The game involves the use of figures mounted on rotating rods to pull the ball towards the opponent’s goal. Foosball can vary in size, but a typical Foosball is about 120 cm (4 feet) long and 61 cm (2 feet) wide. This device consists of eight rows of foam men made of plastic, metal, wood or sometimes carbon fiber mounted on horizontal metal rods. Each team consists of one or two human players who control four rows of ridiculous men, players control the bars to control faces, use them to hold the ball, pass or hit. Games begin when the ball is placed through a hole in the side of the table or simply by hand in the center of the playing field.

In most laws, (using the palm of the hand to turn the bar quickly and hit the ball) is illegal. However, there are many variations of the rules – in some, the guard is allowed to spin, in others, until a goal is scored from a controlled position, spinning the bar after hitting the ball is allowed.