is still in a stage of infancy and I need a great many comments and viewpoints in order to develop this page in a useful, enjoyable way and one in which all lovers of the game will feel involved.E-Mail

 

THE GAME OF TABLE FOOTBALL

In this section the idea is to include references on the evolution of the game, its creation and practise and how it came to be.  It will give a step by step introduction to the different modalities of the game, from the materials and structures used to the techniques and skill most practised by experts in the different forms of the game, and offering a compendium of the rules which will be included gradually.  The section will be divided into 3: Structures,tactics and rules of game.

 

                   There are many different structures used in table football, both in the material used (for the players, for the very framework of the table, and for the game surface), and in the different designs (of players, structure, aesthetics, elaboration and manufacture…etc.).  This section will be used to detail the different forms of table football to be found, according to one region or another, or the different modalities and uses.

Figure 1    Figure 2      Figure 3	The Changeover(The Pass)   In this case, a “pass” is understood to mean the action carried out when the ball is in a player’s possession, displacing the same, either within the same line of players (see figure 1), or towards a more forward line, on most occasions (figure 2). The pass can also be made backwards, either to make a continuity of play, or as a tactical movement, or to effect more complex passes (Figure 3).  It is one of the most basic, but also most complex and necessary actions made in the game.  Those made within the same line of players are done so in order to move the ball and find a better shooting position.  If they are made on the forward line (when stopping is permitted) it is in order to shoot to goal, knocking out the defence and goal keeper of the opposing side, in combinations which vary from a simple displacement from right to left or vice versa, to a multiple of other combinations and repetitions from one to another side of the line of players.  Passes between lines are effected to move the ball across or to make the last combination between the half-back and forward lines to shoot at the goal.  These passes can be made at such a vertiginous speed that it is practically impossible to see the displacement of the ball.
Figura 4	The Pivot Central:    This is how I name the player situated at the centre of the halfback line (Figure 4).  To my way of understanding the game, this is one of the players on whom a great part of the game depends, both for attack and defence, for he can control a great deal of the strategy of the game, and also serve as a brake on that of the opponent, both in the game of pairs and individuals, both stopping and otherwise.  In later sections more will be said on this strategic player and the halfback line, which is one of the keys to the game..
Figura 5	Circulations:  Irrespective of whether the game is played allowing stopping or not, it is useful for the practicality and interest of the game that play is developed using most of the players and in the different parts of the field of play in order also to ensure that the adversary is not always expecting the same players on each occasion.  In particular, the end of lines are those who should be most seen to benefit when their participation is employed (Figure 5).
Figure 6    Figure 6 a	The Dragging:This is a figure only used in games in which the ball can be stopped and which, when well played, is practically impossible to stop due to the great variety of ways it can be carried out and the certainty of shot which can be achieved.  As can be observed in figure 6, it can only be carried out on those football tables on which the players have a foot base for it entails placing pressure against the surface of play, having the ball perfectly adhered to the feet when a skilful movement of dragging the ball can be executed, aiming it towards the goal.  There are 3 fundamental movement variants: The Basic (Variant A in figure 6ª), which can be played to the left or right.  The compound movement (Variant B) which is played towards one of the sides but at the end of the movement making a turn towards the opposite side to avoid the nearest defence.  And finally the multiple movement (Variant C), in which the basic and compound movements are mixed, as many times as the player considers necessary and the grip of the surface permits.  The versatility of this movement, together with its certainty, when its practice is possible, turn it into a useful arm.

                     This delicate section on table football will try to collect all rules of the game, without dogmatism and by explaining as much as possible all inclusions, in order to homogenise the rules to the maximum and to convert the section into a point of reference for players.  The section commences with inclusion of the basic rules to be followed wherever the game is practised.  Slowly new ideas will be added together with particularities of different places where the game is played.  We will begin with those rules which develop good behaviour and attitude on the part of the participants:

	One of the most common characteristics of new players is to allow the handles to spin round in order to hit the ball (roulette), which means that the game becomes an uncontrollable to-ing and fro-ing of the ball without achieving any dominion over it.  Veteran players will consider this out of place, but it is first necessary to detail what is definitely not allowed before discussing what is correct.  I like to compare the game of table football to football on a large ground,  and one cannot expect to see a player doing somersaults in order to kick the ball harder.  The play of football table players should be as similar as possible to that of humans.
	The use of one’s hands should be restricted solely and exclusively to the moment of  kick-off, to put a ball into play that has shot out of the mark of play and, in a final case, with the consent of both contestants in friendly matches, and under the supervision of a referee in competitions, to pick the ball up from a spot that is inaccessible to the table football elements and to re-commence the game, generally from the centre.  In some places in the area of the Rioja (Spain) and possibly also in other regions of Spain according to messages I have received, something known as “hacer la mosca” is practised which signifies catching the ball when it is in the air and aiming it, with the help of the hand, towards the opposite goal.  Personally I do not condone this practice in official games because of the need to employ as much dexterity as possible using the players, without having to fall back on the external element of the hand.
	This rule encompasses all non-sportive movements, strategies and practices which should be eradicated from table football.  Goodwill, sportsmanship, and education should reign in a game like table football.  Moving the table to unbalance it and make one’s adversary lose the ball, kicking-off without warning, shouting insults or gesticulating against one’s adversary, making brusque movements which move the table, lifting it in a show of anger…etc.  In short, circumstances which should not form part of the game and which must be corrected to make the game cleaner and more sportsmanlike.  Naturally, such behaviour must be reprimanded and punished accordingly if playing a competition game.

