'Be the 'change' in Foosball Episode 1: The Distraction Rule - Know your history.

Why are foosball matches like eulogies?

[@shopteacher8817]

Foosball needs more participants and exposure. Eliminating or modified the distraction rule could help with growing the sport. I run an after school foosball program for high school kids and it gets rowdy which adds to the fun, keeps them coming back, and generates buzz in the school.

[@alexchristensen8007]

I’ve always said, if you are calling a distraction because your eyes or ears aren’t on the table, that’s your own problem. You should be watching the ball on the playing field and that’s that.

[@KOMMKICKERN]

We support that: Make some noise for foosball ❤️

[@insidefoos]

For those of you wondering “where is the line?” This is managed quite well in other professional sports. If you shouldn’t say or do it in front of a TV camera with 1M people watching, you shouldn’t say it or do it at all. These boundaries are incredibly vetted. Finally, foosball should have never been “like chess”, it should have always been “like foosball”.

[@schwindsichtigaderechte5293]

I've got mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I learned to play in bars and smack talk, loud fake outs etc. were always part of the game there, and it doesn't really diminish the performance of good players. On the other hand, I appreciate that the distraction rule makes the game more polite and sort of honourable. Instead of abandoning the rule altogether, I think it should be a ot less restrictive though.

[@beatarcheologzt]

We play like this on Friday nights but in tournaments if someone is trying to be distracting especially when I'm shooting I'm calling a ref

[@gr637]

Interesting idea, but where and how do you draw the line in competitive matches?

[@rogierburlage]

I approve this message

[@sk8jim]

The no distraction rule did not once bother me or cause me to mess up in anyway. I had way more fun playing against a bunch of clowns instead of a bunch of mimes. Just because no distraction was legal doesn’t mean everyone you played against was talking the whole time.

[@bestplayeroftheworld7546]

"Interesting idea, but where and how do you draw the line in competitive matches?" I see the same issue - rules need clear borders! Special with words involved, there will never be a clear border ! To many different ways to say things ! There are players, who can increase the puls from the opponent +50 within 1 minute, using the right words ! Therefore ... its a bad idea ! 😉 P.S.: "know your history" ... history told, that foosball does NOT work with talking involved ... I "guess" exactly the reason, why this rule does exist !

[@rjaquaponics9266]

Anything short of climbing over the table should be legal!

[@fskplzen4735]

I dont really have opinion on this as I already started to play along with this rule. But it is a great feeling to kill the silence once you score.. dont you think?

[@WolfVdME]

I guess this is like 'sharking' in pool. It is considered bad form. But each individual is responsible for they own attention to detail and the game they are playing. If you are focused on your game, then nothing should distract you.

[@rjaquaponics9266]

Simple solution,,, mic up the contestants!

[@foosinaround8648]

Being in this sport for almost 40 years...when I'm playing....distractions aren't a thing for me...less you blatantly call my name in the middle of a match...and even then I'd stop the ball before(if possible) I would respond....we used to have a lot of fun talking smack playing pick-up games...watching the match a few years ago with Bobby Diaz and the HAT game...that was fun to watch as a fan of the sport....I welcome any distraction rule...maybe revise it a little

[@watchme1009]

You are comparing apples and cars. Imagine cheering in chess... This would be ridiculous. If you are a noob, you can cheer all you want, but deep concentration needs an environment that supports that

[@perfictlightning]

Funny he didn’t pull a basketball video of a free throw. I got a feeling there are rules against players distracting you there, and for good reason.