Foosball Rods, Players, and Goalies Explained

Every pass, block, and shot runs through the rods and the players on them. Here's how rod types, handles, player designs, and goalie setups differ, and what each of our tables uses.

In this guide: Rods · Handles · Players · Goalies · Two shots to learn · Our tables compared · Shop foosball tables · FAQ

Solid, Hollow, and Telescopic Rods

• Solid steel rods. A single solid bar. Heavy and very stiff, they take a little more effort to move.
• Hollow steel rods. Steel tubes that are lighter, so they move faster for quick passes, blocks, and shots. Every Barrington foosball table uses hollow steel rods.
• Telescopic rods. An inner rod slides inside an outer one, so the rod never slides out the far side of the table. They're common on tables made for young children.

Diameter matters too. A thicker rod is stiffer and feels more solid in your hand. Our Competitive tables, the Allendale, Coventry, Richmond, and Irvine, use 5/8 in rods. Our Compact tables, the Brooks and Urban coffee table, use 1/2 in rods. On every table, the rods glide through bearings in the cabinet walls for smooth, quiet play.

Because our rods slide out the far side as you play, leave room around the table. Our guide What Size Foosball Table Do You Need? gives the room size for each table.

Handles

• Standard handles. Octagonal or round. Octagonal faces give a steady, non-slip grip for fast play. Every Barrington foosball table has octagonal handles, and the Urban coffee table's are solid wood.
• Performance grips. Ergonomic shapes, foam padding, or textured rubber, made for players who practice often and play hard.

Solid wood, octagonal. The Urban coffee table

Octagonal handles. The Richmond

Foosball Player Designs

Players differ in shape, weight, and balance. Each one changes how the ball comes off the foot.

• Robot-style players. A simple, sturdy figure with a square foot. The broad foot gives a predictable contact point, which makes it easier to trap the ball, stop it, and shoot straight. Every Barrington foosball table uses a variation of robot-style players.
• Weighted players. Extra weight puts more power behind each shot. The Coventry, Richmond, and Irvine have weighted players.
• Counterbalanced players. Weighted so they stay level when you let go of the rod, instead of swinging down. They stay out of the ball's path, so you can move to another rod without resetting the last one. The Allendale, Brooks, and Coventry have counterbalanced players.

Robot-style. A rounded figure with a square foot.

Counterbalanced. The silver players on the Coventry.

Three-Piece Players

The Allendale players are built in three parts: a back half, a front half, and a foot sleeve. The two halves close around the rod, and the sleeve slides over the bottom to hold them together. Every player goes on the same way, so setup is quick and even.

Three parts, one player. The halves close around the rod, and the foot sleeve locks them.

Player Feet

• Square feet. The American-style foot. Wide and flat at the front, it gives a predictable point of contact for traps, stops, and straight shots. Every player on a Barrington foosball table has a square foot.
• Rounded or toe-shaped feet. Common on French-style tables. The curved profile suits touch play: brush passes, controlled dribbles, and rolling shots.
• Textured feet. Ribs or cross-hatching molded into the foot add grip on the ball during traps, passes, and pin shots.

Player Finishes

Players come molded in a solid team color, or painted with faces, shirts, shorts, and socks like a real soccer team. Hand-painted figures, common on traditional European tables, show small brush marks that make each one a little different.

Painted. A full soccer kit, face to socks.

Hand-painted. Brush marks give each figure its own character.

One Goalie or Three

• Single goalie. The traditional European setup. One goalie, often paired with sloped corners that roll the ball back into play. Defense takes quick reactions and precise blocks.
• Three-man goalie. The goalie rod carries three players across the goal mouth. It blocks more shots, gets the ball out of the corners faster, and opens more angles for passes and bank shots, so games stay fast and new players can join in right away. Every Barrington foosball table has a three-man goalie.

On our 48 to 58 in tables, each team has 13 players on four rods: three on the goalie rod, two defenders, five midfielders, and three forwards. That's eight rods and 26 players in all.

Two Shots Worth Learning

• The brush pass. A finesse pass from the five-player midfield rod up to your three-player forward rod. Instead of striking the ball, you brush it with a light sideways stroke so it slides into a passing lane. It hides your timing and direction, and it's the backbone of a possession game.
• The snake shot. Also called the rollover. Pin the ball under the toe of a forward, then roll your wrist over the top of the handle to spin the rod and fire. It's fast and hard to read, and it can go straight, push, or pull from the same setup.

Our Tables Compared

Every table has a three-man goalie and two soccer-style foosballs.

Counterbalanced. The Brooks

Weighted and counterbalanced. The Coventry

Shop Foosball Tables

More Foosball Guides

• How to Choose a Foosball Table
• What Size Foosball Table Do You Need?
• Foosball Table Materials: Playfield, Cabinet, and Legs
• Types of Foosball Tables
• How Long Does a Foosball Table Last?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hollow or solid foosball rods better?

Hollow steel rods are lighter, so they move faster for quick passes, blocks, and shots. Solid rods are heavier and take more effort to move. Every Barrington foosball table uses hollow steel rods: 5/8 in on our Competitive tables and 1/2 in on our Compact tables.

What does counterbalanced mean on a foosball table?

Counterbalanced players are weighted so they stay level when you let go of the rod. They don't swing down into the ball's path, so you can move to another rod without resetting. The Allendale, Brooks, and Coventry have counterbalanced players.

How many players are on a foosball table?

Our 48 to 58 in tables have 26 players, 13 per team, on eight rods. Each team has three players on the goalie rod, two defenders, five midfielders, and three forwards.

Why do Barrington foosball tables use a three-man goalie?

Three goalies block more shots, clear the ball out of the corners faster, and open more angles for passes and bank shots. Games stay fast, and new players can join in right away.

Can I get replacement parts for my foosball table?

Yes. Every part is listed by number in your assembly manual. How to Find a Part Number in Your Assembly Manual shows where to look, and our support team can help you order it.