The different modalities of play practised throughout the world should be slowly included within a compendium of rules common to all players in order to establish steps to follow in any competitions organised relating to the game.  By making said rules and behaviour uniform one can thus avoid the player having to swim in a sea of doubts and prevent the spectacular nature of the game being spoilt by the use of unsuitable practices.  All suggestions will be well received, commented upon, and reflected for ensuing debate and reasoning in order to reach the understanding that should exist.  Later, these will then be extended with many more suggestions.

 

Table Football on Internet :

                    This section will refer to other places where Table Football is mentioned or its different name in other countries.  It must be emphasised that there are many variations of the game in North American and England which have different configurations on the playing area and many rules and where competitions are organised.  Although it is different from the Table Football that has developed in Spain, it can be considered as a development which has a life of its own and which can be easily related to that explained on these pages.
For those who enjoy research into table football they can commence their search in the most common areas, finding similar words, such as: Tischfussball spielen (Austria, Germany), Wuzin (Viena), Kurbein (Viena), Balankern (Kaernten), pöitäfutis (Finland), Tafel voetbal (Holland) Cadureguel-schulchan (Israel), calcio balilla (Italy), Calcetto (Italy), Stoini nogomet (Croatia), Comba (Malta), Fotball spill (Norway), Nastolnyi football (Russia), Tscüttele (Switzerland), Jöggele (Switzerland), Namizni nogomet (Slovenia), Asztali foci (Hungary), Csocso (Hungary), Table Soccer (England), Table Football (United Kingdom), Taca (Chile, South America), Foosball (USA), Foosing (USA), Futbolito, Babyfoot(France), Pebolim (Brasil),Matraquilhos or Matrecos(Portugal), Langirt (Turkey), etc… Information supplied by many enthusiasts who have entered their comments on the web and a very useful page found in Viena, Austira, by  Sascha Wiederkom.
               To commence searching for places on the web where they speak about the same, you can begin with Foosball.com, where a detailed explanation is given of how the game is played in Anglo-Saxon countries and from where one is given access to many other sites where the game is discussed, among whose addresses this very page is to be found.  Another interesting page with a multitude of links is in Hawaii and belongs toRobert Uyeyama, a great enthusiast who also speaks about the game and incorporates numerous places, ideas and suggestions.  

My Philosophy of the Game:  In this final section on table football I want to express how I understand it from my present perspective of the game.  Since I first became familiar with the game in my infancy and up to the present day, this game-sport, has passed through several phases which I would like to outline for many enthusiasts will see themselves reflected in them.  At the outset, many moons ago, when I was about 5 years old and from when I have some vague memories, table football seemed to me like the intriguing movement of a perfectly white ball which was hit without rhyme or reason across a table which had borders to prevent it from falling off, or which was swallowed by some black holes only to appear again and be played and hit again.  Then, as I started to grow and able to have a better view over the side of the table without needing to climb onto a stool to do so, I began to understand the aim of the game which was none other than, by means of the skilful hits of those, in principal mad players, threaded onto the bars,  to hit the ball into the opposing goal more often than your adversary.  In those days, style did not matter much, only effect, and the roulettes and other  tricks were the name of the day.  The games, which then cost one peseta, transpired amid laughter and jokes among friends.  Afterwards, although always accompanied by table football, adolescence arrived when style and the discovery of technique meant that practice of the game was an enjoyment and a continual challenge in order to demonstrate the possibilities of the game with friends and the rivals of the day.  The price of a game had risen to five pesetas and this is the period of my life when I played the game most often.  From 18 years onwards practise became only occasional.  The change in one’s personality, studies, girlfriends, the proliferation of “martians”, games at 25 pesetas….etc. all had their effect.  You had the odd game, practising your favourite moves with your friends if there was a table where you had arranged to meet for a drink, you challenged another enthusiast to an odd match… etc.  It seemed like table football had reached an end.  Faced with the plethora of slot machines, table football was no longer profitable and it began to lose ground.  These are the hardest days for those who experienced its boom; nevertheless, almost without realising it they slipped by.  But all that rises has to fall and the slot machine craze stabilises, occupying a place of privilege -one which it still has due to the wide range of possibilities offered, but….table football did not die a death…the price per game rose to 100 pesetas, and nostalgia for the past led today’s youth to a road of re-discovery an in many places its presence is still evident, and this is what these pages hope to achieve and increase, if at all possible.Between the age of 25 and now, one’s philosophy  radically alters,  If, when “young” you want to eat the world and you think you are the best, and try to prove yourself constantly, from 25 onwards you use table football as a means of distraction and a way of participating in a game with friends -something perhaps no other game offers.  A few championships are organised, you participate in dinners which end up with the habitual games while having a drink with friends, or after work on Fridays you have a game in the bar over the road to relieve tensions…etc.  That is to say, it changes from being a childhood game to being a competitive one in your adolescence to then being a means of distraction and leisure for the pure pleasure of enjoying it, as it is at the present time.  As for the future, well table football knows not years and I cannot say how I will develop it but I am sure that I will try and make it accompany me throughout my entire life, for as long as possible.  On the other hand, including a section of the page on my hobbies concerning table football has surpassed all my preconceived ideas and expectations.  From being a simple paragraph in the published pages, and thanks to the collaboration and backing by visitors, the section has grown and developed until reaching proportions which pleasantly surprise me each day.  I do not know how far we will get with our love of the game but what is clear is that what someone does out of passion and enthusiasm, is done practically without effort and it is when you look back that you realise what has been achieved.  My philosophy on the game and on life is always the same, to try to improve things daily, but to also enjoy what you do.

 

 

  

F:C: BARCELONA:                              Here will be related the history, both past and recent, of the Club, and comments on the team which may arise as a season develops.  Statistical data related to any of the F.C. Barcelona activities, preferably relating to Football, which is really the true support for the social and financial structure of the same.  As an introduction to this section I will name the team at the start of the 97/98 season:Goalkeepers:Vítor Baía(San Pedro de Alfurade,Portugal,15-10-1969)Hesp (Bossum ,Holland 31-10-1965) and Busquets (Barcelona ,Spain 16-07-1967). Defence: Ferrer (Barcelona,Spain  06-06-1970),Abelardo (Gijón ,Spain 19-04-1970),Sergi (Les Franqueses, (Barcelona), Spain 28-12-1971),Nadal (Manacor, Mallorca,Spain( 28-07-1966),Couto (Espinho, Portugal 02-08-1969),Reiziger (Amsterdam,Holland 03-05-1973),Celades (Barcelona, Spain 29-09-1975).Centre players :Guardiola (Santpedor (Barcelona),Spain 18-01-1971),Giovanni (Belem,Brasil 04-02-1972),Amor (Benidorm(Alicante),Spain 04-12-1967),Luis Enrique (Gijón ,Spain 08-05-1970),Oscar (Sabadell(Barcelona),Spain 26-04-1973),Amunike (Ezebodo,Nigeria 25-12-1970),De La Peña (Santander,Spain 06-05-1976),Roger (Sabadell(Barcelona),Spain 15-12-1976).Forward Players:Anderson (Goiatuba,Brasil 19-09-1970),Rivaldo (Paulista,Brasil 19-04-1972),Pizzi (Santa Fe, Argentina 07-07-1968),Figo (Almada,Portugal 04-11-1972),Stoichkov (Plovdiv,Bulgaria 08-02-1966),Dugarry (Burdeos,France 24-03-1972),Ciric (Belgrado,Yugoslavia 15-09-1974).

R.C.D. MALLORCA:                                   I could not leave out a section dedicated to the most emblematic Club of the city in which I live: Palma de Mallorca.  Here will be detailed statistical data, curiosities, decisive moments of the season, etc…in reference to the club and it may also serve to get to know further details on the same.  For the start of the 96/97 season the team has the following players: Goalkeepers:Roa,Kike y Xabier.Defence Players:Marcelino,Barbero,Carreras,Olaizola;David,Iván Campo,Romero,Paco Sanz,Soler,Engonga.Centre Players:Copado,Stankovic,Vidal, Eskurza,Mena y Valerón.Forward Players:Palinha,Stojilkovic,Monchu,Moya,Galvez y Amato.

Spanish Federation of Five-a-Side	Baleric Federation of Five-a-Side	Balearic Association of Five-a-Side Referees

 

Searchers /Curriculum Tony /Curriculum Paquita Family Worker Curriculum Paquita Office Worker / Table Football / Rubik Cube / Links Presentation / Hobbies / Send me an E-Mail-Suggestions and comments